COLUMN: Driftwood Outdoors: Hunting, fishing in November

Hunting in the Midwest peaks this month. Deer hunters enjoy the excitement of the annual rut. Wing shooters have pheasant, quail and grouse seasons open region wide. Waterfowl hunters are knocking down ducks and geese from the Prairie Potholes to the Ohio River Valley. It's certainly a special time of year to be a sportsman.

With crowds often minimal, open water fishing opportunities remain abundant. This time of year, river systems often are top angling destinations for everything from trout to catfish. While big waters remain open in the north, musky and walleye anglers are making final runs to favorite waters. Down south, reservoir anglers, who fish where ice rarely appears, are transitioning to cold water patterns.

November is the month we focus on giving thanks for our many blessings. As fishermen and hunters in the Midwest, we certainly have a lot to be thankful for.

Illinois – Heidecke Lake Hybrid Striped Bass (Wipers)

Heidecke Lake has produced numerous state records for hybrid striped bass, and it remains a top wiper water in the state. Located in Grundy County, about an hour from downtown Chicago, Heidecke Lake offers 1,300-acres angling opportunity. Wipers are stocked annually in the reservoir with many reaching weights over eight pounds. In the late fall, anglers watch for schools of baitfish on the surface. Once located, throw large shad-colored crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, and topwater lures into the ruckus, or troll spoons or heavy swim baits around the school. Floating live shiners under a bobber over old road beads and rock piles also produces.

Kentucky – Laurel River Lake Walleye

Walleye are a surprise species for many anglers who primarily target the robust bass populations at Laurel River Lake. But once clued into the fact that walleye are abundant in this gorgeous Eastern Kentucky mountain reservoir, anglers seek out these fine eating fish and do well. Walleye tracking studies conducted by the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife show wide distribution throughout the lake during November. Walleye frequent the timber-filled coves of Laurel River Lake. Trolling stickbaits, and drifting Lindy Rigs or nightcrawler harnesses on the outer edge of standing timber and along rocky points produces walleye this late in the year. The riprap along the Laurel River dam is a known walleye spot.

Michigan – Firearms Deer

It would be hard to find a sporting tradition more Midwestern than deer hunting in Michigan. This year, the Regular Firearms Season runs from Nov. 15 to Nov. 30. Michigan is full of public hunting opportunities, with much of the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula and most of the Upper Peninsula in public hands. Deer camps are a big part of the Michigan deer hunting culture. Campers and tents clustered together deep in a national or state forest are a common site. Hunters spread out and take stands over powerline cuts, clear cut forest areas and logging roads. Hunting and Thanksgiving go together like turkey and mashed potatoes. This special holiday revolves around food. Spending the morning or most of the long weekend in the deer woods makes perfect sense.

Missouri – Quail

Quail season opened Nov. 1 in Missouri and runs until Jan 15. Conversations with old-timers in coffee shops across the state would lead one to believe there isn't a quail left in the state. It is true that population numbers remain far below where they were in the 1970s and '80s, but the current situation isn't as dire as some believe. While naming a specific spot would cost me numerous friends, I'll attest there are plenty of quail to hunt on Conservation Areas, especially in southwest the north-central regions of the state. Missouri has a strong Quail Forever presence. Attending a local banquet or contacting local members is a great way to gather quail hunting intel.

See you down the trail…

For more Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcast on driftwoodoutdoors.com or anywhere podcasts are streamed.