Fished LaSalle taoday from 1 to 6, Sunny with winds from the E/SE at about 5-15 mph. Biked over to hot water side, threw rooster tails, shad raps, and twister tails with only 1 taker (11" largie). Wind then started blowing a little gustier from the south, so fished south side of center dike, picked a couple of smallies (12" & 15"). Now for the fun part, in deciding to fish the center dike ran a cross a couple of geese. No problem, just walked them down aways, till i ran out of room & "had" to pass them. So I hopped on my bike rode passed, while one ran along side me (ticked off of course). Then 3 more start coming up from the sides of the dike hissing and such, the last one decides to play chicken with me (I won). One even flying after me a bit. Now I'm freaked out. Get passed them and fish for another 20 or so minutes (picked up my bigger smallie there), then decide to head home. Packed up my gear and strapped it down for the upcoming "gauntlet of geese." Got up a full head of steam up & charged through all the hissing & running geese. I get through them all, turn around & one's airborne about 10 feet behind me. Nearly ran me off the dike, as I took the look back. Ran into the caretaker/intendant guy on the bike ride in. He says that they have nests out there, eggs should be hatching in 3-4 weeks??? Said that they broadsided a couple of people already. So, for all the newbies (including myself) going out to LaSalle soon, stay away from the center dike or take extreme caution. Especially for those foggy/steamy days days out there. Didn't see too much otherwise, most people I talked to said they were catching a few but with no size. Saw a guy take home a few catfish probably about 14". By the way all fish released.
Question for all the regulars out there (LaSalle):
1. Is this a new "problem" at LaSalle with the geese? I've read reports of bank anglers fishng down to 500, but I don't remember reading about people running into them. Were they there when the shuttle was around?
2. Is cleaning of your catch allowed on premises? Many catfish/bullhead carcasses on rocks.
Thanks and good luck,
RAM
Question for all the regulars out there (LaSalle):
1. Is this a new "problem" at LaSalle with the geese? I've read reports of bank anglers fishng down to 500, but I don't remember reading about people running into them. Were they there when the shuttle was around?
2. Is cleaning of your catch allowed on premises? Many catfish/bullhead carcasses on rocks.
Thanks and good luck,
RAM