Summer is the season of road trip adventures. This is the time of year to focus on taking the kids in your life outdoors. Many of my best outdoor memories were made with my parents, but my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins also invested in taking me out in nature. All these years later, I am beyond grateful they took the time to take me fishing and camping each summer.
All across the Midwest, we are fortunate to have easy access to simple pursuits that build outdoor passions in the next generation. Finding new places to enjoy the outdoors is an exciting way to explore the states around us, while enticing kids to engage with nature. This list includes a number of destinations and activities you might consider this summer.
Illinois – Farm Pond Fly Rod Bluegills
Farm ponds abound in Illinois and bluegill swim in most of them. With many of these small waters having banks clear of brush, they provide perfect locations for fly casting. Farm pond fishing for bluegills is especially conducive for beginner fly fishers. Many mistakenly believe fly fishing is reserved for trout in the Rocky Mountains. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Fly fishing is a fun way to catch most fish species, but it’s hard to match the excitement of having a big bluegill viciously attack a fly on the surface. And, it doesn’t have to be complicated. All you need for bluegill is a 4, 5 or 6 weight fly rod and reel combination with a floating line, leader and few flies. You can’t go wrong with Wooly Buggers, terrestrial patterns like ants and spiders, and poppers.
Iowa – Cedar River Catfish
The Cedar River runs across the northeastern corner of Iowa and is widely recognized as a solid catfishing destination. Many anglers venture out during the night for catfish this time of year. Eric Frantz, owner of Edith Lucielle’s Bait Shack & Wing Depot in Cedar Rapids, where one can pick up a catfish sandwich and a dozen nightcrawlers in at the same time said, “The Cedar River is where the local folks go for the big ones.” With a limit of 15 fish and no length limit, an angler can fill a freezer pretty fast with a good haul from the Cedar River.
South Dakota – Prairie Dog Shooting
Prairie dogs are found across most of the central and western parts of South Dakota. According to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, the population is stable, but measures are often taken to reduce numbers on private lands. Marshall Springer, co-owner of Buffalo Butte Ranch, said, “We offer a full-service prairie dog shooting experience exclusively on private lands. We set shooters up on towns others can’t access.” Prairie dogs can be shot on public lands, too. There is no season, no limit and no restricted shooting hours. Tribal lands may also offer prairie dog shooting but must be contacted independently.
Kentucky – Laurel River Lake Bass
If you like to fish beautiful waters, then Laurel River Lake is known as one of the most pristine in the Bluegrass State. It’s deep, clear and surrounded by the hardwood hills of the Daniel Boone National Forest. The scenery may be worth the trip alone, but the bass fishing will keep you coming back again and again. Laurel River Lake is home to three black bass species: spotted, smallmouth and largemouth. A bass assessment conducted by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife showed the length of a 3-year-old largemouth bass averaged 13.5 inches. When compared to other lakes of similar size, this is considered to be excellent growth for largemouth bass. Meaning, this is where you find big bass.
Michigan – St. Joseph River Smallmouth
Flowing 200 miles along the Michigan and Indiana border before its confluence with the “Big Lake”, the St. Joseph River offers topnotch angling for smallmouth bass in an area of the Midwest easily accessible by many urban dwellers. Chicago, Grand Rapids, Detroit and Toledo are all within an easy drive. Big enough for power boats but still safe to canoe, the St. Joe is really one of those rivers that offers it all. Whether you are a fly angler or a spin fisher, August is a great time to get out on this river to chase smallmouth early in the morning and late in the evening.
See you down the trail…
Brandon Butler
driftwoodoutdoors@gmail.com
Pic: Summer is the time to hit the road for outdoor adventure with kids.
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