Hey Ken, thanks for your reply…..I’ll keep plugging at it…(river fishing that is) got to put in the time and effort to reap the bennies ….but I haven’t been out since I’ve last posted….well at least not out to the river that is-figure I take a break and do some lake fishing….back to the familiar so to speak….course why be locked into lake or river fishing…why not have the best of both…hmm..in any event I’ve got a couple of questions….now that its “minnow time” where do I get minnows ?? (aside from the bait shop) from what I’ve read on your site, I guess you can find em in the creeks or in calm areas out of the current…. (I hate sounding like a dumb-@#$%) but I’ve never done this type of fishing before so I gotta ask….any advice on where and how would be appreciated……speaking of which I followed your friend Bob Long’s advice and went out and bought some korker wading shoes………they’re GREAT!!! Thanks Bob… Till next time

Ed,
Seems like all the bait shops are closed or closing.
Freeman's in Yorkville, just east of Route 47 near the dam, is the only one left that I know is open.

Batavia Bait and Tackle might still be open, but I hear they are closing.

I used to seine all my minnows from a very small creek that flows through Glenwood Forest Preserve just south of Funway on the Route 25 side. If you go there, you'll see a small bridge over the creek near the parking lot. There's a waist deep hole near the bridge. Just chase all the minnows into this hole and scoop them up.

I hope that helps. It made sense while I was typing it.