So today I went to a town called Kinsman IL. Ride was about hour south and west of Joliet. I had work I had to do out there. I took 55 south to Gardner Exist then 15 mile east. I seen alot of creek access and talking with my client out there. Fishing is good in these creeks. He had a huge smallie mounted on the wall. I asked him when he got this and he said last year right up the road. He also says no one fishes the creeks out here because there is just not that many people out here. Kinsman has a population of 129 people.
This is where he caught the smallie with a bobber and worm.

The creek is called waupecan creek
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v ... an%2C%20IL

Next was Johnny Run Creek. This was was nice and clear all creeks I saw were not iced over either
i could not find much info on this creek. But looks like it branches off of the Mazon.
Fish-Habitat or spawning grounds for rare or ecologically significant fish species; habitat supports an unusually wide diversity of fish species(found this info on the link on the bottom)

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v ... an%2C%20IL

Then this is the Mazon West fork and look like it was a hidden Gem
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v ... an%2C%20IL

This is where the east and west mazon fork and had nice access
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v ... an%2C%20IL

ALso this was access on Pine Bluff Road for the Mazon and IL. I do not know if this is private it said something about migration birds?
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v ... an%2C%20IL

Cool Creek Info on the areas
http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/n ... es/il.html

Too much to read today. I'll have to come back.
I have all the topo maps of that area. Got them about 10 or 12 years ago when I was doing some exploring around there. Thought I would do a lot more, but then concentrated on the Fox.

Johnny Run does feed into the Mazon.

Fished Pine Bluff Road back then. Hooked the biggest soft shell turtle I've ever seen, with a top water, in the back.

I've fished the stretch along Mazonia a few times too back then. Caught the only Warmouth I've ever seen in Illinois from that stretch.

Too much info for today.

I live in Dwight which is about 7 miles south and 5 miles east of Kinsman. I play golf at the course west of town and fish in the creek there. The creek flows into the area you pointed out in the 2nd aerial. Caught lots of smallies there last year and hope to again this year. Jay

When gas was $1 to $1.25 a gallon I wouldn't think twice about heading to further places.

I miss being able to do that. I need a car that can hold a 1 piece 7 foot rod and get 60 miles to the gallon.

I hear ya, include into the list of wants the time to actually do something like that. If i lived closer it would be doable.

I envy the guys that live close to hidden gems like that. I even envy Ken for living so close to the Fox. I'm 15 minutes away and still don't feel like I get in enough time there.

... ooohhhh.... epiphany strikes. I feel a blog entry creeping into my fingers wanting to be born.

I've got to find the time to get into a creek this year.