illinois fishing lakes

If you do not find the body of water you are looking for you can start a new Fishing Report Thread. Waterbodies listed in alphabetical order. Largemouth bass virus took a toll a few years back, and had a lasting impact on the population. Its fishing reputatio. As the lake warms, crappies transition toward shallow vegetation, which is quite abundant here. This 48-acre lake has a maximum depth of 17.4 feet and is connected to a large marsh on the north end. All across Illinois, there are numerous lakes and rivers that make for a fantastic fishing trip. They don't call it the Great Lakes region for nothing. Deadfalls litter the wooded shorelines of Cedar Lake, which produce lots of healthy bass. During the month of May, bass are either spawning, getting ready to spawn, or have just finished spawning in various parts of the chain, and this is a glorious month to fish here. $6.50. Expect to catch bluegill, crappie, and sometimes even walleye. Efforts include generous stocking of larger fingerling bass and planting large areas of water willow, lotus, and other vegetation in the lakes coves. 410 Campers Lane. Downed trees along the shore provide spawning habitat, as do cribs and brush sunk at various depths. Just about any lure can do the trick here when the bite is really cooking. Rend Lake (Franklin Co.) Jennifer Fortune Shirley/Flickr The crappie spawn works a little differently here, due in large part to the fact that the Corps of Engineers draws Lake Shelbyville down considerably in winter. It is currently maintained as an ambient lake and has fallen off many anglers radar since the plant closed up shop. The Fox Chain O Lakes spans about 7,100 total acres, and has a shoreline that stretches 50 miles. This 37-acre body of water with a depth of 18.5 feet has an island in the middle of it. Ample access is available throughNewton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, including boat ramps and bank fishing on both arms of the lake. Dunns and Spring lakes have some great spots too. General Headquarters 536 North Harlem Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 (view map). The river is controlled by a series of locks and dams, and just about every pool has excellent crappie options. Broad, fertile and mostly shallow, Crab Orchard Lake spans about 6,900 acres and is . The Johnson Creek Arm to the west is surrounded by Shawnee National Forest, which includes several recreation areas and an extensive trail system around the lake. Crab Orchard Lake has long suffered from excessive siltation. There are also several riprap-lined bridge crossings over the South Fork, which attract crappies in both spring and fall. Features a trailered boat launch for canoes, kayaks, rowboats, sailboats and boats with electric trolling motors. Grass beds, docks and boathouses, brush piles and rocky areas can all produce in springtime. Sangchris Lake is a 2,300-acre lake in the central part of the state, 3 miles west of Edinburg. The maximum depth of 14.9 feet is located in Lagoon #2; however, pockets of 10 feet or more can be found in most of the other lagoons. Popular sports fish species include Largemouth Bass, Coho Salmon, Brown Trout, Steelhead and giant Lake Trout. Bass anglers too often overlook Southern Illinois 2,750-acre Kinkaid Lake. The riprap along the face of the dam is also a good area to target, as are blowdowns along the banks and any of Crab Orchard Lakes several causeways. Riprap banks, weed beds, and woody cover throughout the lake have potential. Anglers catch lots of 2-pounders here every year. Turnip Patch Boat Launch Ramp. Fresh air and fresh brews abound in equal measure in the historic stretch from s Quick Trips Just a Train Ride Away Description: Powerton Lake was constructed and filled in 1971 by Commonwealth Edison Company. If you're planning a fishing trip to Illinois, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Carlyle Lake, Cedar Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, Fox Lake, Heidecke Lake, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Clinton, Lake Lou Yeager, Lake Of Egypt, Lake Michigan, Lake Shelbyville, Lake . Most Illinois anglers are aware of which lakes have the best fishing for largemouths. The sheer scale of the Mississippi River can make it an intimidating place to fish, but it also offers some of the best bass fishing in Illinois. May is the best time to target crappies with tubes and other small jigs in 5 feet of water or less. The Clinton Power Station pumps warm water into the South Fork of Clinton Lake, keeping it warmer than most Central Illinois lakes all winter. Using long 10-foot poles to dip minnows and jigs into the brush is a popular tactic that can produce non-stop bites in early May. There are a lot of reliable hot spots within these lakes, with some of the best crappie fishing taking place in and around the channels between the lakes. Spring is the best time if youre after a trophy. Ice fishing is permitted on the south lake; however, due to inflow from Poplar Creek no ice fishing is permitted on the north lake. DNR surveys have collected largemouths weighing 8 pounds, and bass over 18 inches make up a significant portion of the catchable population year after year. Lake of Egypt (Lake of Egypt) Rick Bradley/Flickr A place of pure paradise, Lake of Egypt is a reservoir that covers an expanse of 2,300 acres with 93 miles of shoreline and water depths that range from 18 feet to 52 feet. 4. taken by. Make it your own! The Fishing Boat Rental Page lists options for fishing boat rentals at some of these lakes. The fishing continues to be excellent through summer, when big bass often move a little deeper, but many stay within casting distance of bank anglers. Spring patterns start to take shape almost immediately after ice-out in March, and the fishing is usually excellent right through the spawn, which might not happen until May. Subscribe to our Newsletter. More Clinton Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, East Fork Lake, Evergreen Lake, Fox Chain O' Lakes, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Decatur, Lake Lou Yeager, Lake Mattoon, Lake Of Egypt, Lake Shelbyville, Lake Springfield, Rend Lake and Sangchris Lake are the most popular for black and white crappie. For numbers, you cant beat fishing the banks. Below the map is a list of major fishing lakes in Illinois. There is often excellent winter crappie fishing around deep brush piles and cribs in this arm. 2023 Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Eco-Friendly Hotels and GreenGetaways in Illinois, Five Champaign Restaurants Perfect for a Romantic Outing, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Clinton Lake State Recreation Areaoffers camping as well as bank and boat access. Illinois is home to several excellent smallmouth streams, of which the Kankakee River is almost certainly the best. Sangchris Lake is practically right down the road from Lake Springfield in Central Illinois. If you offer a guide service on any of these lakes please visit our Illinois fishing guidespage and consider adding your information. Designated ice fishing lake. Peak crappie and walleye fishing tend to coincide in springtime, so expect a mixed catch, especially if youre fishing with live minnows. Smallmouths and largemouths alike commonly dine on round gobies, and any lure that is even remotely goby-like is likely to catch their eye. Busse Reservoir North Pool is stocked only in the fall. Lake Of Egypt is a 2,300-acre lake in the southern part of the state, 3 miles northeast of Goreville. SEE MORE sunset today 6:31PM sunrise tomorrow 3:22AM moon phase Waxing Crescent This U.S. Try your luck at some of these major lakes and impoundments. During the busy season, aim to get on the water early and focus on the less-traveled area above the I-55 bridge. Its fish population is heavily influenced by the river. The lake also has diverse habitat, including weeds, brush piles, old roadbeds, and even flooded farm buildings inundated when this reservoir filled. The lake also warms up quickly in springtime, triggering an early spawn and making the lake less susceptible to the effects of passing cold fronts. The lake is part ofCrab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, so there is little development around the shoreline. Walk to Wrigleyville to take in the sights and sounds of the Chicago Cubs and explore the bustling new neighborhood additions like the Park at Wrigley and souvenir shopping at Addison & Clark. Each issue offers a mix of travel stories, stunning photography and timely trip ideas that make the most of each season. This spawning refuge is closed to bass fishing from April through June. Otter Lake is a 765-acre reservoir in west-central IL, 25 miles southwest of Springfield. This marsh has been designated a wildlife refuge and a Nature Preserve by the State of Illinoisno fishing is permitted in this area. Check out our guide to the top fishing spots and fishing trips in Illinois. In 1994 the Program was expanded statewide and now primarily consists of 1) free summer . 10. The lakes cover a decent amount of latitude, and the more southerly lakes in the chainFox, Nippersink and Pistakeeare the first to warm up. Northerly Island, a 119-acre island managed as a public park, is another great spot. Let's find an Illinois lake to explore. Vendor List. While fishing might not be the first thing people think about when they think about visiting Chicago, there are a surprising number of charters along beautiful Lake Michigan where you can get your fishing fix. In the mean time enjoy reading all about Cook County. *Boat rentals, bait and other fishing supplies available. The Great Lakes consistently offer some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in America (along with some highly underrated largemouth action), and Illinois portion of Lake Michigan is no exception. Night fishing is only allowed at Deep Quarry Lake at West Branch Forest Preserve and you must be out of the preserve by 11 p.m. Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Areaoffers camping, bank fishing, and launch facilities convenient to Gun Creek and the 154 Bridges. Lake Marie Kelly Drafke Radzevich/Facebook One of the best lakes in Illinois, this one is very busy during the summer, so if you're hoping to get some fishing done, experts say to visit on a weekday. And although there have been changes to this lake in recent years, its future as a bass factory looks bright. of Maple Lake-East Mountain Bike Staging Area, Crabtree Nature Center Barrington, IL 60010, Green Lake Family Aquatic Center Calumet City, IL 60409, Maple Lake-East Mountain Bike Staging Area, List of Accessible Canoe Landings and Boat Launches, Illinois Department of Natural Resources website, Clear Air, Clean Water, and Wildlife Habitat Protection Referendum, Let Nature Be Your Muse and Inspire Artistic Creation, Forest Preserves of Cook County Offers Endless Summer Possibilities, Nature Express Bus Provides Free Rides to Nature, Chicago Botanic Garden and Chicago Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo. The Best Fishing Spots in Illinois. Crab Orchard Lake. You are in The smallmouths often turn on in a major way in early fall, so try a faster-moving lure at this time. Lake Lou Yeager is a 1,300-acre lake in the central part of the state, 2 miles northeast of Litchfield. Shabbona Lake also freezes over most years and provides some of the best ice fishing for crappies in Illinois. A little over 90 minutes west of Chicago, Shabbona Lake offers a great fishery in which black crappies are most common. The Forest Preserves, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources,stocks a number of lakeswith sport fish on an annual basis. From then on, the spawn works its way south along the lakeshore, and anglers should do the same, hitting every little creek and cove with downed trees and flooded brush. Lake Taylorville is a 1,300-acre lake in the central part of the state, 2 miles southeast of Taylorville. Kinkaid Lake is a 2,700-acre lake in the southern part of the state, 5 miles northwest of Murphysboro. The action picks up first at the lakes northern end, where the water warms fastest in the springtime because it is shallower and more turbid. Arrowhead Lake is a 13-acre body of water with a maximum depth of 12.6 feet. Egyptian Hills Cove has some sunken remnants of an old roadbed and bridge that often holds crappies (as well as some giant catfish), and nearby Eagle Point Bay and Bethlehem Bay can also be excellent at times. The purpose of this map is to help you locate major fishing waters in the state of Illinois, along with travel routes. check gas prices $5.99 Whole Roasted Chicken Horsetail Lake is 12 acres and has a maximum depth of 19 feet near the east end. Though the lake is privately owned, public access is allowed to fish for bluegill, largemouth bass, and crappie. Quite a few of these fish measure 15 inches and weigh 2 pounds. Lake Carroll is a 630-acre reservoir in the northwest corner of the state, 2 miles north of Georgetown. The DNR has sunk Christmas tree cribs marked with white buoys, but anglers have placed even more structures. The coves north of the Highway 13 bridges offer great structure and provide some of the best spring bass fishing. In both cases, anglers do quite well targeting stickups and fallen trees. Lake Shelbyville is an 11,000-acre lake in the east-central part of the state, at Shelbyville. Family Fun, SEE MORE sunset today 6:38PM sunrise tomorrow 3:25AM moon phase Waxing Crescent Sun times displayed in Mountain Daylight Time. The ambient eastern arm is worth a shot this time of year, but it suffers from siltation and lack of plant life, and the bass fishing simply isnt as good as in the middle and western arms. The Burnham Harbor Boat Ramp is a popular public launch site here. From here on, the gradient increases, the water gets clearer, and the bottom is predominantly bedrock and cobble, along with some deep, sandy pools. The money you spend on fishing . Sometime around May or June, the best bass fishing shifts from the Warm Water Arm over to the Cold Water Arm, where weed beds provide outstanding summer bass habitat. Rivers and Creeks. As a general rule, largemouths will inch closer to the current when water levels are low but will seek out the most protected areas they can when the river is up. To know more, check out the best fishing lodges in Illinois, USA. Though its a relatively small reservoir at just 476 acres, Jacksonville Lake produces some seriously big bass. April 05, 2020, Home Spring inland trout fishing season opens at sunrise on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Axehead Lake (Park Ridge), Belleau Lake (Des Plaines), Sag Quarry-East (Lemont), Horsetail Lake (Palos Park) and Green Lake (Calumet City). Among other great resources, the Fish & Wildlife Service provides detailedmaps of each poolwithin the refuge. Designated ice fishing lake. Sangchris is also one of a handful of Illinois lakes offering black nose crappie, a particular strain of black crappie originating in Arkansas. Autopilot support can be enabled during 'Goto WayPoint' and 'Route Assistance'. Rent ski boats, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, WaveRunners, and much more to fully embrace the lake life and take a break from fishing. From there up to the Wisconsin state line, a series of locks and dams controls the Mississippi. The grass beds around Buttermilk Hill and the main lake islands are some of the most reliable spots. Tucked away in the farmland of Southeast Illinois, 1,750-acre Newton Lake has consistently ranked among the best largemouth lakes in the Midwest for decades. North Wolf Creek Road. No ice fishing allowed at this location. Works with the Esri JavaScript API, ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Online and more. Designated ice fishing lake. Located near Devils Kitchen Lake is Honker Hill Vineyard, a family-owned winery and vineyard which offers an array of semi-sweet and semi-dry wines produced from homegrown grapes. Okuma Releases Ceymar "A" Spinning Reels For 2024, A Passion for Setting Records: Four World Records, Two on Rapala Lures, 10 Father's Day Tips for Dads Who Love Fishing, St. Croix Customer Appreciation Day Planned for June 17, Rapala Glass Shad Raps Available in New Color Combos, VMC Hard Ball Jigs Now Available in Three New Sizes, Catch More Bass This Summer Texas-Rigging. Pink Salmon. In summer, weed beds grow prolifically in the clear water, and working a buzzbait or crankbait over the tops of the vegetation is a great tactic. Broad, fertile and mostly shallow, Crab Orchard Lake spans about 6,900 acres and is quick to warm in springtime. Devils Kitchen Lake is an 810-acre reservoir at the southern tip of IL, 8 miles southeast of Carbondale. Sangchris Lake State Parksurrounds the entire reservoir and provides an abundance of easy access. The Forest Preserves provides land and financial support to the Chicago Botanic Garden and Chicago Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo. Rend Lake is located in Southern Illinois and is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. What it does have is a lot of riprap, which was placed along the banks to slow erosion. If youre looking to get away from the water, check out the historical sites that Springfield offers like the Air Combat Museum or the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. Fishing hours are the same as regular forest preserve hours: one hour after sunrise to one hour after sunset. Marion, Illinois is home to the beautiful 810-acre reservoir known as Devil's Kitchen Lake, where rainbow trout, yellow perch, and largemouth bass are among the fish that settle here. Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us. The chain lakes are arguably best known for walleye, but they also offer outstanding bass fishing. Non-Resident Commercial Fishing Device Tags A. A valid Illinois fishing license is required for ages 16 and older. Lake of Egypt is less than 10 miles to the south, and Rend Lake is just over 25 miles north, but don't overlook Crab Orchard. The aforementioned Monroe Harbor is a perennial hotspot, with ample access via theLakefront Trailand a continuous network of public parks, piers and docks along the shoreline. A lot of bass tournaments happen here, and the Illinois side of Pool 13 is minimally developed, with a maze of channels and sloughs waiting to be explored. Shoreline laydowns are common along wooded stretches of the banks, and boat docks line some of the more developed sections. This is arguably the best place to target smallmouth bass in Illinois. Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine. Evergreen Lake is a 925-acre reservoir in the central part of the state, 5 miles north of Bloomington. So be sure to check the current regulations before you hit the water. Many of these areas are loaded with stumps, brush, flooded trees, and other prime crappie cover. Annual and new events at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources parks, natural areas and historic sites. All waters within the Forest Preserves are designatedfish preserves andeach fisherman is limited totwo lines with no more than two hooks per line and no trolley lines. When you see riprap on the banks, its a safe bet that it continues for some distance beneath the surface. 14.4 oz. Located near the southern end of Lake Springfield is Baymont by Wyndham Springfield, a cozy lodging option that includes an indoor-outdoor swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, in-room kitchens, and it even welcomes pets. For a hyper-local experience, Jasones Bed & Breakfast & Restaurant is a great option. The fall months bring a lot of big bass back into the harbors again. Largemouths favor areas that are near, but not directly in, the main current of the river. Its accessible by bank and by boat throughSpring Lake Campground. It should come as no surprise that the middle fork is the place to be during the cooler months. The state park section has a ton of excellent access, with walking trails along the riverbanks and convenient parking areas. Largemouths reliably follow shad toward the western arm of the lake (usually referred to as the Warm Water Arm) throughout the cooler months. The best bass fishing is above the confluence with the Illinois in Grafton. Shabbona Lake is a fairly small lake at 316 acres, which makes it relatively easy to pattern. Fishing charters like Why Knot Chicago Fishing Charters, KingFisher Charters, and Skyline Fishing Charters all dock off of Belmont Harbor and take you on daylong excursions into Lake Michigan to catch a variety of salmon, trout, and more. Cedar Lake is known for excellent numbers of largemouths but also shelters some real monsters, as a 10-pounder weighed in a 2022 tournament shows. But Kinkaid also supports a healthy population of largemouths, and catch rates among anglers who target them are consistently good. Lake Springfield is a 3,850-acre lake in the central part of the state, on the southern outskirts of Springfield. This reservoir just outside Springfield has been an up-and-coming crappie lake for some time and is finally coming into its own. Twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, rainbow trout are stocked. Vendor List. Lake of Egypt has numerous coves, and many of them are loaded with great crappie cover. A fourth pond is located to the west, but is located on private property. Boat rentals, bait and other fishing supplies are available at the Boating Center. The Forest Preserve Foundation supports the mission and goals of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Get Inspired Johnson Creek Recreation Areais one of the better fishing and boating areas within the national forest. Campgrounds, fishing piers, and half a dozen boat launch sites are available. Activities. Lake locals and visitors alike love to hang out at Macks Lake of Egypt Marina, where you can rent a pontoon boat or just settle in for snacks and drinks. Bass often stay surprisingly shallow in summer, and prime areas include boat docks and the shallow, shore-facing edges of weed beds. Several privately owned marinas offer launch facilities on the lake. The sheltered, weed-filled waters of Burnham Harbor, on the land-facing side of Northerly Island, is a haven for largemouths. Rend Lake is a 19,000-acre lake in the southern part of the state, at Whittington. Post Fishing Report The state of Illinois has abundant fishing opportunities. Lincoln Park Zoo is a great way to spend an afternoon for individuals and families alike. The warm water discharge from the Newton Power Station has historically supported abundant gizzard shad and created an extended growing season for bass. And dont forget about big river-dwelling crappies. Sangchris Lake offers both white and black crappies, with increasing numbers of both species over 12 inches. From fishing to boating to cruising on a jetski, there are an array of activities to fill a day on Lake Springfield. Constructed in the 1920s, this 60-acre lake drops down to 20.4 feet in the northwest corner. The Forest Preserves manages over 40 waterbodies for recreational sport fishing. 4 min | 1027 words They don't call it the Great Lakes region for nothing. Whether youre on the hunt for Granny Smiths or Honeycrisps, these Illinois orch Trails and Ales This West-Central Illinois reservoir has been quietly building a reputation as a great bass lake since the 1980s, when it underwent a massive rehabilitation project to improve the habitat and quality of the fishery. Illinois Lake Map Downloads Download a specific PDF of one of the lakes featured in our newly revised Illinois Fishing Map Guides and eBooks with color contour lake maps, stocking and survey data, lake data, and fishing tips from local experts. Reduced power plant operation has also had a positive effect in that summer bass fishingonce very challenging due to hot wateris greatly improved. Additionally if you are interested we do have Illinois GPS fishing numbers. The water is fairly clear, and weed beds are abundant. 0 Reviews. One of the largest lakes in Illinois, Lake Shelbyville is an 11,100-acre impoundment of the Kaskaskia River in the east-central part of the state. Boat rentals, bait and other fishing supplies are available at the Boating Center. At 457 acres, Busse Reservoir is one of the largest fishing and boating waters in Cook County. Warm water discharges into the middle arm, and then cycles back to the plant via the western arm. Grab brunch at Hutch American Bistro for their chilaquiles and chicken and waffles, or at Yolk for their inventive eggs Benedicts. The pace of the fishing picks up from March into April as the rest of the lakes warm up, and bass get into the spawn. Skokie Lagoons is a system of seven lagoons connected by channels on the Skokie River. Three bump-outs are located off the parking lot that allows fishermen to access deeper water. Use the above map to locate these bodies of water and find the best fishing lakes in Illinois. Features a trailered boat launch for canoes, kayaks, rowboats, sailboats and boats with electric trolling motors. Stroll through the vineyard and enjoy live music on weekends. Governor Bond Lake is a 760-acre reservoir in south-central IL, 2 miles north of Greenville. In addition, anyone required to have a valid State fishing license must have a valid Illinois Inland Trout Stamp when fishing for trout within on designated trout lakes. Plastic worms and spinnerbaits are top lures. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Illinois offers some truly exceptional bass fishing. However, at this writing, the recovery is well underway, and anglers have been catching more and bigger bass of late. Step back in time to the golden age of train travel and settle in for a peaceful ride to discover some of Illinois most charming towns and hidden treasures. Online. The park offers multiple boat launch sites, fishing piers, and bank fishing spots, and camping is also available. The period from late winter into early spring is prime time to fish for crappies around sunken cribs and brush piles, of which Rend Lake has many. As the lake warms up, crappies will inch toward shallower water, usually relating to timber and sunken cribs as they gradually approach spawning areas. Lake of Egypt produces a lot of 5-pound bass and occasional 10-pounders. Walk-in access only. A long, narrow V-shaped reservoir in DeWitt County, Clinton Lake offers some of the best crappie fishing in Central Illinois.

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