
Table of Contents
Where is the best fishing in Illinois?
- Rend Lake, near Benton.
- Pierce Lake, near Loves Park.
- Lake Michigan, near Chicago.
- Lake of Egypt, near Marion.
- Clinton Lake, near Clinton.
- Lake Shelbyville, between Shelbyville and Allenville.
- Devil’s Kitchen, near Marion.
- Little Grassy Lake, near Carbondale.
Where is the best place to fish on a lake?
If you plan to fish on a natural lake, look for spots along the shoreline that contain patches of aquatic vegetation such as lily pads or reeds. Any areas where you notice a change in the type or thickness of vegetation are good spots to focus on.
Where are the fish biting in Illinois?
- Heidecke Lake. Heidecke Lake is a power plant cooling lake owned by Commonwealth Edison.
- Braidwood Lake. Braidwood Lake is a partially perched (elevated above the surrounding terrain to catch wind) cooling reservoir owned by Commonwealth Edison.
- Kinkaid Lake.
- Rend Lake.
Where is the best bass fishing in Illinois?
- Newton Lake continues to support a very healthy bass population in the 2-6 pound range, and bigger bass are caught on occasion.
- Braidwood lake is a small lake with ample shoreline access.
Where is the best walleye fishing in Illinois?
- FOX CHAIN-O-LAKES.
- SHABBONA LAKE.
- CLINTON LAKE.
- EAST FORK LAKE.
- KINKAID LAKE.
- EVERGREEN LAKE.
- PITTSFIELD CITY LAKE.
- OTHER WORTHY WATERS.
What’s the biggest fish in Illinois?
21. The largest fish ever captured in Illinois waters was a lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) from Lake Michigan in 1943. The fish weighed 310 pounds and was 7 feet, 11 inches long. 63 lb./6 oz.
What is the best bait for lake fishing?
Good natural freshwater fishing baits include worms, leeches, minnows, crayfish, crickets and grasshoppers. Freshwater bottom-feeders like catfish and carp are also attracted to cut fishing baits (cut-up bait fish) and prepared baits called dough balls. Planning to go fishing or boating soon?
What lake do you fish most of the time?
Lake Erie is one of the most popular fishing lakes in the US, attracting many fishing enthusiasts. The most prominent species of fish in the lake include perch, salmon, carp, pike and rainbow trout. The best time to fish the lake is early morning.
What is the best lure for lake fishing?
Soft Plastic Worm Baits One of the most all-around effective lures for freshwater fishing is a plastic worm. A soft-plastic worm is a slow presentation fishing tactic. You can crawl it on the bottom or swim it through the grass. Anglers of all levels and expertise can use a soft-plastic worm to capitalize on fish.
Where is the best crappie fishing in Illinois?
- LAKE SHELBYVILLE. Lake Shelbyville is an 11,000-acre reservoir managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- LAKE DECATUR.
- LAKE MATTOON.
- MILL CREEK LAKE.
- SANGCHRIS LAKE.
- LAKE TAYLORVILLE.
- CRAB ORCHARD LAKE.
- REND LAKE.
Where are the walleye biting in Illinois?
In Illinois, walleye are found primarily in large rivers and streams in the northern part of the state. The largest populations are in the Mississippi, Rock, and Kankakee Rivers. Smaller numbers occur in the Fox Chain O’Lakes region and in some strip-mine lakes.
Where is the best fishing on the Fox river?
In addition to the tailwater area below the dam, another exceptional fishing spot is located here. Immediately below the hydroelectric power plant on the west side of the river just down from the dam has been a hot spot for walleye, white bass, crappie, and channel catfish.
What is considered a trophy bass in Illinois?
Most anglers consider 10 pounds the benchmark for a trophy bass.
How do you catch a big bass in Illinois?
When bass are shallow, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and stickbaits are the most productive. As they move deeper, worms and jigs are among the top producers.
What bait is best for walleye?
Live bait can be highly successful for walleye, which usually involves still fishing, drifting, or trolling the bait. A bottom-bouncing rig or slip sinker is effective for drawing the walleye’s attention in clear water. The best choices of live bait include leeches, minnows, and nightcrawlers.
What is the limit on walleye in Illinois?
47) 14″ minimum length limit for walleye, sauger or hybrid walleye, either singly or in the aggregate, with no possession of fish greater than or equal to 18″ or less than 26″ in total length. There is a 3 fish daily harvest limit of which only 1 fish can be greater than or equal to 26″ in total length.
What is the rarest fish in Illinois?
The pugnose shiner is one of the rarest fishes in North America and should remain protected as an endangered species in Illinois. Since 1990, the pugnose shiner has been observed at only four lakes in Lake and McHenry counties in spite of intensive efforts made to find the species in all previously known localities.
Is night fishing legal in Illinois?
Fishing hours are the same as regular forest preserve hours: one hour after sunrise to one hour after sunset. 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. 3. Fishing is not allowed in designated Illinois nature preserves.
What is the biggest largemouth bass ever caught in Illinois?
Petrousek and I have had several discussions over the years about the Illinois record for largemouth bass. It is listed as 13 pounds, 1 ounce, caught by Edward Walbel on Feb. 15, 1976, from Stone Quarry Lake in Lake County.
What attracts fish the most?
Attractants: salt, fish slime, fish guts, fish extracts, human saliva. Possible attractants: milk products like cheese, coffee, garlic. Repellents: human skin oils, nicotine, bug sprays, sun screens, scented and perfumed soaps, any petroleum distillates like gasoline, marine grease, oil, diesel……..
What bait attracts the most fish?
Live (or natural) baits are anything alive or previously alive that you use to catch fish. Some of the best freshwater fishing bait include worms, leeches, minnows, crayfish, crickets and grasshoppers. Select good saltwater baits including sea worms, eels, crabs, shrimp, strips of squid, and cut-up pieces of fish.
Can you use hot dogs as fish bait?
He said there are a couple of different ways to fish with hot dogs. One involves a hook-and-bobber rig. “In the middle of the day or the hottest part of the day you can take the bobber off and allow the hot dog to sink to the bottom where you can catch catfish cruising the bottom for a meal,” he said.
What is the best lake fish to eat?
- Walleye. Walleye are a unique but popular gamefish sought after by every angler that has access to the cool waters they live in.
- Crappie.
- Catfish.
- Trout.
- Striped Bass.
What time of day is best for freshwater fishing?
Fish generally prefer early morning and evening sun to the bright midday rays. In midday, the surface temperature of the water is also hotter, forcing the fish to move deeper.