- 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 can I catch smallmouth bass in southern Illinois?
Although the Kankakee is a large river, it’s very fishing friendly. From the town of Bourbonnais to its junction with the Illinois River, it is good smallmouth water.
What are the 5 major lakes in Illinois?
- Lake Michigan-Huron – Largest Lake in Illinois.
- Lake Michigan – Second largest lake in Illinois.
- Carlyle Lake – largest body of water wholly contained within Illinois.
- Rend Lake – the second largest artificial lake in Illinois.
- Lake Shelbyville – is rimmed with fingers and coves in Illinois.
What is the cleanest lake in Illinois?
Lake Le Aqua Na Has The Clearest Water in Illinois.
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 smallmouth bass fishing?
Lake Erie – Lake Erie received more first-place votes than any other fishery in any category. It is undeniably the best smallmouth fishery in the United States.
What is the best month to catch crappie?
The best time of year to catch crappie is during the spawning season which takes place from February-May. During the spawn, both male and female crappie move from deep locations into shallow and concentrated spawning areas. This makes them very easy to target, as they are actively feeding and defending their nests.
What is the best bait for crappies?
Jigs and minnows are often the best baits when fishing for crappie. Because of the diverse diets of crappie, they can be caught in many different ways, making them an excellent species for almost any angler to experience using their favorite technique.
Why is crappie not sold in stores?
Why Is Crappie Not Sold In Stores: Crappies are wild species, and it is illegal to harvest wild species and sell them to restaurants or stores for commercial sale. So if crappies are harvested or caught, it is illegal to sell them in stores or restaurants.
Where is the clearest water in Illinois?
Lake Le-Aqua-Na is a manmade lake known for having some of the clearest water in Illinois. The water is so incredibly pristine due to good watershed practices. The lake has 1.4 miles of wooded shoreline. You cans find a variety of tree species around the lake including oak, hickory, and walnut.
What are the 3 largest lakes in Illinois?
- Covering an impressive area of 11,000 acres, Lake Shelbyville is the third largest inland lake in Illinois.
- Rend Lake is the third biggest lake in Illinois.
- Measuring an area of 26,000 acres, Carlyle Lake is the largest man-made lake in Illinois.
- Lake Michigan is the largest lake in Illinois.
Are there any natural lakes in Illinois?
More than 2,900 lakes, 84,000 ponds and 3 large reservoirs are found in Illinois. Besides some lakes that were naturally formed through the actions of glaciers thousands of years ago and oxbow lakes, the remainder of these water bodies are manmade.
What is Illinois largest lake?
Carlyle Lake is a 25,000-acre (101.2 km2) reservoir largely located in Clinton County, Illinois, with smaller portions of the lake within Bond and Fayette counties. It is the largest man-made lake in Illinois, and the largest lake wholly contained within the state.
What US state has the most lakes?
Alaska is the state with the most naturally formed lakes, containing 3,197 lakes and over 3 million unnamed lakes. Many of the lakes are unnamed because of the size of Alaska and the remote nature of much of the state.
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 is the biggest bass 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 bait is best for smallmouth bass?
- Blade Baits. Fishing blade baits for smallmouth is an excellent cold water technique, but can also be very effective during the warmer months too.
- Small Soft Plastics.
- Jigs.
- Jerkbaits.
- Crankbaits and Spinnerbaits.
- Topwater Lures.
What Lake has the most smallmouth bass?
Forming part of the Trent-Severn Waterway system that links Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay/Lake Huron, this fishery is world-renowned for its population of smallies. Many anglers believe Simcoe to be the best place in the world to catch a trophy smallmouth bass.
What Lake has the biggest smallmouth bass?
The world’s largest smallmouth came from Tennessee’s Dale Hollow Reservoir and weighed a whopping 11 pounds, 15 ounces. In California, we are now knocking on the door at 9.82 pounds, the California state record from Pardee Reservoir.
Do you use a bobber for crappie?
What month is best for bluegill fishing?
Spring and early summer is the best time to catch bluegills because they gather in the shallows to spawn, become very aggressive, and are easy to catch. Wade or boat within easy casting distance of the nests with a small lure or bait just below a small bobber.
What time of day is best for crappie fishing?
In the case of crappie, the best time to catch them is during their feeding time, which is most frequently between the hours of midnight and 2 am. Additionally, during dawn and dusk can be good times to catch them, with many of them also feeding during these twilight hours.
How deep do you fish for crappie?
Crappie like to spawn in areas of shallow water, usually around 2-to-4 feet deep, with cover such as brush, flooded timber or weeds, and with easy access to deeper water.
What color jig is best for crappie?
Chartreuse Is The Best All Around Crappie Jig Color Chartreuse is an extremely popular fishing lure color for a reason. Not only does it look like a fish underwater, it also works in both clear and stained water. Chartreuse is a color you definitely need in your arsenal.
What is the best size hook for crappie fishing?
An Aberdeen #2, 4, or 6 hook makes one of the best hooks for crappie fishing. It’s long shank and light-wire style make it the perfect choice for crappie.