Chain O Lakes State Park comprises not only one large lake but a multitude of interconnected smaller lakes. Try your luck at some of these major lakes and impoundments. Illinois Department of Natural Resources The eastern portion of the lake is part ofKinkaid Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area, which offers camping, fishing piers and boat ramps. This 1.5-acre pond, next to the Trailside Museum of Natural History parking lot, is an old oxbow of the Des Plaines River and is prone to flooding. Fishing - Fishing | Lake County Forest Preserves There are no statewide size limits or closed seasons on bass in Illinois. The stunning foliage around Devil's Kitchen Lake sets the tone for a relaxing getaway. Lake Carroll is a 630-acre reservoir in the northwest corner of the state, 2 miles north of Georgetown. It should come as no surprise that the middle fork is the place to be during the cooler months. Tons of movement. Both are abundant in bass and catfish. Lakes and Reservoirs. From the sprawling impoundments of Southern Illinois to the rambling rivers and natural lakes farther north, its almost impossible to exhaust all of the Prairie States bass fishing possibilities. *Boat rentals, bait and other fishing supplies available. A valid Illinois Fishing License with an Inland Trout Stamp is required to fish the Forest Preserves trout lakes. Fresh air and fresh brews abound in equal measure in the historic stretch from s Quick Trips Just a Train Ride Away The Burnham Harbor Boat Ramp is a popular public launch site here. The Best Fishing Spots in Illinois. All across Illinois, there are numerous lakes and rivers that make for a fantastic fishing trip. Anglers catch lots of 2-pounders here every year. Crappies in Shabbona Lake have a reputation for their excellent growth rate, so expect to catch healthy fish in every size range. The DNR has sunk Christmas tree cribs marked with white buoys, but anglers have placed even more structures. Crappies seek out the shade of dense vegetation during the warmest time of year, and the edges of milfoil beds at 6- to 15-foot depths are productive, especially weed beds that coincide with a main lake point. Rend Lake has a ton of buck brush along its shorelines, and anglers will find crappies in and around the brush, often right up against the banks. Fishing is not allowed in designated Illinois nature preserves. Fishing in Illinois Illinois Fishing Reports, Maps & Hot Spots Those who enjoy fishing in Illinois provide the resources vital to Illinois' fisheries. Its probably also because Kinkaid Lake is known more for other things, like being one of the best muskie lakes in Illinois. Shad are a big part of crappies forage in Kinkaid Lake, and anglers often catch the biggest crappies on live shad. The Marion area is chock full of wonderful restaurants like Tequilas Mexican Restaurant, which offers authentic Mexican cuisine and live music, and 17th Street Bar and Grill which boasts renowned barbecue (were talking Food Network accolades, people!). Site-specific state fishing regulations apply. Illinois is full of natural lakes that are brimming with bass, catfish, bluegill, walleye, and a variety of other species. Fishing Lakes . Heidecke Lake State Fish & Wildlife Areaincludes a boat launch on the lakes south shore, with a pair of rocky breakwaters around the harbor. But Kinkaid also supports a healthy population of largemouths, and catch rates among anglers who target them are consistently good. The Fox Chain is a group of naturally occurring glacial lakes in Northeast Illinois consisting of nine major lakes and a handful of smaller lakes. Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine. More Carlyle Lake, Clinton Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, Fox Chain O' Lakes, Heidecke Lake, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Shelbyville, Lake Springfield, Newton Lake, Rend Lake and Sangchris Lake are favorite options for channel, blue and flathead catfish. The boat launch closes from roughly October to April each year to accommodate migrating waterfowl. Activities Creal Springs, Illinois 62922. Watercraft are not permitted north of 131st St. and fishing is prohibited north of the power lines. Two bump-outs are located on the eastern shoreline. Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Areaoffers camping, bank fishing, and launch facilities convenient to Gun Creek and the 154 Bridges. Designated ice fishing lake. Bass over 5 pounds arent exactly common, but neither are they rare. When youre surrounded by 70,000 acres of wild and wonderful, theres no better place to feel free. When you see riprap on the banks, its a safe bet that it continues for some distance beneath the surface. Fishing Lakes Forest Preserves of Cook County Forest Preserves Breeding Program Video. Southern Illinois Power Cooperative owns Lake of Egypt. Plastic worms and spinnerbaits are top lures. Guide To Boat Launch Ramps On Fishing Lakes In Illinois Pool 13 of the Mississippi River stretches about 34 miles from Lock & Dam 12 near Bellevue, Iowa, down to Lock & Dam 13 near Fulton, Illinois. Sangchris Lake State Parksurrounds the entire reservoir and provides an abundance of easy access. in 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. They tend to suspend just a few feet off the bottom, and the best presentation is a live minnow on a small Aberdeen hook beneath a slip float. Lake Taylorville is a 1,300-acre lake in the central part of the state, 2 miles southeast of Taylorville. There is often excellent winter crappie fishing around deep brush piles and cribs in this arm. Jacksonville Lake is a great place to work your way along the banks, methodically flipping soft plastics under docks and around trees. Upcoming Events. However, at this writing, the recovery is well underway, and anglers have been catching more and bigger bass of late. The Forest Preserves, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources,stocks a number of lakeswith sport fish on an annual basis. 4. There is also a bank access site at the east end of the lake with a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier. Activities. Fishing Near Chicago - Forest Preserves of Cook County 4 lbs. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are both present in the lake, with smallmouths being the dominant species. Largemouths here are healthy and abundant, and 44% of bass measured in a 2020 survey were 16 inches or more. Places to Fish - Fishing - Illinois.gov Anglers have miles of riprap and bulkheads to explore here, as well as reefs, sunken wrecks and piers. Check with Nature Centers, Campgrounds and other facilities for specific hours. Due to heavy erosion and sedimentation from Thorn Creek, the game fish population is quite sparse, made up mostly common carp and bullhead. Heidecke Lake is a 2,000-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, 2 miles east of Morris. Whether you're looking for a Memorial Day fishing trip or a week-long vacation, soas long as fishing is on the itinerary, Illinois is perfect for a getaway. Rend Lake is located in Southern Illinois and is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Carlyle Lake, Cedar Lake, Clinton Lake, Coffeen Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, East Fork Lake, Fox Chain O' Lakes, Heidecke Lake, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Michigan, Lake Of Egypt, Lake Shelbyville, Lake Springfield, Little Grassy Lake and Rend Lake are considered the best options for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. Family Fun, Illinois is home to several excellent smallmouth streams, of which the Kankakee River is almost certainly the best. Smaller numbers of largemouth bass, bluegill and green sunfish are also present. Country Inn & Suites offers complimentary breakfast and is just a quick drive from Lake Springfield. They thrive in lakes large and small all over the state, particularly in lakes that have lots of weeds and woody cover. The sheltered, weed-filled waters of Burnham Harbor, on the land-facing side of Northerly Island, is a haven for largemouths. This small, 12-acre lake is one of the deepest lakes in the Forest Preserves, with a maximum depth of 31.6 feet. Printed fishing guides are available at theForest Preserves General Headquartersin River Forest, IL and all sixNature Centers. Backs of coves are key areas to look for big bass in spring, with most fish shifting to main lake areas in summer. Bass often stay surprisingly shallow in summer, and prime areas include boat docks and the shallow, shore-facing edges of weed beds. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Though its a relatively small reservoir at just 476 acres, Jacksonville Lake produces some seriously big bass. Head south for a quiet fishing getaway. Brush piles in the 8- to 15-foot range are good places to start early in the year, as crappies wake up and get ready to make their way toward the shallows. Home 0 Reviews. Stay near Belmont Harbor at one of Chicagos boutique hotels for a true neighborhood experience. Downed trees along the shore provide spawning habitat, as do cribs and brush sunk at various depths. 70 Water: 58 Weed Beds Hit the little pond today. Quite a few Illinois lakes have produced bass over 10 pounds, and anglers have a real shot at 5-plus pound largemouths on any given day. 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. Hours Forest preserves are open every day from sunrise to sunset. Lake Shelbyville (Shelby Co.) Anne Swoboda/Flickr This lake has over 11,000 acres, spanning 120 miles of shoreline. There are also several riprap-lined bridge crossings over the South Fork, which attract crappies in both spring and fall. Jig-and-pigs around shoreline cover are top producers early in the year. Shabbona Lake also freezes over most years and provides some of the best ice fishing for crappies in Illinois. These areas often attract a lot of crappies in springtime, as they tend to have dark bottoms that warm up fast. Lake Carlton, Morrison-Rockwood State Park - Illinois Fishing Reports Please note: not all species are found in all waterbodies. Constructed in the 1920s, this 60-acre lake drops down to 20.4 feet in the northwest corner. Its one of Illinois oldest reservoirs, and as the lake has aged, the DNR has taken a variety of steps to help stabilize and improve the bass fishery. February is a great time to take advantage of the warm water. Anglers have been catching some nice crappies from 2,321-acre Sangchris Lake in recent years. Summer might be the best season to fish for smallmouths in the Kankakee River. The topwater bite is often excellent, with buzzbaits and Zara Spooks being favorite lures. No ice fishing allowed at this location. Try suspending a shad beneath a slip float around trees and brush. 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. Twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, rainbow trout are stocked. Description: Powerton Lake was constructed and filled in 1971 by Commonwealth Edison Company. Perhaps most importantly, the lake is also loaded with standing timber in both deep and shallow water. The lake also has riprap banks, flooded fence lines and stumps, sunken Christmas trees, cribs, and other cover. Designated ice fishing lake. 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. Visit the Illinois map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations. *Kayak rental with accessible landing available for registered campers only. Theres a strong case to be made that Illinois is the best state for crappie fishing in the Midwest. 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. Peak crappie and walleye fishing tend to coincide in springtime, so expect a mixed catch, especially if youre fishing with live minnows. There is a great county park at the north end of this lake. Fishing within the campground (along the southwestern shoreline) is restricted to registered campers only. taken by. This is arguably the best place to target smallmouth bass in Illinois. Sangchris Lake is a 2,300-acre lake in the central part of the state, 3 miles west of Edinburg. Features an accessible trailered boat launch for canoes, kayaks, rowboats, sailboats and boats with electric trolling motors. Casting crankbaits around downed trees is a good approach in springtime. Vendor List. Largemouth bass virus took a toll a few years back, and had a lasting impact on the population. *Features an accessible trailered boat launch for canoes, kayaks, rowboats, sailboats and boats with electric trolling motors. Warm water discharges into the middle arm, and then cycles back to the plant via the western arm. Warm water from the plant discharges into the lakes eastern arm, so its no surprise where most anglers try their luck in winter. At 457 acres, Busse Reservoir is one of the largest fishing and boating waters in Cook County. E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, east of I-290/Hwy 53, S Arlington Heights Rd, south of Landmeier Rd, E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, west of N Arlington Heights Rd, W Doty Ave S, southeast of E 130th St & S Ellis Ave, Torrence Ave, north of 159th St/River Oaks Dr, S Willow Springs Rd/Flavin Rd, north of 107th St, 95th St, west of Willow Springs Rd/Flavin Rd, S Brainard Ave, east of S Burnham Ave/S Ave O, 107th St, west of S Willow Springs Rd/104th Ave, S Willow Springs Rd/104th Ave, north of Calumet Sag Rd/Rte 83, Forest Preserve Dr, north of W Sauk Trail, W Irving Park Rd, west of N Cumberland Ave. The water is generally low enough to allow easy wading, and top spots include the heads of pools, rocky banks, bedrock ledges and any structure like a boulder or log that creates a current break. It's a full-service lake offering fishing, camping, swimming, archery, hunting, boating, golf, and a number of other amenities and activities. State fishing license required for ages 16 and older . Regulation Information - Illinois Fishing | eRegulations Activities, Newton Lake is a power plant cooling reservoir. Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to # . 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. This is also one of Illinois best muskie lakes, so dont be too surprised if something bigger and toothier takes your bait. Accessible fishing areas include accessible parking, a paved path to the shoreline, a hard surface along the shoreline, and railings along portions, or all, of the hard-surfaced shoreline. Numerous launch sites are available around Rend Lake. Carlyle Lake is a 26,000-acre reservoir in the south-central part of the state, at Carlyle. Governor Bond Lake is a 760-acre reservoir in south-central IL, 2 miles north of Greenville. This area is made up of several ponds connected by small channels and totals 12 acres. 8 lbs. Lake Shelbyvilles bass fishing has had its ups and downs. The west lake is 14 acres with a maximum depth of 10.3 feet. Kincaid Lake is a superb fishing resource for several species, including largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, walleye, and muskie. 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. Ice fishing is permitted on the south lake; however, due to inflow from Poplar Creek no ice fishing is permitted on the north lake. That might be partly because it lies in a region littered with great bass lakes. The popular (and free!) If you're looking for flathead catfish and bigmouth buffalo, this is your place. 2. This small, 1.8-acre pond has a maximum depth of 7.5 feet and is occasionally influenced by Poplar Creek. Fresh Picks Subscribe to our Newsletter. The reservoir features more than a dozen bank fishing and boat launch sites, most maintained by theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This website may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission. 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. *Boat rentals, bait and other fishing supplies available. The total acreage for the entire lagoon system is 242 acres. This 16-acre lake has a maximum depth of 9.9 feet. The Downstate area has an abundance of large, fertile reservoirs where crappies thrive. If you offer a guide service on any of these lakes please visit our Illinois fishing guidespage and consider adding your information. Gills all up in the shallows. Crab Orchard Lake. Features accessible fishing area. 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. Fox Chain O' Lakes comprises 990 acres in the northeast corner of the state, at Fox Lake. The same factors that make Sangchris Lake excellent for crappie also have turned it into one of Illinois better bass fishing lakes. There are also several bridge crossings and extensive lily pad fields at the upper end of each arm worth exploring. These 10 Amazing Spots In Illinois Are Perfect To Go Fishing The best walleye bite is often right before dawn, and the best crappie bite is right after. Features an accessible fishing area on the barrier free fishing pier. A fishing pier is located on the east side of the lake, and four bump-outs are located in the southwest corner. Several privately owned marinas offer launch facilities on the lake. PDF Inside - I Fish Illinois As the lake warms, crappies transition toward shallow vegetation, which is quite abundant here. Illinois has 575 miles of river frontage along the Mississippi Riverthats more than any other statewhich forms its entire western border. The east lake is17 acres and has a maximum depth of 17.1 feet Designated ice fishing lake. In both cases, anglers do quite well targeting stickups and fallen trees. Private boats are prohibited on Maple Lake. Crappie are relatively unpressured this time of year. Grab brunch at Hutch American Bistro for their chilaquiles and chicken and waffles, or at Yolk for their inventive eggs Benedicts. Smallmouths earn their fair share of attention too. The city of Jacksonville provides access, including aboat ramp on the north shoreand camping and bank fishing areas. Four bump-outs off the parking lots allow access to deeper water. Its fish population is heavily influenced by the river. Illinois is home to some of the top fishing spots in the nation including Lake Michigan, Lake Shelbyville, Illinois River and Mississippi River. Some bigmouth buffalo here are well over 20 pounds. Powerton Station was constructed in the 1930s, but greatly expanded in 1971. But these 10 Illinois Bass lakes see little fishing pressure. 10 Illinois Lakes You Have to Visit - Scenic States Boat rentals, bait and other fishing supplies are available at the Boating Center. Time to read our simple guide to crappie fishing techniques and tips, including top lures and baits. The grass beds around Buttermilk Hill and the main lake islands are some of the most reliable spots. For the most part, anglers can expect to catch great numbers of healthy mid-sized bass ranging from 12 to 18 inches. Theyre probably best known for beingsome of Illinois best walleye lakes, but crappie fishing is also off the charts, particularly in springtime. These ponds were constructed as a storm water retention pond during flood events, so water depth can fluctuate dramatically. You are sure to find a fishing spot in Illinois that scratches your angling itch. | Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us |, Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us. Keep an eye out for the dead stems of last years lily pads in spring. 10. Apple Canyon Lake. A Southern Illinois reservoir spanning 6,965 acres, Crab Orchard Lake offers an outstanding multi-species fishery for bass, catfish and crappie. Clinton Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, Fox Chain O' Lakes, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Decatur, Lake Shelbyville, Rend Lake and Sangchris Lake are among the most popular places for fishing in Illinois, offering anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species, some offer ice fishing when the ice is safe in winter. Sloughs and backwaters all along the river host largemouths, while smallmouths are more common in areas with more current. Distance to accessible portable bathroom: 296 ft, Distance to accessible indoor bathroom: 314 ft, Distance to accessible indoor bathroom: 580 ft, Distance to accessible indoor bathroom: 380 ft. Ice conditions are not monitored by the Forest Preserves. Rend Lake is a 19,000-acre lake in the southern part of the state, at Whittington. One decent sized crappie. 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. No live bait, all on plastics, 1/32nd pink jig tipped with 1" gulp minnow took all the fish under slip bobber. They don't call it the Great Lakes region for nothing. 14.7 oz. Additionally if you are interested we do have Illinois GPS fishing numbers. The Forest Preserves manages over 40 waterbodies for recreational sport fishing. Just about any lure can do the trick here when the bite is really cooking. The shoreline of Lake Springfield is highly developed, and one could fish this lake for a lifetime and never run out of docks, boat houses and stretches of riprap. Crab Orchard Lake is a standout crappie lake in a region of Southern Illinois that is positively littered with great crappie lakes. Turtlehead Lake is the deepest at 14.6 feet, Turtlehead Pond is 11.5 feet deep and West Pond is 4.3 feet deep. . Crappies in Lake Shelbyville start to spawn around mid-April most years, as soon as water temperatures hit the mid-50s and the levels have risen enough for fish to access quality spawning cover. check gas prices $5.99 Whole Roasted Chicken As in every pool, the most turbulent area is the tailwater at the upper end, but the lower end of the pool is almost lake-like. Designated ice fishing lake. The Illinois Urban Fishing Program was introduced in Chicago in 1985 to teach individuals of all ages to fish, to enhance fishing opportunities in populated areas and to give participants an understanding of and a greater appreciation for natural resources. Lake Shelbyville. Channels off the east and west sides on Channel Lake are great spring spots, along with the backwater between lakes Channel and Marie. Kinkaid Lake. 14 Of The Best Lakes in Illinois - Only In Your State Regional Getaways This 17-acre lake with a maximum depth of 29.9 feet. Lake Mattoon is a 1,050-acre reservoir in central IL, 10 miles north of Effingham. This month doesnt offer the most consistent bite of the year, but big female bass are at their peak weight in late winter. Its possible that Newton Lake will gradually become more of a numbers lake than a trophy fishery, but if so, that has yet to happen. Quite a few of these fish measure 15 inches and weigh 2 pounds. Nine bump-outs are located on the southern and western shorelines allowing better access to deep water. The lake has abundant forage in the form of gizzard and threadfin shad. Features a trailered boat launch for canoes, kayaks, rowboats, sailboats and boats with electric trolling motors. 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. This classic hotel option is just steps away from Belmont Harbor, making it a great accommodation for a fishing getaway in Chicago. Bass anglers too often overlook Southern Illinois 2,750-acre Kinkaid Lake. Spotted Gar. A flood control impoundment on the Kaskaskia River, Lake Shelbyville is a great crappie lake in South-Central Illinois. The river is often still high and turbid this time of year, so target eddies, creek mouths, and areas that are somewhat protected from the current. Make it your own! The Fox Chain O Lakes spans about 7,100 total acres, and has a shoreline that stretches 50 miles. Lake Springfield is a 3,850-acre lake in the central part of the state, on the southern outskirts of Springfield. This 27-acre body of water has a depth of 27.8 feet; however, because it is connected to the Des Plaines River by a spillway, water level can fluctuate dramatically during flood events. Use the above map to locate these bodies of water and find the best fishing lakes in Illinois. For numbers, you cant beat fishing the banks.