Your Favorite Lake in Illinois

[buzzbarto]

I’m starting a bass club that caters to the small boat bass fisherman. 15 foot or smaller boats, 20 hp or less. It’s got to have some sort of aerated livewell though. This could be as simple as a cooler with a 12 volt aerator.  Going to fish some of the smaller lakes around montgomery and macoupin county. Some of the lakes will be trolling motor only, and lakes with a 25 hp limit like coffeen, sangchris and newton. It will probably be a smaller club, no big payouts, but similar to the larger clubs in the area. A lot of guys want to get into tourneys but don’t have the cash for a big boat, or don’t want the headaches associated with the bigger clubs. If anyone is interested let me know.

[Paul S]

I only fished Jacksonville once and I really enjoyed it and caught some nice fish.  I would have said Vermillion but since they took out all that wood out, my catch-rate has gone down.  Plus, it seems like the fishing pressure went up quite a bit there.  4-5 years ago- that lake was awesome.  Good fishing. 

[clubber]

Coffeen Lake is my favorite Illinois Lake, but only because it is much closer than Newton. Newton has better fishing in my opinion. But just too far for me to go there regularly. Another lake that has better scenery than either Coffeen of Newton is Kinkaid, but the fishing is not as good. They do have the occasional Muskie to spice the day up though. Another scenic lake is Cedar and the fishing is nearly as good as Newton, the drawback there is the 10 H.P. limit. But still some great fishing.

[ShawnDee4]

Clubber you say Cedars fishing comparable to Newton?? Have to check it out.

[titanbass]

1. Cedar
2. Kincaid
3. Crab Orchard

at one of them every weekend March to November weather permitting!

 

[Klowne]

I havent  developed a favorite lake just quite yet...

have only hit up lake mingo  in a jon boat rental... was  a fun day spent with brother, nephew and the father.   plan on hitting lake vermilion once i do get possession of my boat.   

[dawsonb]

 In State Lakes are as follows
  1. Banner Marsh
  2. Lake Sangchris
  3. Lake Jacksonville
  4. Lake Michigan
  5. Lake Springfield
  6. Lake Carlyle
  7. Lake Shelbyville
  8. Otter Lake
  9. Illinois River Starved Rock
  10. Kickapoo State Park Danville

Out of State.
1. Lake Taneycomo, MO
2. Pelican Lake, Ont
3. Bull Shoals. AR
4. Reelfoot, TN
5. Jackson Marsh, FL
6. Table Rock, MO
7. Mississippi River Lacrosse area, WS
8. Big Vermillion, Ont
9. Norris State park, TN
10. Mark Twain, MO

[Lipripper]

Good to see you again DB and there are a lot of great fishing spots on your list 

[basscubs1]

jacksonville is #1!!!! if you havent been there dont waste your time, i am greedy and i dont everyone to go there!

pool 19 and 13 are good also!

[cart7]

Washington County.  That is all. 

[ShawnDee4]

Hey Cart if you like Washington County you should check out the Nashville reservoir off of route 15. It's not real big but holds good size bass....Best of all it gets all mossy late in the spring. Frog fishing at its best. 18 inch limit, and 9.9 hp but you can still put a big boat on it. Usually there is only 1 or 2 boats on it at a time. Check it out you be surprised.

[fieldnstream]

It might not be a lake but the Kankakee River has some pretty good smallies and it is only 1/4 from my house.  If I had to pick a lake I really like Mill Creek.

[tbirdbassr]

Pool 13 is No. 1 Pool 19 no.2

[traveler]

I like Lake Kincaid in southern Illinois as it's the prettiest lake around. It's a trough lake to fish as the pressure on bass is really heavy. When you get to know it, it gets better. When a big musky takes your favorite lure away from you it keeps you alert.

[Drakebuster]

I would have to say my favorite lake(s) in Illinois are Mazonia strip mines. Maybe it's because I live close and hunt & fish them, but they are some nice lakes that hold some big fish......if you can find them. Google under Mazonia SFWA

[Woody35]

have to be lost lake in dixon just because no one really fishes it and you can pretty much catch any species out there except for pike. but for public lakes i will have to go for lake shabbona just because i know it pretty well