OCTOBER
Evergreen Lake Muskies
You probably won't hook a wallhanger here, but multiple muskie days are a real possibility. A 10-horsepower limit is in place on this county park lake. Try trolling big stickbaits at the 10-foot breakline with at least one lure right in the prop wash and that 10-horse at about 3/4 throttle.

Don't forget your walleye gear. This lake just north of Bloomington has an entire year-class of saugeyes heavier than the current state record.

Contact: (815) 667-4862.

Newton Lake Largemouths
When most bassers have all but given up on largemouths for the year, fish in this Jasper County cooling lake are just beginning to get active. Use a surface temperature gauge to find the warmest water, then throw a suspending stickbait, slow-roll a spinnerbait or pitch plastics at wood cover and riprapped areas. Newton is managed as a trophy bass fishery.

Mazonia FWA Panfish
There are over 150 small lakes in this FWA project near Braidwood in northeastern Illinois. The more remote waters are always good. But anglers are staying away from even easily accessible lakes in droves now, making places like Ponderosa Lake a good bet.

NOVEMBER
Kinkaid Lake Muskies
This popular southern Illinois lake is developing a well deserved reputation as a muskie producer.

Kinkaid -- like Shelbyville and Shabbona -- is a place where you can expect to tangle with a big muskie. Although it hasn't achieved this benchmark yet, most among the muskie fraternity believe it's just a matter of time.

Water clarity changes from one end of the lake to the other. Most muskie activity is found in the lower reaches of the lake near the dam where florescent lures tend to work better than natural colors. Suckers are worth their weight in gold here.

Contact: Kinkaid Lake Guide Service, (618) 985-4105.

Rend Lake Crappies
This sprawling reservoir near Mt. Vernon is a serious contender as Illinois' top crappie water, and action is at a peak right now. According to the DNR, over 60 percent of crappies swimming here are longer than 10 inches. An unusual bag limit is in place with 25 fish, but only 10 can be larger than 10 inches. Filling a limit in just an hour is a possibility.

Rock River Walleyes
This medium-sized river has a substantial walleye population, with upper river pools generally the most productive. Action heats up with cooling water temperatures. When temperatures drop below 44 degrees and waters clear, it's time to go fishing. Simple rigging and jigging methods seem to be most productive.

DECEMBER
Fox Chain Walleyes
First ice is the best time to fill a limit with tasty walleyes in this heavily fished chain of lakes in northeastern Illinois. Although walleyes are found in every lake, those waters at the head of the chain -- like Channel, Catherine, Marie and Petite -- are the most consistent producers.

Current is a major key to fish location. Areas where lakes neck-down -- like the passage between Channel and Catherine -- hold fish all winter long. Use extreme caution. Ice quality can vary substantially over just a few feet.

Contact: Triangle Bait (847) 395-0813.

Carlton Lake Muskies
This 77-acre state park lake in Whiteside County was once the primary muskie-rearing site in the state. It is still good, albeit overlooked. Catch a couple of crappies and drift them under a quick-strike rig before the lake locks in ice. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Farm Pond Panfish
Farm ponds are the first waters to freeze in the northern tiers of counties, providing fast and furious action at first ice. These waters are invariably on private lands where permission is required before fishing, but once you are on the ice, it doesn't take long to get a nice mess of bluegills. Use considerable stealth. Poke holes, then put the drill away. And leave the portable ice shanty in the truck. If they're active, you won't be out there long enough to get cold.