WELDON SPRINGS
Three miles southeast of Clinton in De Witt County, Weldon Springs Lake offers families a superb facility with excellent fishing.

"Anglers can expect to catch large numbers of 7-inch bluegills and redear sunfish," said DNR biologist Mike Garthaus. Bobber and worm rigs around shoreline cover and weeds will keep anglers busy.

If bass are your game, this is a good place to battle numbers of largemouths. "Approximately 45 percent of the bass are longer than 15 inches, and density is very good," Garthaus said. Target shoreline weeds and brush with spinnerbaits or plastic worms.

And what would a family lake be without catfish? "Each year the lake is stocked with 8-inch channel catfish. Anglers can expect to catch numbers in the 16- to 25-inch range," Garthaus said. Dip bait or night crawlers will produce enough whiskered critters to make everyone smile.

Additionally, excellent access, picnic areas, playgrounds, camping, concession and boat rental are available. For more information, call (217) 935-2644. Travel and lodging information can be had from the Clinton Chamber of Commerce at (217) 935-3364.

HOMER LAKE
Located in Champaign County, Homer Lake is a definite magnet for families in search of productive angling. According to biologist Garthhaus, it's no slouch for a smorgasbord of good fishing.

"The management goals for Homer Lake are to provide good largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish fishing," he said. "Northern pike are also stocked at low densities and provide a bonus for anglers."

Look for bluegills and redears around shoreline cover and weed edges. Bobbers won't stay afloat very long with night crawler pieces attached to a small hook. Largemouths prowl weeds and shorelines, and are taken with minnows, plastic worms or spinnerbaits. Crappies are caught with minnows around shoreline brush. And if you want to see the color drain from your kid's face, rig a pole with a bobber and roach minnow and let them battle a big northern.

Boat launching, picnic areas and excellent park facilities are present, and the facility is just a hop away from the Champaign/Urbana area with scores of sidebar activities. For more information, contact Homer Lake at (217) 896-2733. For travel and lodging information, call the Champaign Area Chamber of Commerce at (217) 359-1791.

EUREKA LAKE
Visitors to the Peoria area will want to check out Lake Eureka Park in the town of Eureka.

"Eureka Lake is only about 30 acres," said DNR biologist Wayne Herndon, "but it has good fishing for bluegills, bass and channel catfish."

Anglers visiting Eureka Lake can expect to be kept busy with 7-inch bluegills all day long. Most are taken on worms around shoreline cover. Bass are numerous, and can be caught along the banks with traditional fare. Most are below 16 inches, but 5-pounders are caught occasionally. Channel catfish can be taken throughout the lake with worms or dip bait fished on the bottom. Lunkers up to 8 pounds occasionally widen the eyeballs of a young angler.