Not long ago, it was believed Illinois anglers had to travel to the sprawling reservoirs in the South, endure the sweltering heat of Mexico or finesse their way through the gin-clear lakes of California to catch a largemouth bass of behemoth proportions.

Unfortunately, destinations such as these are not convenient for John Q. Fisherman of the flatlands. But as all fishing paradigms inevitably shift, bass anglers from the Prairie State are finding out you don't have to plan an elaborate vacation to some faraway place to find a heart-stopping largemouth. Illinois is coming into its own as a destination to hook into trophy largemouth bass.

To boat the largemouth of a lifetime this year, you need only look out your back door and consider some of our own trophy waters. These are some of the best.

MILL CREEK LAKE
Clark County's Mill Creek Lake has been well known as one of the better bass fisheries in Illinois for some time, and lately it's been known as a place with the potential to produce wallhanger largemouths.

Strong numbers of 4- to 6-pound bucketmouths are taken from this small 811-acre reservoir, and Department of Natural Resources biologist Mike Mounce said Mill Creek has good potential for much larger bass.

"This has long been a very popular spot for Illinois fishermen," said Mounce. "A fish kill in 1999 reduced the bass density, and although the population has not completely recovered, there's still the potential to catch bass in excess of 8 pounds."

Park employee Dan Liffick fishes numerous tournaments on Mill Creek, and concurs with Mounce.

"Guys come to weigh in, and we see lots of 5- and 6-pound fish. Bass over 7 pounds are common, and there are reports of bass over 10 pounds starting to show up." Liffick also said that Mill Creek has 39 miles of shoreline and a lot of submerged cover such as Christmas trees and PVC attractors. "There are plenty of places to fish here."

Liffick said to concentrate on the backs of the brushy coves in the spring and to use small plastic worms in a red-shad pattern or black-and-blue jig-and-trailer combinations.

Mill Creek County Park is about six miles west of Marshall. There is a $10 daily fee to launch a boat, but yearly rates are available. Camping, cabins for rent, boat rental and concessions are available on site. For more information, call (217) 889-3901. For travel and lodging information, call the Marshall Chamber of Commerce at (217) 826-2034.

DEVILS KITCHEN LAKE
Little, deep and clear, Devils Kitchen Lake in Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge boasts a good population of big bass.

"Devils Kitchen is annually stocked with rainbow trout," said biologist Chris Bickers, "and when a bass grows large enough to eat these trout, they have the potential to grow fast and become a trophy."

Bickers said largemouths in the 7- to 8-pound range are not uncommon on Devils Kitchen, and there are reports each year of bass over 10 pounds. During the 2005 spring survey, two monsters over 8 pounds were sampled.

Tom Hayden, manager of Devils Kitchen Marina and Campground, said this lake produces some real "monsters."

"Every year a number of 9- to 10-pound fish are caught," said Hayden. "It's nothing to find a 7- or 8-pound fish, and I know there's a 15-pounder swimming out there."