Photo by Ron Sinfelt

If you are like many Illinois anglers at the first hint of spring, your thoughts probably turn toward bass fishing.

For a few months now you have most likely been sharpening hooks, perusing catalogues and online tackle shops, oiling up reels, tinkering with your boat -- and maybe even biting your fingernails in anticipation of the upcoming season.

Chances are also good that over the course of the winter you did your homework on where to find the best fishing in the Prairie State. But just in case you forgot to do so, we have planned your itinerary to our best largemouth bass destinations for this year.

SHABBONA LAKE
Department of Natural Resources biologist Ken Clodfelter said Shabbona Lake in De Kalb County is perhaps the best largemouth hotspot in northern Illinois.

"When we did our fall survey, we had a tremendous sample," Clodfelter said. "There were outstanding numbers of fish in the 2- to 4-pound class. We saw many fish in the 12- to 14-inch class, too. All in all, we had well over 100 fish per hour. While we were doing our sample, one angler pulled in a 5 1/2-pounder not far from our boat."

In the spring, the electric-motor-only area of the lake warms the fastest, thus attracting hungry bass. Target the standing timber with jig-and-trailer combinations. As the water warms up, so does the action in the eastern bay. Crankbaits in a shad pattern and plastic jerk-worms are effective when fished over emergent vegetation. When the heat of the summer comes on and the weeds coat the shallows, topwaters work great, as do plastic worms fished along the bottom. Deep-water areas, numerous fish attractors strewn around points and deep-standing timber hold big largemouths that many anglers overlook.

Shabbona is the bucketmouth factory to watch this year, and at 319 acres, it is very fishable. Superb facilities are available, including camping, boat rental and concessions. For more information, call the park office at (815) 824-2106. For travel and lodging information, call the De Kalb Chamber of Commerce at (815) 756-6306.

HENNEPIN-HOOPER LAKE
This "new lake" recently opened, and it is attracting many anglers eager to take a crack at the bass in what could be one of the best largemouth waters in central Illinois this year. Site superintendent Rick Siebert said Hennepin-Hooper is teeming with good-sized bucketmouths.

"The bass population is in excellent shape," Siebert said. "We see a lot of fish up to about 6 pounds, and I'd say the average bass is around 17 inches. Reports of catching 30 bass in a day are not uncommon."

A shallow drainage region, the lake averages about 3 feet deep. The bottom tends to be soft, and according to Siebert, just about every kind of aquatic weed found in Illinois grows here.

When the lake opens in May, bass are aggressive and the weed cover is minimal. Bright-colored spinnerbaits, twitch worms and shallow-diving crankbaits are productive. As the weeds get thicker, topwater baits such as plastic Snagproof Frogs, Weed Demons and surface spoons cover large amounts of water in search of active fish. Texas-rigged plastic worms or lizards also work well.