SUBSCRIBE NOW SUBSCRIBE NOW SUBSCRIBE NOW SUBSCRIBE NOW
Game & Fish
HUNTING | FISHING | STATE-BY-STATE | SPECIES | MARKETPLACE
 
advertisement
 
You Are Here:  Game & Fish >> Illinois >> Fishing >> Bass Fishing
 
RELATED STORIES
Lake Erie's May Smallmouth Bonanza!
Now's the time to go for some of the year's best smallmouth bass fishing. This world-class bronzeback fishery offers great action from shore or boat. Our expert has the story. (May 2007) ... [+] Full Article
>> Illinois' Super Striper Fishing
>> Illinois Game & Fish Home
 
 
OUR FAVORITES

Fathers & Sons: An Outdoor Tradition -- Brought to you by Toyota Tundra

[+] MORE
>> Win A $2,000 Fishing Trip
>> Fishing & Hunting Tales
>> Tactics & Strategies
>> Build Your Tundra
 
RELATED HUNTING
North American Whitetail
North American Whitetail
A magazine designed for the serious trophy-deer hunter. [+] See It
>> Petersen's Hunting
>> Petersen's Bowhunting
>> Wildfowl
>> Gun Dog
 
RELATED FISHING
Shallow Water Angler
Shallow Water Angler
The nation's only publication dedicated to inshore fishing, covering waters from Texas to Maine. [+] See It
>> In-Fisherman
>> Florida Sportsman
>> Fly Fisherman
>> Game & Fish
>> Walleye In-Sider
 
RELATED SHOOTING
Guns & Ammo
Guns & Ammo
The preeminent firearms magazine: Hunting, shooting, cowboy action, reviews, technical material and more. [+] See It
>> Shooting Times
>> RifleShooter
>> Handguns
>> Shotgun News
Illinois Game & Fish
Illinois Bass Outlook 2008

SHABBONA LAKE
This 318-acre DeKalb County fishery is the best public bass lake north of Peoria.

Shabbona should be the template for future lakes in Illinois. The landscape was left essentially intact when the lake was flooded, including the buildings and silo of an entire farm.

That structure and an old roadbed and timber piles were augmented with cribs, rockpiles and other structure.


continue article
 
 

Beginning in mid-April, you may want to throw an orange Rat-L-Trap when the water temperature in the electric trolling motor area is between 43 and 48 degrees. That area and the nearby shoreline offer outstanding topwater action at dawn and dusk.

DNR fisheries surveys indicate an outstanding largemouth population, according to biologist Kenny Clodfelter. Catching these fish consistently requires a precise in-your-face presentation in close proximity to structure.

For more information, call (815) 824-2106.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER --
Pool No. 13

This 30,000-acre Mississippi River pool has countless places for bass -- primarily largemouths -- to hide. Fishing is good throughout the summer and into the fall with fish relating heavily to weeds, wood and rocks at certain times of the year.

Because river levels and the forage base influence bass location to a great extent, there are several things to look for when fishing this potentially hazardous water.

Weedy points of backwater islands where two channels converge are always good places to break out a search lure like a tandem spinnerbait. Any point that an isolated slough dumps into a side channel is also worth a couple of casts.

Pool No. 13 is a veritable sea of aquatic vegetation after summer arrives. When you see any type of wood in the weeds, fish it. Otherwise, look for water at least 4 feet deep adjacent to the weeds.

On the main river, rocky wing dams can be productive in late summer if the river is low. Keep one eye on the sky, however, watching for dive-bombing gulls chasing baitfish.

For further information about Pool No. 13, call Milo & Beaver’s Gas at (815) 273-3000.

Find more about Illinois fishing and hunting at: illinoisGameandFish.com


page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
 
QUICK NAVIGATION
 
 


 

OUTDOOR OFFERS

 
OUR NETWORK: IMOUTDOORS WEBSITES
[Featured Title]
Shallow Water Angler  
Shallow Water Angler
The nation's only publication devoted to inshore fishing, covering waters from Texas to Maine.
 *See the Site
*Subscribe to the magazine
[Features From Shallow Water Angler]
>> Complete the Illusion
>> Make It a Mondo Mullet
>> Solitude & Shallows - Chandeleur Island
>> South Carolina Creates Second Inshore Reef
* Subscribe to the Shallow Water Angler
[All Titles]
 >> CONTACT>> ADVERTISE>> MEDIA KIT>> JOBS>> SUBSCRIBER SERVICES>> GIVE A GIFT