LAKE CENTRALIA
At over 400 acres, Lake Centralia in Marion County has what it takes to put up not only numbers of bass, but some big fish, too.

"Densities are excellent," said DNR biologist Steve Jenkins. "Over the last two years, a typical catch rate is over 80 fish per hour, there's a lot of 2- to 4-pound fish, and every year we see largemouths up to 8 pounds caught."

In early summer, target brush in the numerous coves. Bright spinnerbaits and jigs tend to be productive. In mid- to late summer, bass relate well to the hundreds of main-lake points where they can be caught on deep-diving shad-pattern crankbaits and Texas- or Carolina-rigged plastics.

Excellent facilities are on site. A city boat license is required and can be obtained through the city clerk's office, (618) 532-2123. For travel and lodging info, call (618) 532-6789.

WHITE HALL CITY LAKE
Greene County doesn't have many lakes, so one small reservoir has to pick up the slack, and that's White Hall City Lake.

"White Hall is a good sleeper," said DNR biologist Jeffery Pontnack. "The last survey turned up 55 bass per hour, and about 26 percent topped out at 2 pounds or more."

Other than a few locals, not many people venture to White Hall Reservoir to go fishing. However, largemouths up to 8 pounds have been caught here, and it isn't unusual to find fish in excess of 5 pounds.

You should target weedy banks and woody cover with spinnerbaits and jigs for the best results. Crankbaits fished along the riprap associated with the area around the dam can also be productive.

For more info, call (217) 374-2345.

BORAH LAKE
Many Illinois bassers can identify with East Fork Lake by Olney, but north of this famous bucketmouth factory is lesser-fished Borah Lake.

"Largemouths are plentiful, and fish over 6 pounds are present," said biologist Mike Hooe. "The average size is smaller than East Fork, but 39 percent are greater than 12 inches, and 18 percent are over 14 inches."

Bob Long of the East Fork Bassmasters Club said it's getting better.