DONGOLA RESERVOIR
Just off Route 51 in Union County lies 58-acre Dongola City Reservoir. This lake is so incidental that most folks don't bother fishing here. However, according to DNR biologist Shawn Hirst, Dongola is loaded with quality bass.

"Dongola has an excellent largemouth population," Hirst said. "Surveys during the last three years have produced over 100 bass per hour. The largest bass collected in the 2006 survey was over 20 inches and just shy of 6 pounds."

After being drawn down a few years ago for some repair work, Dongola is poised for a bright future.

"The lake is so small, most guys just fish the edges," revealed local angler George Hunter of Dongola. "The biggest bass I ever caught was an 8-pounder, but we've seen lots of 5- and 6-pound fish, too."

Hunter said most of his fish are caught on twistertails. Spinnerbaits, jigs and crankbaits will work at times for this tightly packed population of largemouths.

There is a city-owned boat launch available and some shoreline access. For more information, call (618) 827-4343. For travel and lodging information, call the Union County Chamber of Commerce at (618) 833-6311.

* * *

If you have been looking for a less-crowded largemouth honeyhole, give a few of these overlooked hotspots a try this year. One of them could become what your dreams are made of.