Photo by Ron Sinfelt.

The words “good problem” can best describe the situation that largemouth bass anglers are faced with in Illinois.

Realistically, you can’t have a good problem, but just think about the huge task our state’s largemouth anglers face each year. There is simply just too much good bass fishing in Illinois to sample it all in one summer. It’s tough enough just to decide what lake to tackle first, let alone what order to fish them. But that’s a good thing, right?

To help you with the daunting task of selecting a few more places to try this summer, here are a dozen more excellent waters in addition to the hotspots featured earlier this year in several issues of Illinois Game & Fish. These honeyholes are also loaded with largemouths, and some of them hold true trophy fish.

PEABODY RIVER FWA
If you are looking for remote bass fishing, the Peabody River Fish & Wildlife Area near Red Bud in southwestern Illinois could be right up your alley.

Lakes were created out of numerous reclaimed strip mines on this site, and they can provide you with a chance at catching largemouths that other anglers don’t even bother with. But if you want to get into the big bass, the process is no picnic.

“The lakes in Peabody River FWA have excellent numbers of largemouths,” said Department of Natural Resources biologist Fred Cronin. “In our last survey, we found some really decent numbers of 4- to 6-pound fish throughout the facility.”

For best action, Cronin said you should target weedy and stumpy cove ends. Clear water necessitates a modified approach with light line, spinning tackle, small lures, 4-inch worms and jigs.

Boat ramps are on the largest lakes in Peabody. The other strip-pit lakes require that you endure some hardships by hiking to access sites. Small cartopper boats and canoes are popular. These underfished lakes not only provide wilderness-type fishing, but also give up some real monster largemouths as well.

For more fishing information, call (618) 785-2555. For lodging or area information, call the Red Bud Chamber of Commerce at (618) 282-3505.

MASCOUTAH CITY LAKE
Biologist Cronin also mentioned this small gem of a bass fishery in the city of Mascoutah in St. Clair County. The catch is you will have to fish from the bank of this municipal pond, which could have the densest population of largemouths in Illinois.

“Mascoutah has been a consistent producer of fish for a long time,” Cronin said. “In our last survey, we had a catch rate of 214 bass per hour. What’s amazing is these are quality fish. Over 33 percent of the population is 15 inches or larger, and we always find a number of fish in the 5- to 6- pound class.”

At 17 acres, Mascoutah is pretty simple to figure out. Most anglers walk the bank and report good success by tossing spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and 7-inch plastic worms.

For more information, call Mascoutah City Hall at (618) 566-2978.

SPRING LAKE NORTH & SOUTH
An anomaly of sorts for anglers who enjoy fishing cabbage weeds for largemouths, Spring Lake North and Spring Lake South in southwestern Tazewell County aren’t typical. But for anglers who know how to put together a slop pattern, these shallow lakes harbor some big bucketmouths.

“The bass are always improving on both lakes,” said DNR biologist Wayne Herndon. “In our 2006 fall survey, we were able to catch about 60 fish per hour, and there were a lot of 2- to 4-pound fish. Right now, South Lake is probably a better bass lake, with fish averaging around 2 1/2 pounds.”

Spring Lake North is 446 acres and Spring Lake South is 667. Herndon said the key to finding fish here is the weed cover and the differential in temperatures as influenced by cold spring water.