MILL CREEK LAKE
This 811-acre Clark County lake has a history of good bass fishing, and 2005 will be no different. If anything, fishing will just be improved from last year. The lake has an abundance of habitat, and there is excellent natural reproduction, which keeps this a self-sustaining fishery.

Located five miles west of Marshall, the average catch will be in the 1- to 2-pound range, but this lake has a great population of 3- to 5-pound fish, and bass over 10 pounds are there now. Anglers can be numerous at times, but the lake sustains the pressure and continues to improve. The best fishing is along the shoreline and along laydowns, but the lake has a lot of habitat, so check all areas.

The lake has a 12- to 15-inch slot limit and anglers are limited to three fish per day. There is an access fee.

PINCKNEYVILLE CITY LAKE
Twenty years ago, this lake was ignored by most bass anglers, and for good reason. Fishing was poor. Today, this is one of the top lakes in the state. Located three miles northwest of Pinckneyville, this 165-acre lake has received more than 20,000 4-inch-plus bass during the last decade, and the bass population has increased every year.

This Perry County lake produces trophies, with only one bass of at least 18 inches being permitted each day. The limit protects the growing bass population, and anglers are pleased with the improvement. There are numerous bass larger than 18 inches now present, plus an excellent population of 1- to 2-pound fish. Best of all, the lake doesn't get a lot of fishing pressure. There is a 10-horsepower limit on motors.

CRAB ORCHARD LAKE
This 7,000-acre Williamson County lake has gone from a good bass fishery to an excellent one in the last five years. Located one mile south of Carterville, you can credit this turnaround to an increased stocking effort and more stringent harvest regulations. There is a 16-inch minimum and a three-fish-per-day limit on this U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lake.

The lake has a great population of 13- to 15-inch fish, excellent numbers of fish 15 inches and longer, and one-fifth of the population is made up of 16-inch and larger fish. Growth rates are good, which is a result of good habitat and abundant forage. Fish the flats, off points, along laydowns and the docks.

HARRISBURG NEWCITY RESERVOIR
This 210-acre Saline County lake has a balanced fishery with an abundance of bass over 4 pounds. There also is a good number of 5- to 7-pound fish there.

Located one mile east of Galatia, the bass fishing has been characterized as very good for the past three to four years, and we're bumping it up to excellent now. Fish the shoreline cover, points and in the coves. Boaters are restricted to 10 horsepower.

WASHINGTON COUNTY LAKE
This is our "sleeper" lake for southern Illinois. This 250-acre state-owned lake is located seven miles south of Nashville, has excellent habitat, good fertility and a surprisingly good forage base. The young-of-the-year and other year-classes of fish are abundant, so good fishing should continue for years.

This lake has a reputation for producing trophy bass, and that tradition continues to this day. But the lake also has a strong population of 13- to 16-inch fish, and nice numbers of 17- to 19-inch fish. The average catch will be about 2 pounds, but expect larger fish, too. Fish around the woody debris like stumps, laydowns and brush, plus rocky areas. There is a 14-inch minimum and a three-fish-per-day limit. Boaters are restricted to 10 horsepower.

There you have it. The 12 lakes and three sleepers that fisheries biologists believe will have the best bass fishing in Illinois in 2005. All you have to do now is start planning your trips.