Photo by Ron Sinfelt

Years ago, Illinois schoolchildren selected the bluegill as our state fish. It's a designation that has stuck in my craw ever since. My vote was -- and always will be -- for the channel catfish.

Ol' forktail does a much better job of representing the spirit of the Prairie State. A tireless fighter. A tasty treat. Prospering just about anywhere there is water. Ugly as political corruption and inner-city decay. But willing to gobble up anything in its path to make things better.

Hey kids, bluegills are cute little fish that are willing to bite and are easy to catch. But life ain't that way. Pull the tail on a cat and you could just get the claws. Sometimes you have to do things to survive in life that stink. Sounds like catfish bait to me! Those little bluegills are bait, too. Why don't we just hook one under the dorsal fin and see if we can't fool a big catfish?

Maybe you'll be able to land her, maybe you won't. Either way you'll know you've been in a fight. Win or lose, you're tussling with something ugly. But if Momma's got a little cornmeal and cooking oil, everybody eats. That's life in Illinois, kids. If you had ever fought and tasted a catfish rather than being swayed by some liberal third-grade teacher's agenda, the channel catfish -- not the bluegill -- would be our state fish.

That said, here's a look at some top honeyholes to go after one fish that fits all sizes of anglers, from kids to grumpy old men like me: the channel catfish.

GILLESPIE CITY LAKES
These Macoupin County reservoirs are separated by a dam. There's about 275 acres of prime catfish water, with a good boat launch on each of the lakes and shore-fishing opportunities at several locations. There is a 10-horsepower limit in effect.

Local anglers say some of the best catfishing action can be found close to shore, targeting the edge of water willow and similar vegetation -- and around fallen trees -- with a number of different baits, from crawlers to dip bait being at the ready.

Department of Natural Resources biologist Jeff Pontnack said these waters are stocked annually with non-vulnerable 8-inch channel cats, with "multiple year-classes present," from eating-sized up to hawgs in excess of 20 pounds.

According to Pontnack, the Old City Lake is the place to go if you're looking for the prime ingredient for a fish fry or fast action for young anglers. Once new anglers have learned a little patience and figure they can whip anything that swims, take them to New City Lake. Bites won't come as often here, but when they do, the fish are capable of making the gears in that little Snoopy reel and pole sound like a bag of marbles in a crucible -- which automatically turns a kid into a fisherman for life. Both lakes hold good populations of 3- to 5-pound catfish that are a little too big to eat but a little small to destroy decent fishing tackle. It spells fun any way you slice it.

Contacts: Carlinville Chamber of Commerce, (217) 854-2141; Gilmore Bait & Marine, (217) 854-8136.

MERMET LAKE
You'll need some heavy gear to hoist catfish out of the weeds on this 450-acre renovated cypress swamp that serves as a waterfowl refuge during the colder months.