REGION III
Clinton Lake
One of the best channel catfishing waters in Illinois is Clinton Lake in De Witt County. This 5,000-acre lake offers tremendous catfishing with very good size distribution. Large channel cats up to 16 pounds are caught with regularity.

Channel cats are a big draw here, and they get a good bit of pressure from local anglers. The cat population is in good shape nonetheless and is self-sustaining, thus no supplemental stocking is necessary.

Even though the Fox Chain has a tremendous channel catfishery, it is underutilized by anglers. Most people come to this chain for northern pike, muskies, bass, crappies and walleyes. This leaves a virtually untapped catfishery. The anglers who do target whiskerfish regularly catch channel cats in the 5-pound range.

Many Clinton Lake channel cats are caught from shore or from one of the numerous fishing piers. Two of the best areas for catfish are in front of the discharge canal and the North Fork arm channel. Areas of flooded timber and openings beneath the bridges across the lake are also good choices.

The drawback to fishing at Clinton Lake is the numerous restrictions and closed areas. Some areas are closed for only a portion of the year. The best bet is for you to call the Clinton Lake State Recreation Area before heading out.

The Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau can be called at (217) 935-3364. Call the Clinton State Recreation Area office at (217) 935-8722. The Clinton Lake Access Areas & Fishing Guide is available online at ifishillinois.org/profiles/lakes/Clinton.

Lake Bloomington is located about 10 miles north of Bloomington. The lake has only one boat ramp and a small fee is charged for its use. Boaters are restricted to a maximum of 40-horsepower motors, and anglers can only use two poles and lines. For more information on the lake, associated fees and driving directions, call (309) 747-2615. The McLean County Chamber of Commerce can be found online at McLeancoChamber, or give them a call at (309) 829-6344.

REGION IV
Lake Jacksonville
Channel catfish enthusiasts in this region should target Lake Jacksonville in Morgan County. Since the lake's rehabilitation in 1986, the channel catfishery has rebounded exceptionally well. The lake now boasts excellent whiskerfishing.

Lake Jacksonville has been stocked with non-vulnerable channel cats each year since 1991 by the DNR. The stocked fish are in the 8- to 10-inch range to ensure better survival rates. Good lake conditions have resulted in the average fish caught weighing between 1 and 3 pounds.

There are many great areas to catch catfish on this 476-acre lake. Good shoreline habitat exists in the form of submerged stumps and fallen timber. There are also several flats that attract many catfish.