REGION IV PITTSFIELD LAKE
District 12 fisheries biologist Mike Jones describes the catfish fishery at Pittsfield Lake as “excellent.” In fact, he said the 240-acre lake in Pike County “may be the best in western Illinois.” Recent netting surveys give much credence to his beliefs.

In 2004, spring netting resulted in 39 percent of the total fish caught being channel catfish. The water was still quite chilly when the netting was performed, so that is a very high number for that time of year. At that time, the average catfish collected measured about 23 inches and weighed nearly 5 pounds. When the survey was done a year later, the water was even colder and that reduced the number of catfish collected. However, the mean length and weight of the fish collected had increased substantially to nearly 26 inches and 8 pounds.

Catfish grow well here because of good forage. Good populations of both bluegills and gizzard shad provide an ample natural food source. Last year, there was a tremendous gizzard shad spawn, so catfish this year should be even heavier.

The lake has some natural reproduction, but it is supplemented with stocking to ensure a quality fishery. Around 10,000 channel cats ranging in size from 6 to 10 inches were stocked there in 2003. These fish should be in the 14- to 17-inch range or bigger this year.

Most people fish Pittsfield with a medium-heavy rod and at least 20-pound-test line because of the potential of catching some extremely large fish. Channel cats are frequently caught there in the 15- to 18-pound range. Additionally, there is a bonus population of flatheads, some of which exceed 50 pounds.

The eastern shoreline is a prime spot for bank-angling, especially at night. The grass is well manicured all the way down to the water. There are numerous points and flats along this shoreline that attract feeding channel cats.

The western shoreline yields some tremendous catfish each year, but it is virtually impossible to fish from the shore. It is very steep, and the bank rises some 25 feet above the water in places. Erosion along this shoreline has taken a lot of trees and fallen timber into the water. Boat anglers can find some very large catfish lurking around this ample woody structure.

The north end of the lake is home to a particular hotspot for catfish. There is a tube through which water flows into the lake. After a heavy rain, run-off pushes much of the water through this tube. Quality-sized catfish will stack up near this inflow to feed on the abundance of forage generated by the water flow.

More information on Pittsfield Lake can be obtained from the Pike County Chamber of Commerce at (217) 285-2971.

REGION V HARRISBURG RESERVOIR
The city of Harrisburg gets its water from 209-acre Harrisburg New City Reservoir. Located about a mile east of Galatia in Marion County, the lake is just a little out of the way and subsequently does not receive an overabundance of fishing pressure. This can mean great things for savvy catfish anglers.