Shelbyville Muskies
Tailwaters of the Shelbyville dam and the bays around Lithia Spring Marina hold perhaps the greatest concentration of muskies per surface acre in October than any other place or any other time in the state of Illinois. You are a weapon as long as that orange/black bucktail is in the water.

Grassy Lake Largemouths
This 1,000-acre southern Illinois lake experiences fall turnover toward month's end. When waters clear after turnover, both size and numbers of largemouths aggressively pursue Nashiki-pattern Lucky Craft suspending stick baits. A 10-horsepower limit is in effect on this water and neighboring Devil's Kitchen Lake -- another autumn bassing hotspot.

NOVEMBER
Pecatonica River Walleyes
Water color and temperature are major keys to success on approximately 12 miles of this small north-central Illinois river extending upstream from confluence with Rock River at Rockton. When the water turns emerald green and water temperatures drop below 48 degrees, it's time to go fishin'.

The best access point is a single concrete ramp between the hamlets of Shirland and Harrison. Afternoon is generally the best time to fish once water temperatures drop below 44 degrees.

Kinkaid Muskies
This southern Illinois lake near Murphysboro is the first place to target in the spring and the last in the fall if you're after quality Esox masquinongy. The autumn bite is much less labor intensive -- just speed troll shallow-running Shad Raps in a carp pattern in the boat's wake. Keep that Boca Grip handy!

Sangchris Stripers
Whopping big striped bass congregate near the warmwater discharge of this central Illinois cooling lake around Thanksgiving. Casting or trolling large stick baits or 5-inch white grubs can be very effective.

DECEMBER
Devil's Kitchen Rainbow Trout
When most of Illinois is bracing for winter, fishing across much of southern Illinois is just reaching late-autumn peak. Aerobatic rainbow trout that cruise close to the dam at Devil's Kitchen Lake offer a unique opportunity at least 250 miles from any other native trout fishery in Illinois.

These fish, and our other two December selections, represent an outstanding opportunity for a "cast and blast" outing in which quail and waterfowl offer hunting options. For more information, contact Williamson County Convention & Visitor's Bureau at (800) GEESE99 or e-mail wctb@ midamer.net.

A steady retrieve with a white fliptail on a 1/16- to 1/8-ounce jighead close to shore in shallow bays near this lake's cooling arm can result in continuous action once fish are located. Minnows under a float are more effective once the pattern is "dialed in."

Cedar Lake Stripers
Speed trolling large stick baits while watching for baitfish busting the surface is a great way to tangle with these powerful nomads on this 1,750-acre lake south of Carbondale. Largemouth bass -- some of trophy proportion -- are another option. A 10-horsepower motor restriction is in place.