MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Ferencak recommends the Upper Mississippi River for big-river bluegills.

"It should also provide some good bluegill fishing opportunities in the backwater lakes and side channels," he said. "There are some shoreline access sites available, but fishing is best by boat. Fish should average 1/4- to 1/3-pound."

With the Mississippi River and its backwaters being the perfect habitat for so many kinds of fish, anglers are using Mississippi Palisades State Park as their fishing base camp. There are 241 Class A and Class B campsites in both shaded and open areas. Reservations are recommended because this site is popular with tourists. Electrical hookups are available at 110 sites. Showers and flush toilets are situated in three buildings and are in operation from May 1 until Oct 31. The campground also features water and two sanitary dump stations. Only campers with permits are allowed in the campground, with admittance prohibited from 10 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. There are no motor size limits on boats, and launch ramps at the river access areas are free. Call the site for reservations at (815) 273-2731. Visit www.gocarrollcounty.com about area amenities. Local bait and tackle shops are Garvin Standard Service of Savanna, (815) 273-3000; Rick's Bait and Tackle, (815) 273-3624; and Tri-Lakes Sporting Goods, (815) 369-5520.

ARGYLE LAKE
Known as an angler's delight, this 95-acre lake is found at Argyle Lake State Park in McDonough County. Located just seven miles from Macomb, Argyle Lake also offers a number of activities such as picnicking, camping, hiking and boating facilities. There is a 10-horsepower motor limit, and a public boat launch and docks are available for boats and pontoons. Canoe and boat rentals also are available. Bluegills average 1/4- to 1/3-pound.

Call the site office at (309) 776-3422 for more information. Fishing information is available at Spring Hill Bait & Tackle at Macomb, (309) 836-8205.

MAZONIA LAKES
Sprawled across 576 acres in Grundy and Kankakee counties, the Mazonia Lakes are managed primarily for sportfish and waterfowl.

Its purpose is to provide a quality sportfishery within the surface-mined lakes through habitat enhancement and supplemental stockings, which in turn will provide the public quality sportfishing opportunities. The land making up the south unit was formerly surface-mined, resulting in rugged terrain, four large lakes and 10 smaller water impoundments that contain excellent fish populations. Access to most of the water is available via boat launches, while some of the smaller lakes are walk-in only.

"Best lakes are No. 3, No. 10 and Ponderosa," said Ferencak, "Access is challenging because the lakes are scattered throughout this reclaimed strip-mine area, but it can be well worth it. Fish should average about 1/3-pound or more."

District fisheries biologist Rob Miller said both lakes No. 3 and No. 10 provide quite a bit of structure and have irregularities on the bottom such as submerged reefs and humps.

"Lake 10 does not have a concrete boat ramp, so we are seeing a lot of belly boats," Miller noted. "The majority might be bass anglers, but the guys fishing for bluegills use them, too."

Miller said Ponderosa has exceptional bluegill fishing.

"The central area is up to 60 feet deep, with many offshoots," Miller said. "It's gin-clear, with good oxygen." The lakes also benefit from being by the wetlands, resulting in more vegetation and higher productivity.

For more information, call the site office at (815) 237-0063.