The lakes range in size from 150 acres down to less than one-half acre in size. Because of their strip-pit genesis, almost all of these lakes are deep, steep and crystal clear.

An exception is Monster Lake, joining Eagle and Ponderosa lakes as the largest and most popular in this FWA. Monster also has the most diverse fishery, with the major attractions being crappies and whopping lagemouth bass. This is the only lake in Mazonia where fluorescent and glow colors have an edge in water somewhat stained because of two tributaries. Access varies from walking a few steps to a considerable hike, with smaller lakes in the middle of the Mazonia project both tougher to get to and seeing much less angling pressure than lakes with easier access.

Thirty-four acre Eagle Lake has developed a reputation for yielding giant redear sunfish to patient anglers. The best medicine for redears is the natural presentation of a single redworm impaled on a small hook about one foot under a tiny split shot, then left untouched until the bobber sinks a slow 1/4-inch below the surface.

The generally smaller lakes in the south unit hold the most potential. Since these waters were in private hands prior to state acquisition, there is a wealth of hidden fish-holding structure in some waters - with even a chance to tie into one of the relic trout in at least two of the lakes.

Since these lakes are deep and clear, they freeze later than other northern Illinois waters. Calling ahead for ice conditions is a good idea.

Mazonia FWA is located near the Braidwood power plant, just off of Interstate 55, with the access on County Line Road.

Contact: Mazonia FWA site superintendent, (815) 237-0063.

The 1,000-acre Evergreen, located in a county park complex, is a phenomenal crappie lake with plenty of muskies in addition to a serious shot at catching a whopper saugeye. The downside of Evergreen is its almost central Illinois location. This water may not freeze enough to permit access, at least not for long. If we get a good, hard freeze, Evergreen is definitely worth a look.

At just 77 acres, Lake Carlton in Morrison-Rockwood State Park may be a better bet. Set tip-ups baited with fatheads along the dam. Probing some of the permanent access piers on the lake's west side may also produce. Carlton also has a burgeoning crappie population, but the fish tend to run on the small side.

Lake Le-Aqua-Na north of Lena in Stephenson County receives frequent stocking of a number of fish species, including bass and walleyes. At just 43 acres, it's an easy place to target in just a couple of hours. By midwinter, fish tend to congregate around an aerator found near the dam. Use caution when fishing anywhere close to this device.

Snake Den Hollow in Knox County is a matrix of small, deep lakes that are definitely worth a look if we are in the midst of a good freeze.

Lake Sule, a small borrow-pit lake south of Rockford off of I-39, has multiple year-classes of crappies as a major draw. They can't hide from good electronics on this essentially faceless basin lake, but getting them to bite is another matter.

If you can get out on safe ice near the star docks, Burnham, Belmont and Montrose harbors all offer the potential of a real tug from brown trout, coho and the occasional rainbow trout in addition to perch and smallmouth bass. A west wind is best. Conditions can deteriorate rapidly here with winds from other directions coming across Lake Michigan, quickly eroding safe ice.

Busse, Tampier, Loon and Milliken lakes see an influx of ice-anglers each year, as does six-acre Eliot Lake in Wheaton.

After the exceptionally cool summer experienced in northern Illinois, we may be looking at a long, cold winter. If this is the case, downstate lakes offer the potential for ice-fishing over fish that haven't seen this kind of presentation.

With an extended cold snap, I know there will be crappies on the brush off of Lake Shelbyville's 9th Street boat ramp. If it gets really cold, there is a great brushpile on the north side of Highway 13 in Cambria Neck of Crab Orchard Lake that holds crappies all winter long.

Don't count on hardwater action south of Interstate 80. North of this point, we'll be looking at a chance to hear fins slapping on the ice for at least a good month, maybe two. Don't forget to wear your PFD, carry a rescue rope and fish with a buddy. Ice-fishing certainly beats sitting at home, but you want to return home safely when you get done fishing.