COFFEEN LAKE
Coffeen Lake is one of the Prairie State's best largemouth bass fisheries, but many anglers have overlooked its outstanding striped bass potential, now shrouded in a cloud of ambiguity. It won't be long before word is out on this downstate striper factory.

"Anglers have been catching more harvestable-sized fish the last few years, and the word is spreading," said DNR biologist Jeffery Pontnack. "I would expect this species to do quite well if the stocking regime stays in place."

Scott Withers, owner of Indian Grove Fish Camp on Coffeen's western shore, said this is the best-kept striper secret in our entire state.

"When the run is on, fishing is excellent," said Withers. "There is a large population of stripers, and it's not hard for anyone to catch a bunch. Eight- to 10-pound fish are very common."

According to Withers, the peak of the run is during the heat of the summer in July and August.

"Most guys troll crankbaits in 12 to 15 feet of water up and down the channels and fingers outside the cooling loop," he said, "while some anglers tandem-rig a Roostertail behind their crankbait for an added attractor."

Coffeen can be productive year 'round as well. "During the fall, winter and spring, emphasis shifts to the warm water of the cooling loop," said Withers.

Coffeen Lake is 1,100 acres. Boat launching and various park amenities are on site. For more information, contact site superintendent Brad Tedrick at (217) 537-3351. For travel and lodging information, call the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce at (217) 532-3711.

HEIDECKE LAKE
Years back, there was a running battle between Heidecke Lake and Sangchris Lake for the state's blue-ribbon striper. The record stopped at Sangchris in 1994, but Heidecke still remains among the top fisheries in Illinois for big hybrids.

According to the 2005 Status of Striped Bass/Hybrid Striped Bass in Illinois, numerous hybrids from 20 to 30 inches were sampled. A few pure stripers in the 30- to 40-pound-class were also collected.

Greg Heath, owner of Fishfinder Guide Service at (815) 258-9136, said that in early April the hybrids tend to stack up on windswept shorelines.

"We target stripers early in the year with chrome crankbaits," said Heath. "When water temperatures are in the 40- to 50-degree range, we destroy the stripers. Last year my first clients went on April 5 and April 6, and in two days of fishing we boated over 120 fish."

As the spring progresses, humps and inundated ditches along the lake bottom become prime targets for anglers who like to slow-troll live roach minnows on an unweighted hook. The rocky islands that support the power lines on the north pool of the lake can be productive at this time, as can the bridge area.

During the heat of summer, many anglers resort to trolling crankbaits while looking for scattered fish, and at times the hybrids can be found boiling the surface. That's when blade baits, spoons and chrome Zara Spooks are effective.

Heidecke Lake SFWA opens April 1. There is a 10-fish limit on all stripers, and only three can exceed 17 inches. Boat launching, concession and bank-fishing are available. For more information, call (815) 942-6352. For travel and lodging information, call (815) 942-0113.

LAKE MATTOON
Although the 2005 Status of Striped Bass/Hybrid Striped Bass in Illinois would rate overall fishing prospects in this 1,050-acre reservoir eight miles south west of Mattoon as just fair, some large hybrids call this reservoir home. And with a little searching, Mattoon can provide anglers with the possibility of running into a dandy hybrid.