Bait is available at Mike's Tackle World in Decatur, (217) 423-0730. Accommodations are available at the Ramada Limited, 355 E. Hickory Point Road in Decatur, (217) 876-8011, or www.ramada.com for reservations. For guide service, call Steve Welch at (217) 762-7257.

LAKE MATTOON
Lake Mattoon is about eight miles southwest of the city of Mattoon in Shelby, Coles and Cumberland counties. The 1,000 acres of water has an average depth of 11 feet with a maximum of 31 feet. The city of Mattoon charges a user fee and public launching is available. No boat rentals are available. There are no restrictions on motor size.

Fishing ranges from good to fair with a wide range of sizes of striped bass hybrids caught each year. Fishing pressure is lighter than the more popular striper lakes. The few fish caught in the IDNR fall surveys average 11 or 12 inches long. Fish kills below the spillway indicate a wide variety of hybrids are found in the lake. Fish up to 20 inches long have been found. Best locations are on the flats and points.

Bait, tackle and guide information is available at Prairie Outfitters, 930 18th Street in Charleston, (217) 348-6770. Local accommodations may be found at the Super 8 motel at Interstate 57 and the Route 16 exit.

For more information, contact the motel at (217) 235-8888 or www.Super8.com.

LAKE SANGCHRIS
Striped bass were stocked in 1983 and subsequent population surveys indicate it has been a kind of roller coaster ride. The 2002 catch rate was one of the highest, while the following year was one of the poorest. As a result, it's difficult to estimate the size of stripers in this lake. There are no hybrids.

A 10-year-old boy caught the Illinois state-record striper in Sangchris in 1994.

The lake is located about 14 miles southeast of Springfield in Christian and Sangamon counties. It consists of three arms with the middle arm being the warmest due to water from the power plant being pumped back into the lake. The 2,165-acre lake features boat ramps but no boat rentals. The shoreline is undeveloped, thus there are no bait, tackle or food concessions.

The best months to fish are December through April, but fish are caught year 'round. During the prime period, fish are usually found in 15 to 17 feet of water following shad that are seeking warmer water. The most recent surveys have found two year-classes of fish. The younger class fish average 5 to 7 pounds, while the older ones average 15 to 17 pounds. The fish seem to grow about 3 pounds a year depending on shad reproduction and survival. No fingerlings were stocked in 2007, but they were stocked in 2008, which will add another year-class to the population.

For bait and tackle, call Big Red's at (217) 820-9674) or Jim's Live Bait and Tackle at (217) 787-1951 in Springfield. The Springfield area has numerous motels and nearly all national chains are represented. For guide service, call Dan Vinovich in Pekin at (309) 347-1728.

OHIO RIVER
All along southeastern Illinois, the Ohio River flows gently toward its meeting with the Mississippi River at Fort Defiance. Although striped and hybrid striped bass are found along the entire length of the waterway, it is perhaps one of the most underutilized waterways in the state, producing 3- to 10-pound striped bass and 8- to 10-pound hybrids.