Smithland Pool, behind Smithland Lock and Dam, is the largest pool. The area immediately below the lock and dam is one of the most successful striper fisheries. Most anglers lock through the dam after launching at Golconda Marina. Other ramps are found at Old Shawneetown, Cave in Rock, Tower Rock, Elizabethtown, Rosiclare and Barren Creek.

The fishing is best when the water is at normal pool and moving well. In high water, turbidity affects the fishing adversely, as do low-water conditions when the current flow is too weak. Water levels can be obtained from www.CorpsLakes.US, the Corps of Engineers Web site.

For fishing information, contact Golconda Marina at (618) 683-5875 or www.golcondamarina.com. The marina is closed from Nov. 20 to March 1 each year.

For accommodations, call Bear Bank Cabins at (618) 672-4249, Willowbrook Cabin at (618) 672-4815 or Barren Creek Cottages at (618) 683-4004 or go online to www.southernmosttourismillinois.com. For guide service, contact Darrell VanVactor at (270) 395-4204 or e-mail him at dvanvactor@crappieusa.com.

CEDAR LAKE
Jackson County's 1,800-acre Cedar Lake is not what one would think of as a striper lake. That would be a mistake. Nine stockings of striped bass between 1990 and 2007 have established an up-and-coming fishery. IDNR surveys are incomplete at this point as they did not focus on this one species. Anglers have reported taking fish ranging from 5 to 23 pounds.

One of the attractions of the lake is a wilderness setting. Owned by the U.S. Forest Service and the city of Carbondale, the shoreline is void of development save a couple of boat-launch ramps and related parking lots. Local lake maps purchased at area bait shops show the main channel. What little current there is in the lake flows along it and attracts stripers.

Follow Illinois Route 51 from Carbondale about five miles to Cedar Lake Road and follow the signs to the parking lot. Guide service is available from Al Nutty at (618) 694-4897) or www.kinkaidlakeguides.com.

Bait may be obtained at Cooksey's Marine Sales & Bait Shop (618-993-3366), one mile south of the Williamson County Airport on Illinois Route 148. Motel accommodations are available in Carbondale. For information, check with the Carbondale Convention & Tourism Bureau (800-526-1500) or online at www.cctb.org.

BALDWIN LAKE
Located in the Baldwin Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area, this perched power plant lake contains hybrid stripers that grow very fast because of the heated water and a large population of gizzard shad.

The 2,000-acre lake provides water to cool generators at the power plant about three miles north of the Randolph County community of Baldwin. Presently living in these waters are two year-classes of hybrid stripers. The 2002 year-class contains some 5- to 6-pound fish, and the 2006 class are in the 6-pound range.

Although fishing is rated fair at this time, the next few years promise some good fish. Fishing from boats, with motors of 50 horsepower or less, is permitted. There is a boat ramp at the north end of the lake. No rentals are available. Shore-fishing is popular from the levee along the north end of the lake.

No concessions for bait, tackle and food are available on-site. But the items are available in Baldwin.

Illinois' striper fishery is alive and well. It is presently an underutilized fishery on some lakes. Those who partake of this opportunity recommend it highly.