OTHER LAKES
Northern Illinois has a number of private lakes with solid walleye populations, but fishing here is limited to property owners and guests of property owners -- sort of like the situation that exists on Lake Bloomington, except that Bloomington is supposedly a public fishery.

Public lakes in which walleyes swim are typically centerpieces for state, county or municipal parks. These waters receive frequent supplemental stocking to ensure continuation of the fishery.

The most exciting development in recent years is establishment of a saugeye fishery on state waters. Evergreen Lake has the best reputation and the potential to give up the next state saugeye record. Tiny 77-acre Lake Carlton in Morrison-Rockwood State Park in Whiteside County has offered opportunities for this walleye/sauger hybrid for years. But if there is a "sleeper" saugeye lake in the Prairie State, it has to be Dawson Lake in Moraine View State Park southeast of Bloomington. The initial year-class of saugeyes stocked here in 2003 is now 22 to 24 inches long, according to DNR fisheries biologist Mike Garthaus. DNR surveys indicate the saugeye hybrids stocked here, "demonstrate a consistently faster growth rate than the walleyes that are also stocked here."

Pierce and Olson lakes in the shadow of Rockford are two state lakes where catching a 4-pound or larger walleye is possible. These lakes are part of the Rock Cut State Park complex.

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Now you face another dilemma besides trying to decide what kind of boat to buy. Which way do you tow it, north or south?

Find more about Illinois fishing and hunting at: IllinoisGameandFish.com