Top 5 Southern Illinois Lakes For Bass Fishing
Southwest Illinois has some of the best lakes in the Midwest for bass fishing. With its beautiful scenery, different water bodies, and healthy fish populations, this area is a secret gem for those wanting to go for bigmouth bass fishing in Southern Illinois . Get your fishing gear ready, and let us explore the best lakes in Illinois for bass fishing. 1. Lake Of Egypt With its warm waters and variety of fish habitat, Lake of Egypt in Williamson County, Illinois, is one of the best places to go bass fishing. A power plant company manages it and stays warmer year-round due to the constant flow of heated water from the plant’s cooling system. This special feature keeps bass active, even when it’s cold outside, so it’s a great place to fish all year. On average, the lake is about 2,300 acres big and 18 feet deep, so you can catch something anywhere. Fishers can catch Bass in the lake in shallow areas with laydowns, brush, logs, and grass. If fishing near cover doesn’t work, the lake’s steep riprap sides and deep drop-offs—some as high as 52 feet—are great places to catch the fish. 2. Kinkaid Lake Kinkaid is about 2750 acres big and is 5 miles north of Murphysboro. This lake is famous for its stunning rocks and hills. The drop-offs and 80-foot depths of Kinkaid make it a great place to fish, especially at the Johnson Creek Recreation Area and Kinkaid Marina. Expert Tips ● Fish are near things that are submerged, such as weed beds. ● You can catch fish with spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwaters. ● Keep the fish population healthy by using catch-and-release methods. 3. Rend Lake
Rend Lake is in Franklin County and covers 18,900 acres, making it one of the bigger lakes in Illinois. The average depth is about 15 feet, so there are many places where you can fish with different kinds of food and gear. If you want to go bass fishing in Rend Lake, Sandusky Bay, and Jackie Branch, these are two of the best spots. You May Also Like: 5 Caving Adventures In Illinois You Can’t Miss 4. Cedar Lake Cedar Lake is a beautiful 1,750-acre lake in the Shawnee National Forest perfect for bass fishing. The lake is a great place for bass fishermen to go, as it has deep, clear water and rocky shores that are perfect for largemouth bass. Expert Advice ● To find bass, look for underwater objects, like rocks and downed trees. ● The best times to fish for bass are early morning and late at night. ● Use soft bait like worms to fish carefully around brush piles and weed beds. ● When it’s warmer, go after bass in deeper water, where they like cooler water. ● Try fishing with topwater lures on calm mornings for big bass hits close to the shore. ● Pay attention to which way the wind is blowing; bass tends to feed more on the side of the lake that is away from the wind. ● It’s important to be patient because bass can be hard to find, but regularly casting to known bass areas will pay off. 5. Little Grassy Lake Little Grassy Lake in the Shawnee National Forest is a bass fisherman’s dream for those who want a challenging and relaxing adventure. The thick woods, rolling hills, and clear water around this 1,200-acre lake make it a great place for largemouth bass to live. What makes Little Grassy Lake a must-fishing spot is its underwater structure. The water has rocky points, underwater trees, and deep waterways that give bass places to hide and grow. Since the lake is controlled as a prize bass fishery, many catch bass between 4 and 6 pounds, and some even catch fish over 8 pounds. Summing Up Southern Illinois has excellent bass fishing options, with different habitats and strong bass numbers. This list of the best spots for bass fishing in Southern Illinois is sure to give you an amazing fishing trip, no matter how much experience you have. Just remember to follow the rules for fishing in Illinois and the area as you explore these lakes. Have fun and enjoy the beautiful nature they have to offer. Want to know what else Southern Illinois has to offer? Check out our other blogs here. Frequently Asked Questions 1. Why is southern Illinois a great place to fish for bass? Southern Illinois has some of the Midwest’s top bass fishing lakes, with strong fish numbers, diversified habitats, and attractive locations. Lakes like Lake of Egypt, Kinkaid, and Rend Lake are great places to catch bigmouth bass all year.
2. Are there any rules I should know when I fish in Southern Illinois? Yes, you should always follow the rules for fishing in your area to safeguard the fish and the environment. Many lakes ask people to follow catch-and-release practices to keep the ecosystem healthy. 3. Is it possible to fish all year in the lakes in Southern Illinois? Yes, many lakes, like Lake of Egypt, are good for fishing all year because the water stays the same temperature and there are lots of bass in them.
