Central Illinois Bass Spots Close To Champaign

[Ratherbfishing]

Central Illinois, while not exactly a bass fishing desert, does have its limitations.  I've fished many ponds at Kickapoo with limited success. The ponds are deep and clear and not very fertile so their carrying capacity is limited.  You can catch a fair number of dinks, though, if that is worth your while.  Lake Mingo has some decent bass though it, too, is hit or miss.  If you like to wade, the middle fork river has smallmouth and rock bass.  I've never tried the south fork but it, too, has fish.  I will fish Dawson lake (near Le Roy) sometimes but the last time I was there it was so crowded I couldn't believe it.  There are some pretty good lakes but many are over an hour away.  I've heard other people swear by Clinton but clearly they must be better fishermen than me because I hate that lake.  I have a couple of neighborhood retention ponds I fish but one they seem to be doing their best to ruin it with chemicals.

[dougie511]

Central Illinois, while not exactly a bass fishing desert, does have its limitations.  I've fished many ponds at Kickapoo with limited success. The ponds are deep and clear and not very fertile so their carrying capacity is limited.  You can catch a fair number of dinks, though, if that is worth your while.  Lake Mingo has some decent bass though it, too, is hit or miss.  If you like to wade, the middle fork river has smallmouth and rock bass.  I've never tried the south fork but it, too, has fish.  I will fish Dawson lake (near Le Roy) sometimes but the last time I was there it was so crowded I couldn't believe it.  There are some pretty good lakes but many are over an hour away.  I've heard other people swear by Clinton but clearly they must be better fishermen than me because I hate that lake.  I have a couple of neighborhood retention ponds I fish but one they seem to be doing their best to ruin it with chemicals.

Ya the way it sounds lake mingo is the only one worth checking out in the kickapoo area! Is the bass fishing good at dawson? Ive never even tried to fish for smallmouth honestly i would love to just havent ever tried it. I have exremely solid ponds around me i just get bored throwing out whatever and catching bass i kind of like the challenges a lake brings to the table its much more rewarding when you actually catch fish lol. I went to walnut point today and had absolutely no luck there for the 2nd time now just one baby bass and the time before i got 3 baby bass we got so bored my buddy started throwing out a bobber and wax worm for bluegill and never even got a hit it was a horrible day on the water lol those are always saddening!!

[dougie511]

Im thinking its probably Dan Roney

im not sure but possibly!!

[Nice_Bass]

From what I hear its one section of the lake that is doing well. Being that there is a tournament coming up / happened that one spot is beat to crap. It just sounds like it is fishing small. I havent had the best of luck on clinton, where do you fish it. Feel free to pm I want to figure this lake out. 

I only fish about half the lake- the cold end and never going further north east then party/houseboat cove.

Typically I just do several runs of about 15-20 areas and can figure it out from there.  

There are days when it fishes small, but I don't know that there are any other lakes finishing with bigger bags in IL this year.

[Nice_Bass]

I live about 10minutes from Dawson, and only fish it early spring maybe once or twice.

Gets very crowded and quite frankly the quality is not good for bass either.  I usually fish for walleye or crappie when I go there out of boredom. 

8-10 years ago, that was actually a pretty good bass lake.

[tbone1993]

I only fish about half the lake- the cold end and never going further north east then party/houseboat cove.

Typically I just do several runs of about 15-20 areas and can figure it out from there.  

There are days when it fishes small, but I don't know that there are any other lakes finishing with bigger bags in IL this year.

The only other lake ive seen big bags come out of is sangchris. The only bad thing about clinton is so much of the lake is cut off.Like the back of houseboat cove.

[Nice_Bass]

The only other lake ive seen big bags come out of is sangchris. The only bad thing about clinton is so much of the lake is cut off.Like the back of houseboat cove.

The back of that cove is actually open now- I have not fished it at all, but it is fishable.

Now the underwater dikes cutoff by the power plant...still mad I cant fish there any longer.

[Ratherbfishing]

Ya the way it sounds lake mingo is the only one worth checking out in the kickapoo area! Is the bass fishing good at dawson? Ive never even tried to fish for smallmouth honestly i would love to just havent ever tried it. I have exremely solid ponds around me i just get bored throwing out whatever and catching bass i kind of like the challenges a lake brings to the table its much more rewarding when you actually catch fish lol. I went to walnut point today and had absolutely no luck there for the 2nd time now just one baby bass and the time before i got 3 baby bass we got so bored my buddy started throwing out a bobber and wax worm for bluegill and never even got a hit it was a horrible day on the water lol those are always saddening!!

I've never been to Walnut Point but I have, unfortunately, experienced fishing like you described.  Summer and, especially, late summer can be hard! 

 

Hmmm...I'm trying to think of other lakes I've fished in the local area.  Weldon Springs-early spring trip-couldn't catch a cold, A pond in Sibley (not to be confused with Sidney)-Not a very scenic pond but caught a few decent bass, Heritage lake on the old Chanute AFB grounds-pretty good in spring, not so good in summer.  I've never been to Lake Vermillion (in or near Danville) so I won't provide comment.

 

Some lakes that are worth a drive if you have the time and/or gas money:  Sanchris, Mill Creek, Kankakee River-has walleye, smallmouth, etc.  Evergreen Lake (near Bloomington) (has sauger, bass, muskie, white bass, crappie)-but also requires a boat fee if you are out-of-district (which champaign is).  There is another lake I'd share but I'd want to know what kind of fisherman you are first. Newton Lake is famous for big bass.  Personally, somewhat ashamedly, in the three times I've been there, i didn't do that great.

 

Dawson Lake has walleye which is a bit of an exotic species for around here.  (Well, Clinton has walleye too but you know how I feel about that lake-(bwell has heard me rage about that lake on many occassions).  Dawson is not great for bass though, apparently, there are a few small tourney's on it each year.  Given it's size, I am surprised it is fished as hard as it is.  Perhaps it's because, while it has a no-wake restriction, boats are not limited to certain horsewpower motors and anyone can put on there.

[Nice_Bass]

I've never been to Walnut Point but I have, unfortunately, experienced fishing like you described.  Summer and, especially, late summer can be hard! 

 

Hmmm...I'm trying to think of other lakes I've fished in the local area.  Weldon Springs-early spring trip-couldn't catch a cold, A pond in Sibley (not to be confused with Sidney)-Not a very scenic pond but caught a few decent bass, Heritage lake on the old Chanute AFB grounds-pretty good in spring, not so good in summer.  I've never been to Lake Vermillion (in or near Danville) so I won't provide comment.

 

Some lakes that are worth a drive if you have the time and/or gas money:  Sanchris, Mill Creek, Kankakee River-has walleye, smallmouth, etc.  Evergreen Lake (near Bloomington) (has sauger, bass, muskie, white bass, crappie)-but also requires a boat fee if you are out-of-district (which champaign is).  There is another lake I'd share but I'd want to know what kind of fisherman you are first. Newton Lake is famous for big bass.  Personally, somewhat ashamedly, in the three times I've been there, i didn't do that great.

 

Dawson Lake has walleye which is a bit of an exotic species for around here.  (Well, Clinton has walleye too but you know how I feel about that lake-(bwell has heard me rage about that lake on many occassions).  Dawson is not great for bass though, apparently, there are a few small tourney's on it each year.  Given it's size, I am surprised it is fished as hard as it is.  Perhaps it's because, while it has a no-wake restriction, boats are not limited to certain horsewpower motors and anyone can put on there.

I am also about 10 minutes from Evergreen and have been there once this year- fishing also used to be great here but anymore is pretty awful.  It does lack numbers, but also has some giant bass as well as muskie in there.  I have a pass on my boat every year and if someone wants to be out there just let me know!

I think you should share that lake you did not mention....

As far as dawson goes, that is exactly why it is always so busy- most of it is crappie fishing, but with the lake so small it just gets beat up no matter what. 

[dougie511]

I am also about 10 minutes from Evergreen and have been there once this year- fishing also used to be great here but anymore is pretty awful.  It does lack numbers, but also has some giant bass as well as muskie in there.  I have a pass on my boat every year and if someone wants to be out there just let me know!

I think you should share that lake you did not mention....

As far as dawson goes, that is exactly why it is always so busy- most of it is crappie fishing, but with the lake so small it just gets beat up no matter what. 

ya im interested in what lake hes talking about!! And i really wanna go to Newton lake and scope it out but im scared to go out on bigger lakes only having a trolley motor setup and no gas motor i need to find someone to take me fishin to some of these bigger lakes so i can give it a shot lol and possibly learn some stuff while im out there

[Jon G]

wow lol this has really helped me out haha. I just moved to champaign from CA and ive been strictly going to homer and sometimes clinton. Btw does anybody know if there are public ponds here? I will have to disagree on Homer being a hit and miss though haha i havent been skunked yet just last week i pulled out a 7.1lber on a pit boss i may try to get a picture up of her later.

[dougie511]

wow lol this has really helped me out haha. I just moved to champaign from CA and ive been strictly going to homer and sometimes clinton. Btw does anybody know if there are public ponds here? I will have to disagree on Homer being a hit and miss though haha i havent been skunked yet just last week i pulled out a 7.1lber on a pit boss i may try to get a picture up of her later.

Did you catch and release? and also i know of some really good private ponds but a couple i have to be with whoever fishes them but one has an excellent quality and quantity of healthy bass its fun to fish if you wanna go out and catch a lot for fun its almost to the point of needing a few taking out! Id love to slam a big bass at homer ive only gotten a couple 2 lbers and my buddy got a solid 3 lber from there cant wait to slam something over 5 hopefully

[Jon G]

Did you catch and release? and also i know of some really good private ponds but a couple i have to be with whoever fishes them but one has an excellent quality and quantity of healthy bass its fun to fish if you wanna go out and catch a lot for fun its almost to the point of needing a few taking out! Id love to slam a big bass at homer ive only gotten a couple 2 lbers and my buddy got a solid 3 lber from there cant wait to slam something over 5 hopefully

Oh yeah i released her i have never kept one haha. But yeah ive gotten a 7 and one 6 on a swimbait about about a month ago. The big ones always hang around the North Pennisula and the boat launch are to the left of the Pennisula.

 

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/102837353@N04/

These are the pictures 

[dougie511]

Oh yeah i released her i have never kept one haha. But yeah ive gotten a 7 and one 6 on a swimbait about about a month ago. The big ones always hang around the North Pennisula and the boat launch are to the left of the Pennisula.

 

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/102837353@N04/

These are the pictures 

Those are sick!!! And im the same way i always catch and release unless its bluegill or something that taste good hahaha i dont ever keep bass!! Peninsula do you mean by north boat launch that first little cut in where its real shallow or which boat launch you talking about? And why would you ever move here from cali HAHAHA

[Jon G]

Those are sick!!! And im the same way i always catch and release unless its bluegill or something that taste good hahaha i dont ever keep bass!! Peninsula do you mean by north boat launch that first little cut in where its real shallow or which boat launch you talking about? And why would you ever move here from cali HAHAHA

Thanks. By Pennisula I am talking about when you pull into the park you take the first right and go straight then you can go straight or take a right again. Going straight would take you to a boat launch (You can see the "right" side from here which is the north penninsula.) You will know if you are in the right spot because there should be a dock with a table to the right. If you were to take the right before you even turn there is a blue sign in white letters saying North Penninsula. Btw you cant launch a boat from here it is sort of like a place for families and such but there is many LARGE bass there. Just look for grass and brush piles and either bounce a jig off a brush pile or rip it through the grass and it will kill them. Hope this helps.

[Ratherbfishing]

ya im interested in what lake hes talking about!!

 

Confucius say: He who reveals his good fishing spots too soon will soon find he has none.

[dougie511]

Thanks. By Pennisula I am talking about when you pull into the park you take the first right and go straight then you can go straight or take a right again. Going straight would take you to a boat launch (You can see the "right" side from here which is the north penninsula.) You will know if you are in the right spot because there should be a dock with a table to the right. If you were to take the right before you even turn there is a blue sign in white letters saying North Penninsula. Btw you cant launch a boat from here it is sort of like a place for families and such but there is many LARGE bass there. Just look for grass and brush piles and either bounce a jig off a brush pile or rip it through the grass and it will kill them. Hope this helps.

Do you got your own boat? i seen those pics were on land so i was just curious and also wondering what u use to get around clinton

[Jon G]

Do you got your own boat? i seen those pics were on land so i was just curious and also wondering what u use to get around clinton

sadly when my family moved here my dad had to sell our boat so until i get my kayak in a month or two im stuck on land. For clinton my cousins other grandfather has a boat and if we clean it once a month we can take it out as a payment haha

[Nice_Bass]

Confucius say: He who reveals his good fishing spots too soon will soon find he has none.

 

Creepy panel van man say: "I'll show you mine if you show me yours"

[Ratherbfishing]

Creepy panel van man say: "I'll show you mine if you show me yours"

 

Confucius also say, he who walks sideways through airport turnstyle is likely going to Bangkok.

[tbone1993]

Confucius also say, he who walks sideways through airport turnstyle is likely going to Bangkok.

 Confucius also says, he who goes to sleep with itchy butthole wakes up with stinky fingers.

[dougie511]

sadly when my family moved here my dad had to sell our boat so until i get my kayak in a month or two im stuck on land. For clinton my cousins other grandfather has a boat and if we clean it once a month we can take it out as a payment haha

nice well if your around CU maybe we can fish sometime or something my main fishing partner has a weird work schedule so i dont go out as much as i would like to

[dougie511]

Creepy panel van man say: "I'll show you mine if you show me yours"

hey lets not hate on cargo vans i happen to drive one and love it hahaha "the raper van" i actually use it to haul my jon boat around to lol

[Tom H.]

_{Just a heads up if you ever fish Emiquon. Make sure you go and get your permit first. Permits are good from Jan 1 to Dec 31.}

[dougie511]

_{Just a heads up if you ever fish Emiquon. Make sure you go and get your permit first. Permits are good from Jan 1 to Dec 31.}

wheres emiquon?