Help Needed and Appreciated

[Nibbles]

Hi all,

Tomorrow, I am going on a trip to Evergreen Lake in Illinois. It's a decent 900 acre-ish lake that supposedly has a lot of fish, but it will be my first time there. I'm not a great angler, and will be on a rowboat tomorrow.

I looked over the topo map and a google satellite map of the lake, and have marked the map regarding where to throw what baits. Could you guys give me some input as to whether my plan has any chance of working? Perhaps correct me and give me a better plan for the day?

Here's my marked-up map.

The link to the topo is here: http://www.mcleancountyil.gov/Parks/pdf/lakemap.pdf

Much appreciated guys.

[helms83]

Sorry I have no tips for you, but I'm curious about bass fishing in IL. I'm originally from Byron, IL (15m from Rockford) and I have not heard of any good bass fishing spots in Northern IL. I live in KY now (near Louisville) and go by the Champaign area all the time to go home. Are there any good areas to fish that are open to the public close to 74?

[evrgladesbasser]

Dang you're organized! Your plan sounds like a good starting point, but don't be afraid to deviate if it fails. Stop at a local bait shop before you fish, there you will learn lake specific information. Good luck!

[bonzai22]

Looks good i would defintely try a bass jig you can catch some real nice bass out of evergreen with them and i havent been there since june but the few rocky parts in the lake were the best so i would give those a try

[Nibbles]

Sorry I have no tips for you, but I'm curious about bass fishing in IL. I'm originally from Byron, IL (15m from Rockford) and I have not heard of any good bass fishing spots in Northern IL. I live in KY now (near Louisville) and go by the Champaign area all the time to go home. Are there any good areas to fish that are open to the public close to 74?

East of Champaign is Homer Lake. It's close to I-74.

I-74 also runs through Kickapoo State Park, which has lots of ponds. I hear they have bass there, and also stock trout during spring. There's always Lake Vermilion in Danville.

Clinton Lake is right off of 74 as well.

[Nice_Bass]

I fish there several times a week.  Great lake.  You have a series of blue dots on the big flat on the north end of the lake.  Be careful not to spend too much time close, there is no structure however early and late the shad will get chased up in there, but nothing great.   Also, it looks like you are putting in at the shallow end of the lake, not much action down there, I would not fish that end this late if you are looking for big fish.  Put in at white oak instead, especially if you are trying to cover that much water in a row boat? 

Early, throw the rip rap bank on the north end, lots of grass is 8-12 ft water that forage starts stacking up on, move to your dropshot points next, and forget the flathonestly it is like a desert and very heavily pressured.  Also, throw a big jig on the steep rip rap by the pumphouse in the day.  Lots of additional O2 is getting put out there and can draw the forage in.

To get to white oak- take the Hudson exit before the Kappa exit that would get you to the  Campsite boat ramp if by 39

If from Bloomington, take Veterans all the way out to Hudson, than head to white oak.

Please let us know how you do one way or another.

[Nibbles]

I fish there several times a week. Great lake. You have a series of blue dots on the big flat on the north end of the lake. Be careful not to spend too much time close, there is no structure however early and late the shad will get chased up in there, but nothing great. Also, it looks like you are putting in at the shallow end of the lake, not much action down there, I would not fish that end this late if you are looking for big fish. Put in at white oak instead, especially if you are trying to cover that much water in a row boat?

Early, throw the rip rap bank on the north end, lots of grass is 8-12 ft water that forage starts stacking up on, move to your dropshot points next, and forget the flathonestly it is like a desert and very heavily pressured. Also, throw a big jig on the steep rip rap by the pumphouse in the day. Lots of additional O2 is getting put out there and can draw the forage in.

To get to white oak- take the Hudson exit before the Kappa exit that would get you to the Campsite boat ramp if by 39

If from Bloomington, take Veterans all the way out to Hudson, than head to white oak.

Please let us know how you do one way or another.

Thanks for the tips! I will try this on my next trip there. Today, I got there at around 8:30 AM, but had to row back at around 9:30 due to the incoming storm.

[WRB]

Unless you have a good trolling motor to assist your oars, stay within a mile of where you launched so you will have some fishing time on the water.

Looks fairly weedy in the shallower areas and I would focus on deeper breaks and any wood or rocks to can get to. The highway rip rap and points nearby look good at first glance.

WRB

PS; you might also consider taking an anchor and rope with you to allow you to position your rowboat in any wind.

[NateFollmer]

Unless you have a good trolling motor to assist your oars, stay within a mile of where you launched so you will have some fishing time on the water.

+1, nothing is worse than rowing (or even running the TM at full speed) and taking 30 minutes+ to get to a spot. I would stay as close to the launch as you could. Heck, if there are docks, FISH the launch

If you do decide to go too far from the launch, watch the weather. Nothing is worse than being stuck out in the middle of the lake and having to row for your life!

[Nibbles]

I fish there several times a week. Great lake. You have a series of blue dots on the big flat on the north end of the lake. Be careful not to spend too much time close, there is no structure however early and late the shad will get chased up in there, but nothing great. Also, it looks like you are putting in at the shallow end of the lake, not much action down there, I would not fish that end this late if you are looking for big fish. Put in at white oak instead, especially if you are trying to cover that much water in a row boat?

Early, throw the rip rap bank on the north end, lots of grass is 8-12 ft water that forage starts stacking up on, move to your dropshot points next, and forget the flathonestly it is like a desert and very heavily pressured. Also, throw a big jig on the steep rip rap by the pumphouse in the day. Lots of additional O2 is getting put out there and can draw the forage in.

To get to white oak- take the Hudson exit before the Kappa exit that would get you to the Campsite boat ramp if by 39

If from Bloomington, take Veterans all the way out to Hudson, than head to white oak.

Please let us know how you do one way or another.

When will you be there next? Would you mind showing me around the lake if you have an extra spot in your boat? 

[Nice_Bass]

I fish there several times a week. Great lake. You have a series of blue dots on the big flat on the north end of the lake. Be careful not to spend too much time close, there is no structure however early and late the shad will get chased up in there, but nothing great. Also, it looks like you are putting in at the shallow end of the lake, not much action down there, I would not fish that end this late if you are looking for big fish. Put in at white oak instead, especially if you are trying to cover that much water in a row boat?

Early, throw the rip rap bank on the north end, lots of grass is 8-12 ft water that forage starts stacking up on, move to your dropshot points next, and forget the flathonestly it is like a desert and very heavily pressured. Also, throw a big jig on the steep rip rap by the pumphouse in the day. Lots of additional O2 is getting put out there and can draw the forage in.

To get to white oak- take the Hudson exit before the Kappa exit that would get you to the Campsite boat ramp if by 39

If from Bloomington, take Veterans all the way out to Hudson, than head to white oak.

Please let us know how you do one way or another.

When will you be there next? Would you mind showing me around the lake if you have an extra spot in your boat?

PM me sometime.  I am sure we can figure somthing out. 

[zero]

stop at local tackle store

last weekend we were at lake oneida for bass tournament and we stopped by gander mountian which is like 10-20 min away so we asked the person who work there and he told me what to lures to use and hot spots and we got 2nd place lost by 5 ounces

[slonezp]

There was a fish kill caused by the weather and asian carp

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/recreation/fishing/article_03df4e40-951d-11df-b67e-001cc4c002e0.html