-Check your copy of Our Best Times Calendar which has produced Good fishing for many (check photo on Home page).

ANDERSON LAKE (309/759-4484)
Catfish are FAIR on trot lines
Crappie FAIR-SLOW on minnows in north end ditch.

ARGYLE LAKE - In Argyle State Park SW of Macomb off US 136 309-776-3422
-- This lake has a 10hp motor limit.
Bass are FAIR on jigs and crankbaits
Catfish were FAIR on crawlers
Crappie are FAIR on jigs and or minnows
Saugeye are SLOW on crawlers

BANNER MARSH -3 access points on Routes 24/9 SW of Banner 3 miles, with a 25HP limit. (309-647-9184)
Bass were FAIR and Adam at Presley's says " mostly small males" on plastics, jigs or chatterbaits
Bluegills are SLOW-FAIR and small on wax worms
Crappie are FAIR to FAIR-SLOW on minnows or tube jigs with some spawning.

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE - Just southwest of Goofy Ridge. 309-535-2290 -
-- No Reports From Here Yet

DAWSON LAKE - East of Bloomington Exit #149 on I-74, North through LeRoy 4-miles on CH21 then East at Moraine View State Park sign.
--- Lake level at pool and stained.
Toby tells us the Bass have been GOOD on shallow running crankbaits with red hooks, white willow blade spinners slow rolled and plastics
Crappie were FAIR on minnows
Catfish are FAIR+ on dip baits along shoreline breaks throughout lake.
Walleye and Saugeye have been FAIR-SLOW on jigs and crawlers and trolling baits.
Call concession stand 309-724-8295, which is open Wednesdays through Sundays.
---Bow Fishing is allowed for carp from a boat on Dawson Lake, but not within 100 feet of any developed recreation areas.

DOUBLE T STATE FISH and WILDLIFE AREA (3 miles northwest of Canton) - From State Route 78 in Canton, turn West on Vine Street (County Hwy. 21) go 3 miles turn right following County Hwy. 21 for 1-mile to cross-road (Cypress Rd.) and turn left (west), Lakes are 1 to 1 1/2 miles.
Bass have been FAIR on plastic, chatterbaits and crankbaits
Crappie FAIR-SLOW on minnows around shore brush

DUCK ISLAND FISHING LAKES - US Route 24 West from Peoria about 2-mile past Rice Lake on the left.
---This Area Is OPEN to public But we have No Reports from here --

EVERGREEN LAKE - North of Bloomington to Exit #8 on I-39, and West just over 1-mile and turn left (south) at sign.
This Lake has BOATING FEES and Evergreen Lake remains a 10 hp (or less) lake. You may use a larger motor ONLY to load and unload from your trailer. Larger motors MUST be propped out of the water once you are away from the courtesy docks.
- - Effective April 1, 2008 Evergreen Lake Will Has NEW Regulations On Crappie (White, Black, & Hybrids) Of a 9” Minimum Length Limit And a 15 Fish Daily Creel Limit. - -
-- The bait shop at the concession stand near the boat ramp is open Saturdays and Sundays from 6 am to 4 pm until Memorial Day weekend, when hours will be 6 am to 6 pm seven days a week.
--Lake level is just above full pool with temps about 58 - 61
-Bass are FAIR-SLOW and a bit finicky on slow fished plastics around shallow cover.
-Catfish are FAIR on nightcrawlers near the Boat Rental and in Campground Cove with a 13 pound caught last weekend.
-Crappies remain FAIR-SLOW and hit or miss on small tubes tipped with minnows in 8-12' of water west side of Deer Island, just inside (left side) of Six-Mile Creek Bay, Two Cedars Cove, and Campground Cove with a 1 lb. 2 oz, 12 3/4 inch Crappie caught last weekend
-Muskie were SLOW-FAIR on large minnow baits in the north end of the lake.
-Saugeye are FAIR but most are small on jig and crawler around main lake humps and points.
--Mike Steffa has this BOWFISHING Report: Not a whole lot to report, but a few carp are moving into the shallows for the spawn. I would say about another 5-7 degree warm-up in the water and we'll have a full spawn going on.
-- As a Note, the "ENGEL AQUAFARM" Bait and Tackle Shop has CLOSED

HEIDECKE LAKE -
--Water temps were below 60 and have been windy this week on lake
Catfish are SLOW-FAIR on crawlers
Crappie are SLOW-FAIR on jigs and minnows
Hybrid Stripers are FAIR on trolled baits.
Smallmouth were SLOW
-Walleye were FAIR-GOOD on crawler or leech rigs with some on crankbaits

HENNEPIN-HOPPER LAKES - 2 miles South of Hennepin off IL Route 26, turn West on Road 810N and then next right.)
--OPENS TO PUBLIC on Fridays & Saturdays ONLY from sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset for first 50 vehicles From May 2nd till end of Sept.
--NO BANK FISHING, NO MINNOWS Boat-fishing is allowed with an electric trolling motor ONLY and NO gas motors on boats. Donations welcomed and There are Full memberships available for $300/year, call Site super Rick Seibert 815-481-0778.
--Fishing has Been SLOW here during the 1st weekend open

LAKE BLOOMINGTON - North of Bloomington to Exit #8 on I-39, and East for 3 1/2-miles.
---This Lake does have a BOATING FEE, a 40hp limit and a 8" limit on Bluegills.
---Lake is little above pool and stained -We fished this lake Monday and most fish came during our Fishing Calendar minor time..
-Bass are FAIR on most baits, crankbaits, spinners and plastics in 4-6 foot range and we caught several males with only one female.
-Bluegills are SLOW
-We found Crappie were FAIR-GOOD on jigs/chartreuse twisters, minnows under a bobber and some on spinners up in both creeks near wood and ready to spawn.
-We found the Walleye were FAIR on jigs with twisters or minnows and roadrunners off points and mouth of coves.
-We found the Hybrid Striper were FAIR and scattered up in creeks near flats and along seawalls on chartreuse twisters on white jigs, rattle baits and blade baits.
--No Word On Catfish this week..?
-- As a Note, the "ENGEL AQUAFARM" Bait and Tackle Shop has CLOSED

LAKE DECATUR -
Catfish were FAIR+ on cut shad, shrimp and dip baits.
Crappie were FAIR-GOOD on minnows and/or jigs in shallow near bank with word of a 17 inch fish last weekend.
WhiteBass are FAIR on roadrunners and bladebaits.
--Below spillway was FAIR for WhiteBass , Stripers and Catfish.

LAKE EUREKA -This Lake is only 30 acres in Eureka.
A good place for the family and kids, a lake where the whole shore line can be fished, there is a boat ramp and ONLY trolling motors are allowed ( NO MOTORS ALLOWED EVEN ON YOUR BOAT ! ) - - There was a City Ordinance of NO MINNOWS ALLOWED. Check with City for verification and watch for possible changes to Lake Rules this year...
Bass were FAIR on plastics, shallow running minnow type baits and spinners near shore cover.
Bluegills were FAIR around shore cover on wax worms or flies.
Crappie were FAIR+ in afternoons while most are small and were in shallow near timber or brush

LAKE JACKSONVILLE -
--Lake level is high
Bass are FAIR-SLOW on plastics and small crankbaits near timber.
Catfish were FAIR-SLOW on dip baits, shad and liver.
Crappie were FAIR-GOOD and good size on minnows around brush or timber.

LAKE SHELBYVILLE - Between Shelbyville and Sullivan -LAKE OFFICE (217) 774-2020.
-- The Lake is below summer with water temps about 62-64 and slightly stained.
Bass were FAIR on spinners, small crankbaits and plastics around shore cover.
Crappie are FAIR+ and heading to a spawn, on jigs, roadrunners and/or minnows around shore laydowns or brush with a few out over deeper water..
WhiteBass are FAIR-GOOD on bladebaits, roadrunners or jigs/twisters up in the rivers.
Muskie were SLOW
-- Effective on April 1st, the Lake has a new Crappie daily limit allowing anglers to keep 5 fish under 10 inch in addition to 10 fish 10 inch or over.

LAKE STOREY -North of US 34, 1 mile on US 150 at north edge of Galesburg.
This Lake is City owned and only allows trolling motors
Bass were FAIR and seem to be in spawn on jigs, small crankbaits and plastics lizards in shallow
Bluegills FAIR but small on wax worms or crickets along shoreline cover
Crappie were FAIR+ near brush in 3-5 foot on minnows or jigs
Catfish are FAIR-SLOW on liver, crawlers and dip baits
Walleye are SLOW with a 27 inch caught (and released) last week on jig and crawler.
Muskie FAIR on stickbaits and fairly shallow
Check with Al from AL's SPORTING GOODS in Galesburg before going.

McMASTER LAKE at - SNAKEDEN HOLLOW - - NW of Peoria, just 1 1/2 miles East of Victoria South off IL Route 167, there is a 10HP limit. 309-879-2607
Bass were FAIR on all lakes and in shallow caught with small crankbiats and plastics.
Bluegills were FAIR+ on waxworms in walk-in lakes.
Catfish are FAIR+ on crawlers, minnows and dipbaits at most all lakes
Crappie FAIR on minnows and tube jigs in walk-in lakes at 4-6 foot.
Muskie were FAIR-SLOW .
Walleye are SLOW on jig/minnow on McMasters.
--Check with Randy at Victoria Tackle Shop (309-879-2664) for current info and all your Fishing or outdoor needs.

REND LAKE -
-- We will be spending some time here this year and will provide periodic reports
--Water temps about 60-62 stained and still over normal pool.
Bass are FAIR on jigs, shallow crankbaits, plastics such as lizards and spinnerbaits in creeks and along rocks.
Bluegills are FAIR on crickets and wax worms in backs of coves and around shore cover.
Catfish remain GOOD on leeches, cut shad, night crawlers and dip baits around the bridges and creeks near main lake with some off areas of rip-rap.
-Guide Todd Gessner (who you can reach at 618-513-0520) says, Crappie are FAIR-GOOD on minnows and or jigs around bridge pillars, rip rap along Route 154 and Christmas tree sets and shoreline cover.

SHABBONA LAKE -
- - - Park hours May thru October 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
---Lake temps about 60-62
-Bass were FAIR+ on crankbaits and plastics in back of bays or along dam with most 14-16 inch
-Bluegills were SLOW-FAIR on wax worms near shore cover
-Catfish are SLOW-FAIR in the bays using nightcrawlers.
-Crappie are GOOD and near spawn on jigs along most shoreline and no-motor zone area.
-Muskie were FAIR-GOOD on bucktails and crankbait in bays.
Walleyes should be moving out of the depths and feeding aggressively.
--Guide Jay Angel says "Shallow water in the back of bays has been a hotspot while the Crappie spawn should move south down the lake this week and Look for bass to move shallow into spawning beds soon."
You can contact Jay for Guided trips at (815)739-7030 .
-NO NEW REPORTS From Here - -->

SPRING LAKE (South & North) - Just south of Pekin off Manito Blacktop, 5 miles northwest of Manito, and there is a 25HP limit. (309-968-7135)
--Weeds are starting to take off...
Bass are FAIR on plastics (lizards), shallow running crankbaits and buzzbaits in south end and north end.
Bluegills were FAIR on waxworms in south end and mostly small ones
Catfish were FAIR on shad. liver and crawlers in south lake along parking areas in evenings.
Crappie are FAIR on jigs or minnows.
Muskie were SLOW

WILDLIFE PRAIRIE STATE PARK LAKES-
OPEN TO PUBLIC With a $5.50 fee to enter Park (or purchase a membership -$30). Call 676-0998 for details.
--- FISHING HOURS are From when Park Opens to 1 hour before closing March 1st through December 9th
-- PARK HOURS: 9am-4:30pm (through April 30th); 9am-5:30pm (May 1st through May 23); 8am-6:30pm (May 24-through Sept 1); 9am-6:30pm (Sept 2-Sept 30); 9am-4:30pm (Oct. 1 through Dec. 14)
-FISHING has been reported as FAIR-SLOW but check back..

- - - -SOME ILLINOIS POWER PLANT LAKES - - - -

BRAIDWOOD LAKE -
--Fishing hours allowed are extends to 8 p.m.
Bass are SLOW on crankbait off points and drop-shots along breaks
Bluegills are SLOW-FAIR on waxworms in warm water bays.
Catfish FAIR-SLOW on shad or dip baits.

CLINTON LAKE - Three miles east of Clinton off Route 10 or 54 Ph 217/935-8722.
A PORTION OF LAKE FROM ABOUT IP POINT UP TO 54 BRIDGE IS CLOSED
--A NO-WAKE speed limit is in effect from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise at Clinton Lake. Signs will be posted at the lake for reminders and a Violation will lead to a $75 ticket.
-- Lake level is just over pool and stained.
-Bass are FAIR on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs/pork and plastic worms
-Bluegills were FAIR on wax worms in coves
-Catfish are FAIR-GOOD on shad, shrimp, crawlers or dip baits throughout lake.
-Crappie were FAIR-SLOW on minnows or jigs around bridges, trees or brush
-Hybrid Stripers are FAIR-SLOW on big spinner and jigs with big minnows on west side of lake.
-Walleye were FAIR-SLOW on jigs/crawler or minnows off flats.
-WhiteBass were FAIR on roadrunners, jig/twisters and bladebaits around bridges early or late.
--And last week Below the Spillway the Hybrid Stripers and Walleye were FAIR on jigs with twisters or crawlers.

COFFEEN LAKE - Southeast of Hillsboro off Rt 127 or south of Coffeen off Rt 185, site office 217-537-3351.
-- There is a 25hp motor limit.
Bass have been FAIR-GOOD on topwater baits (buzzbaits), crankbait and plastics.
Catfish are GOOD on dip baits and cut bait with some nice Flatheads caught too
Crappie were SLOW
Stripers are FAIR-SLOW on deep running crankbaits

LAKE of EGYPT - About 8 miles south of Marion east of Route 37.
Bass were GOOD around and in weeds and along rocky areas on plastics, jigs/craws and crankbaits.
Bluegills are SLOW on wax worms and part crawlers on shallow points and outside weed edges.
Catfish are FAIR on cut bait, big minnows and night crawlers.
Crappie are in a spawn and FAIR-SLOW minnows and jigs around shore cover..

LAKE SPRINGFIELD - At Springfield off I-55 Exit 94 and go the east.
--- Boat licenses for Lake Springfield are sold 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Thursday through Monday at City Water, Light and Power’s boat licensing station at the Lindsay Bridge Boat Ramp during season. (Licenses also are available at the Lake Springfield Marina and the Boat Dock)
----Lake level is near pool.
Bass are FAIR-SLOW on small crankbaits and white spinnerbaits in north part of lake with a 7 pounder last week
Crappie were SLOW-FAIR on roadrunners or jigs/minnows.
WhiteBass were FAIR+ on jigs, spinners and bladebaits in or near creeks and near warm water ditch.
Catfish were FAIR+ on crawlers, cut shad and shrimp with a Big Blue caught this week

LaSALLE LAKE -
Bass were SLOW-FAIR this past week.
Bluegills were FAIR-SLOW on wax worms or part crawler.
Catfish are FAIR-GOOD on cut baits, dip baits or liver with a few on crawlers.
Smallmouth were SLOW.
Stripers were SLOW-FAIR on trolled baits.

NEWTON LAKE - 16 -17 miles southeast of Effingham off Route 33.
--Lake was stained on Wed.
-Bass were FAIR-GOOD on topwater baits, crankbait and plastics along weeds.
-Bluegills are FAIR but small
-Catfish are FAIR-GOOD on nightcrawlers, cut bait and minnows near the dam.
-Crappie were SLOW and in spawn

POWERTON LAKE - One mile south of Pekin off Route 29 along Manito Blacktop.
---- site Office 309-968-7135
-- SUMMER HOURS 6am-8pm as of May 1st
- - - POWERTON LAKE is Open ongoing work on the discharge keeps lake Closed to boats..
- - This LAKE Remains CLOSED TO BOATS Till Further Notice- - (( No Word yet when boats may be allowed..?))
Bluegills were FAIR
Catfish are FAIR+ in most of the lake on shad, crawlers and Hoss´s Hawg Bait
Smallmouth were FAIR on tube jigs and jigs/twisters

SANGCHRIS LAKE - South of Springfield off I-55 Exit 82 and go east on Route 104 about 10 miles, with a 25HP limit.
--- Sangchris Lake site office at 217/498-9208.
-- The Lake has a new Large & Smallmouth Bass of total daily limit of 3 with only 1 of 15 inch or over and 2 fish under 15 inch.
Bass are FAIR-SLOW on small crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastics.
Bluegill are FAIR on wax worms and best near dam and coves
Crappie were FAIR-SLOW on minnows or tube jigs around brush with some 10 - 12 inch with a report a 15 inch.
Catfish are FAIR on crawlers, shrimp, cut baits and dipbaits.
Stripers were FAIR-SLOW on drifted shad.
WhiteBass are FAIR on bladebaits and jig/twisters near discharge