Fishing Lake Taylorville

AKA: Taylorville Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Lake Taylorville Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
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Lake Taylorville, IL

Popular Fish Species Lake Taylorville, IL

Lake Taylorville Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Lake Taylorville is considered a good bass fishing lake by locals and tournament anglers alike. While fishing success can vary day to day, overall it's a good bass lake. Fishing for bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 4 pounds being caught. Bass often move shallow and become aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.

Lake Taylorville Popular Fish - White Crappie

White Crappie Fishing

Plenty of healthy white crappie reside in Lake Taylorville, as they are making a nice comeback this year. The fish population is healthy and crappie fishing is excellent. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate shallow brush and vegetation in Spring and Fall focusing on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out to as deep as 30 to 35 feet, as well as ledges near channels at these depths. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here.

Lake Taylorville Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

To fish for catfish on Lake Taylorville, most any rod and reel will work, as long as the line is strong enough. For serious catfish enthusiasts, using the right equipment improves success. A medium action, to medium-heavy action rod is ideal, in the 6' to 7' range. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits on at least 10-pound line. Use sharp hooks with bait holders on the shank, or circle hooks for live bait. Lake Taylorville has a decent population of channel catfish, and they are eager to bite. The typical fish are about 2 pounds, with larger ones caught frequently. Night fishing for catfish often delivers better results than daytime fishing. Fishing for channel catfish is often most productive around any kind of structure in the area. In Spring channel catfish migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, white crappie, sauger, bluegill, green sunfish and warmouth at Lake Taylorville in Illinois.

Lake Taylorville Fishing Video

Lake Taylorville Marina and Kiwanis Park are two popular stops at Lake Taylorville, a 1,300-acre lake in the central part of the state, 2 miles southeast of Taylorville. Boating and fishing are the favored activities here while experiencing more than 25 miles of shoreline.

Lake Taylorville, located in Illinois, is a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Spanning across 1,200 acres, this scenic lake offers a wide range of recreational activities and a diverse selection of fish species, making it a haven for anglers.

Fishing is one of the primary attractions at Lake Taylorville. Anglers can enjoy a rewarding experience as they cast their lines in search of various fish species that inhabit the lake's waters. One of the sought-after species is the sauger, a member of the perch family known for its delicious taste and challenging fight. Largemouth bass, are also plentiful and provide exciting angling opportunities. These powerful fish are known for their aggressive strikes and impressive fighting abilities.

In addition to sauger and bass, Lake Taylorville is home to other popular fish species such as bluegill, crappie, and sunfish. Bluegill, known for their vibrant colors and tasty flesh, are abundant in the lake and offer a great opportunity for anglers of all ages to enjoy a day of fishing. Crappie, another highly sought-after species, can be found in large numbers, and their delicious white meat makes them a favorite among many anglers. Sunfish, which include species like redear sunfish and pumpkinseed sunfish, provide additional variety to the angling experience at Lake Taylorville.

Whether it's the thrill of catching a prized sauger, the excitement of reeling in a bass, or the serene experience of camping by the lake, Lake Taylorville has something to offer every outdoor enthusiast. With its diverse fish population, beautiful scenery, and a variety of recreational activities, it remains a popular destination for fishing, boating, and camping, providing a memorable experience for all who visit.

Cabins, campgrounds, RV hookups, boat launch ramps and bait are all available at the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Taylorville

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Taylorville Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: NEARBY

Today's Weather & Forecast

Beyond fishing, Lake Taylorville offers a range of other recreational activities for visitors. Boating enthusiasts can take advantage of the lake's calm waters to enjoy a day of sailing, water skiing, or cruising. The lake is also suitable for kayaking and canoeing, allowing visitors to explore its scenic shoreline at their own pace. For those looking to spend a night or more, camping facilities are available, providing an opportunity to immerse oneself in the tranquility of the surrounding nature.

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Lake Taylorville Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, off W Shore Drive, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with docks and gravel parking.

Marinas

Lake Taylorville Marina
101 Sweeney Dr
Taylorville, IL 62568
217 824-5606