Guide To The Best Bass Fishing Lakes In Illinois

Fish for spotted, smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Visit the Bass Knowledge Center for valuable information about bass and bass fishing.

Bass reside in ponds, creeks, rivers, streams, small lakes and large impoundments across the state. Bass lakes in Illinois. Some of the larger lakes with healthy populations of bass include Anderson Lake, Carlyle Lake, Cedar Lake, Clinton Lake, Coffeen Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, Devils Kitchen Lake, East Fork Lake, Evergreen Lake, Fox Chain O' Lakes, Governor Bond Lake, Heidecke Lake, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Carroll, Lake Decatur, Lake Lou Yeager, Lake Mattoon, Lake Michigan, Lake Of Egypt, Lake Shelbyville, Lake Springfield, Lake Taylorville, Little Grassy Lake, Newton Lake, Otter Lake, Rend Lake and Sangchris Lake.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Top 5 Bass Fishing Lures For Illinois

When bass are shallow, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and stickbaits are the most productive. As they move deeper, worms and jigs are among the top producers.

Illinois State Record Bass

The state record largemouth bass was caught in Stone Quarry Lake.

The state record smallmouth came from a strip mine lake.

The state record spotted bass came out of a strip mine lake.

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Brennan Kirby shows off a nice 7lb smallmouth.

Bass fishin

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g basics video.

Understanding the primary seasonal movements of smallmouth bass and largemouth bass is key to locating them on local lakes in the Prairie State.

Catch big bass!

Bass fishing information by state.