Central Illinois Fishing - Help!!!!!!

[TheChad]

Hey all,<br /><br />I have lived in Central Illinois (Decatur) for almost 2 years now, In 2 years, we have caught about 4 fish, with only 1 being sizable, it was a Big Mouth Bass caught in Mill Creek.<br /><br />I am just about to give up on fishing. It is getting really old going out weekend after weekend and catching nothing, 99% of the time not even getting a hit.<br /><br />I moved from Northern California where we use to fish Ranbow Trout. That was the only fish that we would catch in California, and we did well fishing for them.<br /><br />We would like to catch Walleye, Catfish, White bass, Black Bass, Muskie, Striped Bass.<br /><br />We arn't too picky. We have lost hundreds of dollars in tackel on trees, rocks, etc, but have nothing to speak of for it :-/<br /><br />Help Us!!<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Central Illinois Fishing - Help!!!!!!

Wow! ya'll need a lots of help. Best thing for bass is to join a local bass club and go as a non-boater so you can learn from the guy in the front of the boat. Catfish is easy, you just have to remember that they are shallow, murky water creature, they're mainly bottom feeder but will chase down bait. Use big, heavy hook and bait like chicken liver, chopped steak, I've caught them on bacon and hotdog. Catfish have very strong sense of smell so the stinkier the bait the better it works. Basspro have a bunch of instructional videos and watch as much fishing on tv as you can. ESPN, OLN, Outdoor Channel, Fox Sport network have lots of fishing shows on the weeekend. Good lucks and oh if you gets really deperates, hire a guide.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Central Illinois Fishing - Help!!!!!!

You are right there at Rend Lake. It is one of the best crappie lakes in the Midwest. Tournaments there all the time. Stop one of the contestants on practice day and they will tell you all about it. The local bait shops are a great source of info as well as the park personell. Get a topographical map of the lake and fish the deep points during the summer. Use jigs or minnows on a bobber at the depth you find them at on your sonar and hold on. Great eating. Crab Orchard is just south of you. Very shallow lake but good for bluegill, redear, and bass. Farm ponds abound there. Just stop and introduce yourself, tell him that you are new to the area, a little about yourself (exactly where you live and phone numbers are good) and ask if you can fish. Tell him you will even throw them back if he wants. Offer to clean a mess of fish for him. 90% of the time he will say yes. Just make sure you leave no sign that you were there and don't wear out your welcome. In no time you will have so many ponds to fish that you might fish each of them three times a summer and will have met new people. Some will be friends and some will become just someone else you know but all of them will be contacts in a new community for you.

 

[TheChad]

Re: Central Illinois Fishing - Help!!!!!!

Well, Rend lake is a few hours from here.. The Local lakes are Lake Decatur, Lake Clinton, Lake Shelbyville.<br /><br />Those are the 3 lakes we frequent. Lake Shelbyville probably being the best of the 3, 2nd is Lake Clinton.<br /><br />We do have a vacation planned to visit Rend lake at the end of August for a week.<br /><br />We visited Lake Shelbyville yesterday, and I cought 3 small fish, 2 Baby black Bass, and 2 baby white bass.<br /><br />All were caught on a Minow. Simple setup, Small weight, 2' leader, straight down from boat, on the bottom. 10-15' of water.<br /><br />I would love to catch something worth wrighting home about.<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[fireman57]

Re: Central Illinois Fishing - Help!!!!!!

If you like crappie and bluegill try the white bass, you'll love them. Stop by a Gander Mountain or similiar store and pick up a #3 chrome Blue Fox. Put a swivel on your line hook it up and throw it when you find the white bass. Let it sink for a good five to ten count and just reel it in. As soon as you feel the blade spinning keep that retrieve, it will be nice and slow, and hang on. Check the creel limits on them for the lake that you are on. Don't get caught with more than you are supposed to. When you find them the action will be hot and heavy. You definitely will be hooked, so to speak, on these fish. They eat real well.

 

[xxxxxx]

Re: Central Illinois Fishing - Help!!!!!!

Don't forget Kinkade Lake. Lots shore line and fingers.<br />Good luck I'll be there this weekend fishing.<br />A full moon this weekend.

 

[davidhicks]

Re: Central Illinois Fishing - Help!!!!!!

Fish in lake Decatur are a rare find, but i know were to find them. One good spot is fairies park, try back trolling meps or sandblasters between reysbridge and the old railroad bridge. thats a great way to catch whites stripers and walleye and the occasional largemouth. Another good place is 36 bridge at night it is 25 feet deep in the channel under the bridge, fish with shad or bluegill I have seen a 50pound flathead come out of there. Next if you go to the far south basin there is a sand bar walleye pile up on.
Now if you leave the boat behind you can head out 121 twords mtzion turn right at big creek stables you will run in to big creek witch is filled to brim with crappie(spring and fall) if you head past bigcreek you hit sportsman park there is a pond stocked with largemouth and trout.
And the cream of the crop and I hate telling you this head to the south side of the old small dam fish right up against the dam with a 3/8 jig with a 4'' curly tail grub(chartuce in color) throw a little past the wall let it float out and when it hits the calm water before the current BAM huge stripper ever time 8-16lbs on average(this only works when the water is up and moving.
I hope my long rant helps you out a little.

 

[geeco1]

Re: Central Illinois Fishing - Help!!!!!!

Hey Chad,

Don't beat yourself up too bad. I normally catfish, and I have had no luck this year at all.

I have never heard very good things about the fishing at Shelbyville. It's a beautifull lake, but I have never fished there.

There are 5 lakes about an hour south/southwest of you that you may want to try. 4 of them are right in a row. (Lou Yeager, Glenn Shoals, Coffeen, and Gov. Bond) You may want to try Coffeen Lake (just outside of Hillsboro) but it has a HP restriction. It is a powerplant lake so the water is a little warmer. The 5th lake is just north of Carlinville and is probably my favorite. It is called Otter Lake. It has a 115hp restriction and they charge a $12 day use fee.

However, Carlyle lake is where I normally go. A lot of folks are catching Strippers right now. It is a big lake with no HP restrictions. Just watch the weather as that lake gets rough pretty quick when the wind picks-up.

I love to fish, but do not consider my self a great fisherman. If you have any questions about those areas, let me know and I will try to help.

 

[njrextreme]

Re: Central Illinois Fishing - Help!!!!!!

What time of day do you go? Cat fish bite well at night. Chicken livers and stick bait will do the trick. I have had alot of luck over the years w/ just a good worm or nite crawlers. They are free and work well. Ill ask a guy at work what he uses for the white bass. Last time I was at Lake Clinton they were allmost jumping in the boat.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Central Illinois Fishing - Help!!!!!!

I hope he figured out ways to catch some fish by now.