Southern Illinois Bass Fishing Tips

Spring

Bass fishing is ideal from spring until November at Cedar Lake, one mile east of Pomano. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastic worms are the best to use this time of the year. Bass use this time of year to spawn and move to warmer, shallow water to feed and mate. Try shallow-water flipping in dark, murky waters or on cloudy days.

Summer

Kinkaid Lake, five miles northwest of Murphysboro, also has great bass fishing from March-November, with night fishing available during the summer. Crankbaits, jigs and plastic worms work best and lures that mimic crawfish are best for smallmouth. Bass collect in the shallow water during the morning and move deeper as the sun rises and the weather turns warmer throughout the day. Largemouth bass may need to go as deep as 60 feet, depending on the depth of the lake.

Fall

Largemouth and smallmouth bass will hide in shallow to moderately deep water during mornings and evenings and during the day move into deep water. Spoons and jigs are the best bait to use in deep water. Bass fishing is in a peak year-round at Lake of Egypt, just three miles northeast of Goreville. Night fishing is also available from June through September.

Winter

During colder weather, bass are less active and moving your lure in a slow motion will draw the attention of the fish. Jigs, pork baits and plastic worms are the best for large and smallmouth bass. Again, fish will collect in shallow water during mornings and go deeper into the lake as the day continues.