South

Crab Orchard Lake: Anglers are reporting that crappies are being
found at depths ranging from about 6 to 10 feet. Most are in heavy
cover near points. The best baits have been minnows and jigs.
Bright colors seem to be working the best. Bluegills are being
caught near rip-rap and around weed beds on the typical bluegill
baits. Bass fishing has been slow .

Rick’s Bait & Tackle: Cambria

(618) 987-2534

Baldwin Lake: Largemouth bass have slowed. Bluegills are biting
on worms in 6 to 8 feet of water. Crappie and catfish fishing has
been fair.

Obie’s Tackle: Belleville

(618) 234-5638

Carlyle Lake: White bass are said to be hungry for jigs.
Bluegill fishing is fair on worms. Sauger fishing has been fair.
Crappie fishing is so-so, and most success is with minnows.

Lavish’s Bait Shop: Carlyle

(618) 594-4413

Kinkaid Lake: Overall, fishing has been slow. Bluegills had been
biting on worms, but the bite has tapered off. Crappies are slow,
but some are being taken on minnows in 12 to 15 feet of water.
Muskies are being caught, though action is slow.

Top Of The Hill Bait Shop: Murphysboro

(618) 684-2923

Horseshoe Lake: Crappies have started biting better. Brush piles
in deep water have provided the best action. Minnows and jigs are
equally effective. Bass have been slow, as have bluegills.

Timberline Tackle: Marion

(618) 997-9311

Lake of Egypt: Crappie action is slow but getting better.
Bluegills have been slow.

Shawnee Bait & Tackle: Creal Springs

(618) 996-3089

Little Grassy: Crappies have been biting on minnows, mostly in
cover in about 15 to 20 feet of water. Bass action has improved but
remains slow. Plastic worms have worked best. Bluegills are running
small and biting on late-season grasshoppers and worms.

Rick’s Bait & Tackle: Cambria,

(618) 987-2534

Mermet Lake: Fishing has been slow on all fronts, though crappie
action has improved in recent weeks. Crappies are being caught on
jigs. Bass fishing has been slow.

Shawnee Bait & Tackle: Creal Springs

(618) 996-3089

Rend Lake: The lake has been low. The best fishing is reported
to be near the main dam breakwater, areas near North and South
Marcum, Jackie Branch, and Gun Creek. Crappies are biting fair on
jigs fished along the Route 154 rip-rap and over crappie sets in
Gun Creek and near bridge pillars. Bass fishing has been slow. The
bluegill bite has been slow.

Rend Lake Sporting Goods: Mount Vernon

(618) 242-2191