
Lake Sara, Effingham County
Tucked inside a wooded area with plenty of trees on its shoreline, Sara boasts enough largemouth bass, crappies, bluegills, channel catfish and walleyes to keep fishermen satisfied.

Tucked inside a wooded area with plenty of trees on its shoreline, Sara boasts enough largemouth bass, crappies, bluegills, channel catfish and walleyes to keep fishermen satisfied.


These are well-known largemouth bass-fishing lakes – not just locally, but among national bass crowds as well – and Lake Darling has always been part of that coveted bass-fishing mix.

The bass fishing season is winding down. On the bright side, if you head out to fish bass – or any species, for the most part – you should have plenty of room to work

Still, catfish seem to be the species drawing anglers to Carlyle Lake, the largest man-made lake in the state.

Using these tools, modern anglers can focus on presentations for walleyes, muskies, bass, and panfish.

It has a nice largemouth bass population because it’s a backwater of the Des Plaines River.

Panfish, walleyes, and catfish are the main draws on Belleville Lake, although it also provides good bass fishing opportunities.

A late summer and turnover means a terrific fall bite for two of the region’s favorite gamefish: bass and slab crappies.
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