Ashley Lake, Illinois: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Ashley Lake in Lake County, Illinois. Everything around it is rolling bush. Surface area runs to about 23 acres — small enough to read in one session. On size it sits at the modest end of our Lake County list. For a base, Deer Park sits 0.5 miles out. The big place round here is Elgin, 14 miles distant. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Ashley Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. County-wide records name bluegill, common carp, green sunfish, pumpkinseed and largemouth bass. The county list is broader than any single water. Take Ashley Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 20°F in January to roughly 72°F in July. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late March. The open-water window runs from around late March to about mid December in an average year. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. It sets the rhythm of the year at Ashley Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Failing this one, try Lake Louise, 1.4 miles away. Check the position on Ashley Lake before loading the car.