Fishing at Carthage Lake, Henderson County, Illinois

• Overview

  Set in Henderson County, Carthage Lake is an Illinois water. It lies 518 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 71 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. You are 2.2 miles from Burlington. After that come West Burlington at 4.8 miles and Oquawka at 11 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Carthage Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Henderson County records list bluegill, common carp, gizzard shad, channel catfish and largemouth bass among the fish reported. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. On Carthage Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 76°F in July and bottom out at 23°F in January. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Break-up comes around mid March, and the run that follows is short and strong. Open water usually runs from mid March until about late December. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Time your trip to Carthage Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. The nearest alternative is Orchard City Lake, 0.4 miles out. Check the position on Carthage Lake before loading the car.