Cheek Slough Fishing in Carroll County, Illinois

• Overview

  Illinois holds Cheek Slough, in Carroll County. The bank gives way to rolling bush. The water covers some 34 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Savanna at 7.8 miles is the nearest place to stop. Bellevue follows at 11 miles, then Preston at 13 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Cheek Slough

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Carroll County include common carp, bluegill, orangespotted sunfish and johnny darter. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Cheek Slough gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 73°F in July and bottoms out near 18°F in January. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late March. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late March and starts locking again about mid December. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. The season on Cheek Slough follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Lundy Lake, 1.2 miles out. What applies at Cheek Slough may have changed since it was mapped.