Cips Lake, Illinois: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Illinois, Cips Lake falls inside Effingham County. The country here is open valley. The water measures roughly 17 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. For a base, Effingham sits 2.2 miles out. Teutopolis is 6.1 miles away, with Altamont at 9.6 miles. Water in the same corner: Lake Pauline just 2.5 miles, Lake Sara (3.4 miles), Woodbury Lake just 16 miles, Bails Timberline Lake (16 miles) and Lake Matton just 16 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Cips Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Effingham County records list bluegill, longear sunfish and green sunfish among the fish reported. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. The near bank of Cips Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 27°F and July at about 77°F, the water has a wide range to work through. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Cips Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Parking is not close: half a mile from the bank, and no nearer option is mapped. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Lake Pauline sits 2.5 miles off and takes the overflow. For Cips Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.