City Reservoir Fishing Guide, White County, Illinois

• Overview

  City Reservoir is set in White County, Illinois. It sits at 427 feet above sea level. Roughly 25 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. There is roughly 0.9 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. It lies lower than most water we list in Illinois. The nearest town is Norris City, 0.9 miles away. After that come Carmi at 11 miles and Eldorado at 13 miles. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on City Reservoir

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Fish documented in White County include green sunfish, bluegill and largemouth bass. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Treat City Reservoir as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 30°F in January to roughly 78°F in July. Conditions shift steadily rather than sharply. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. City Reservoir runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. A slipway is marked about 130 yards from here. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Sandy Run Lake sits 4.2 miles off and takes the overflow. None of that is settled for City Reservoir in what we hold.