Deer Run Lake, Illinois: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Deer Run Lake is a Macoupin County water, Illinois side. Country round the bank runs to rolling hill. Gillespie at 5 miles is the nearest place to stop. The nearest city of size is Springfield, 42 miles away. Nearby, in order: Gillespie Country Club Lake 0.6 miles away, Recirculation Pond just 2.6 miles, Smith Reservoir 3 miles away, Lake Williamson just 3.2 miles and Lake Carlinville 3.3 miles away. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Deer Run Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Fish documented in Macoupin County include green sunfish, bluegill, white sucker and yellow bullhead. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Treat Deer Run Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 76°F and January reads 26°F. Spring and autumn are the strongest, but nothing is truly closed. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. It holds true on Deer Run Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. For a change of water, Gillespie Country Club Lake is 0.6 miles distant. Check the position at Deer Run Lake before loading the car.