Dunlap Lake near Edwardsville: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Dunlap Lake lies in Madison County, Illinois. It sits in rolling hill. With some 106 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The margin runs to about 3.5 miles in total. On our Madison County list it sits near the top for size. You are 1.3 miles from Edwardsville. Then Glen Carbon, 4.7 miles, and Maryville, 5.6 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Dunlap Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Across Madison County, recorded fish include common carp, bluegill, green sunfish and channel catfish. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Dunlap Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 78°F, while January sits near 28°F. The calendar is generous: something works in nearly every month. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. That shapes the year on Dunlap Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. There are toilets half a mile off. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. If the gate is shut, Leclaire Lake at 0.9 miles is the nearest alternative. None of that is settled for Dunlap Lake in what we hold.