Hentzels Lake Fishing near New Athens, Illinois

• Overview

  Monroe County in Illinois is where Hentzels Lake sits. Elevation runs to 387 feet. The water measures roughly 11 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Most waters listed here for Monroe County are larger. You are 5 miles from New Athens. Beyond it, Red Bud at 5.8 miles and Marissa at 8.5 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Hentzels Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Monroe County include bluegill, green sunfish and gizzard shad. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Fish Hentzels Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 78°F at the top of summer and 30°F at the bottom of winter. Whether it freezes depends on the year. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Plan any trip to Hentzels Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Public data marks it as a cut-off river bend. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Round Pond, 0.5 miles out. Treat access at Hentzels Lake as something to verify.