Illinois Central Reservoir Fishing near Wayne City, Illinois

• Overview

  Illinois holds Illinois Central Reservoir, in Jefferson County. It sits at 486 feet above sea level. With some 86 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. On our Jefferson County list it sits near the top for size. For supplies, Wayne City is 8.5 miles out. Mount Vernon follows at 9 miles, then Ina at 14 miles. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Illinois Central Reservoir

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Records held for Jefferson County cover green sunfish, bluegill, white sucker, largemouth bass and longear sunfish. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Work Illinois Central Reservoir in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 29°F in January and 78°F in July. Spring and autumn are the strongest, but nothing is truly closed. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. It sets the rhythm of the year at Illinois Central Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. You will be walking about 0.9 miles from the nearest car park. A pier half a mile from here gives a platform over deeper water. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. The nearest alternative is Lake Jaycee, 9.6 miles out. Where Illinois Central Reservoir is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.