Kellart Lake Fishing in Iroquois County, Illinois

• Overview

  Look for Kellart Lake in the Iroquois County part of Illinois. The ground round it is mixed forest. Roughly 40 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. A shoreline of some 1.0 miles keeps the choices simple. The closest town, Onarga, is 9.9 miles distant. Further out sit Milford (10 miles) and Gilman (13 miles). The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Kellart Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Iroquois County records list channel catfish, green sunfish, johnny darter, white catfish and yellow bullhead among the fish reported. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Kellart Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 23°F to 74°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid March. Climate figures give an open season running mid March to late December. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. On Kellart Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Should this one be busy, Iroquois Lake is 12 miles off. Check the current arrangement for Kellart Lake.