Lake Carlinville Fishing Guide, Macoupin County, Illinois

• Overview

  This water sits in Macoupin County, Illinois. It sits in mixed woodland country. At about 156 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. At about 3.4 miles of edge, most people work one arm at a time. On our Macoupin County list it sits near the top for size. Carlinville is the closest place, 3 miles off. For a city, Springfield is 40 miles off. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Lake Carlinville

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Across Macoupin County, recorded fish include green sunfish, bluegill, white sucker and yellow bullhead. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. The near bank of Lake Carlinville is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 77°F and January near 26°F. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Lake Carlinville fishes to that pattern most years. Late evening often out-fishes the whole afternoon.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. A slipway half a mile out gives trailer access. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. The nearest alternative is Lake Williamson, 1.1 miles out. Check the position at Lake Carlinville before loading the car.