Lake George in Rock Island County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lake George sits in Rock Island County, out in Illinois. It sits at 659 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 150 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. It is the biggest water on our Rock Island County list. 5.7 miles away sits Andalusia, the nearest town. It is 14 miles to Davenport, the nearest city. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Lake George

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Rock Island County records list channel catfish, goldfish and common carp among the fish reported. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Lake George a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 21°F in January up to 75°F in July. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Ice-out usually falls in mid March, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Averages suggest open water from about mid March through to roughly mid December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. It holds true on Lake George more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. A campsite lies half a mile away for anyone staying over. Part of this sits inside or beside Loud Thunder Forest Preserve, so read the notices. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Arab Chute at 1.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Lake George locally before you travel.