Fishing Lake Jaycee in Jefferson County, Illinois

• Overview

  The Jefferson County end of Illinois holds Lake Jaycee. Around the bank it is farm and woodlot. At about 98 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Among the waters listed for Jefferson County, none is wider. 4 miles away sits Mount Vernon, the nearest town. Ina lies 15 miles off, Wamac another 16 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Lake Jaycee

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Jefferson County records list green sunfish, bluegill and white sucker among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Lake Jaycee the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 77°F in July and bottom out at 29°F in January. Temperature moves within a narrow band, and so does the fishing. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Expect Lake Jaycee to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. For a change of water, Miller Lake is 1.7 miles distant. For Lake Jaycee in particular, ask before you travel.