Fishing at Lake Michale, McDonough County, Illinois

• Overview

  In Illinois, Lake Michale falls inside McDonough County. It sits in rolling bush. Surface area runs to about 4 acres — small enough to read in one session. The closest town, Macomb, is 1.7 miles distant. Peoria is the closest city, 58 miles away. Also within reach: Spring Lake 6.5 miles away, Argyle Lake roughly 7.6 miles, Lake Wildwood Haven 12 miles away, Vermont New Lake roughly 13 miles and Heller Lake 14 miles away. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Lake Michale

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Open biodiversity records for McDonough County list common carp, green sunfish, johnny darter, channel catfish and golden redhorse. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Read Lake Michale before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 23°F in January to roughly 76°F in July. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid March. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid March until roughly late December. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. It holds true on Lake Michale more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Spring Lake, 6.5 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. For Lake Michale, the notice at the access point is the final word.