Lake Petersburg near Petersburg: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  In Illinois, Lake Petersburg falls inside Menard County. The water sits 584 feet up. With some 177 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The shoreline runs about 4.2 miles, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. Petersburg is the closest place, 1.9 miles off. After that come Athens at 7.3 miles and Ashland at 10 miles. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Lake Petersburg

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Across Menard County, recorded fish include green sunfish, gizzard shad, largemouth bass, white crappie and white sucker. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Lake Petersburg gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 76°F, the coldest about 24°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid March. Break-up near mid March, freeze-up near late December: that is the shape of an average year. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Lake Petersburg runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. Overnight stays are possible about half a mile out, where camping is mapped. There are toilets half a mile off. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Country Lake at 6.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Rules at Lake Petersburg are worth checking on the day.