Fishing at Lake Piasa, Jersey County, Illinois

• Overview

  Illinois holds Lake Piasa, in Jersey County. Country round the bank runs to rolling hill. About 14 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Few waters listed in Jersey County are bigger. Brighton sits 3.1 miles from here and is the nearest stop. St. Louis is the closest city, 27 miles away. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Lake Piasa

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Survey and observation records for Jersey County include orangethroat darter, bluegill and green sunfish. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Work Lake Piasa in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 27°F in January to roughly 77°F in July. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. The season on Lake Piasa follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Craig Lake sits 1 mile off and takes the overflow. Confirm before you fish Lake Piasa.