Fishing Lake Pittsfield in Pike County, Illinois

• Overview

  Pike County in Illinois is where Lake Pittsfield sits. It lies 600 feet above sea level. It measures about 216 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. There is roughly 4.4 miles of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. By surface area it heads our Pike County listings. For supplies, Pittsfield is 3.5 miles out. Springfield is the closest city, 60 miles away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Lake Pittsfield

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Records held for Pike County cover green sunfish, orangethroat darter and fantail darter. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. The shape of Lake Pittsfield rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 76°F; by January the average is down near 25°F. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lake Pittsfield.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. There is a mapped slipway roughly half a mile away. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Pine Lake is 3.4 miles distant. Nothing on Lake Pittsfield should be assumed from this page alone.