Lake Sara in Effingham County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lake Sara lies within the bounds of Effingham County, Illinois. It stands 574 feet above sea level. About 553 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. Shoreline length is close to 12 miles, and each section fishes a little differently. It is one of the larger waters we list anywhere in Illinois. Effingham lies 5.1 miles from the water. It is 71 miles to Springfield, the nearest city. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Lake Sara

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. County-wide records name bluegill, longear sunfish, green sunfish, largemouth bass and spotted bass. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Fish Lake Sara to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 26°F in January and 77°F in July. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. That is the shape of the year on Lake Sara. The week either side of a change of season often fishes hardest.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. You can launch: the ramp is half a mile away. Mapping shows a campsite some half a mile from the water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Cips Lake at 3.4 miles is the sensible second choice. What applies at Lake Sara may have changed since it was mapped.