Leclaire Lake Fishing near Edwardsville, Illinois

• Overview

  Leclaire Lake is listed under Madison County, Illinois. The ground around here is mixed woodland. At roughly 3 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Madison County. The closest town, Edwardsville, is 0.9 miles away. Further out sit Glen Carbon (4 miles) and Maryville (5.3 miles). Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Leclaire Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Madison County records list common carp, bluegill, green sunfish, channel catfish and goldfish among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The shape of Leclaire Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 78°F; by January the average is down near 28°F. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Leclaire Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out. Long dry spells drop the level and concentrate them.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. There is recorded parking some 80 yards off. Toilets show in mapping about 40 yards away. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Should this one be busy, Dunlap Lake is 0.9 miles off. Signs at Leclaire Lake carry more weight than any list.