Loon Lake Fishing Guide, Massac County, Illinois

• Overview

  Illinois holds Loon Lake, in Massac County. The surface lies 328 feet up. With some 50 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Ground here is low by Illinois standards. The closest town, Paducah, is 1.7 miles away. Farley is 4 miles away, with Hendron at 5.2 miles. In the same area: Brushy Lake 0.2 miles off, Allard Lake 0.5 miles, Kinneman Lake 2.9 miles off, Beaverdam Lake 5.4 miles and Avery Lake 5.5 miles off. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Loon Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Massac County records list longear sunfish, gizzard shad and green sunfish among the fish reported. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Treat Loon Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 79°F and January about 34°F. Conditions shift steadily rather than sharply. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. It sets the rhythm of the year at Loon Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Brushy Lake, 0.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position at Loon Lake before loading the car.