Lower Flat Lake Fishing Guide, Calhoun County, Illinois

• Overview

  In Illinois, Lower Flat Lake falls inside Calhoun County. It stands 427 feet above sea level. Ground here is low by Illinois standards. The nearest town is Winfield, 9.2 miles away. Saint Paul is 14 miles away, with Saint Peters at 14 miles. Close by you have: Upper Stump Lake after 0.5 miles, Fowler Lake (1.8 miles), Swan Lake after 2.7 miles, Deep Lake (3.8 miles) and Gilbert Lake after 4 miles. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Lower Flat Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Species logged across Calhoun County include common carp, orangespotted sunfish, bluegill, gizzard shad and largemouth bass. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. At Lower Flat Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 77°F, while January sits near 28°F. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. The season on Lower Flat Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Failing this one, try Upper Stump Lake, 0.5 miles away. Rules at Lower Flat Lake are worth checking on the day.