Mirror Lake, Illinois: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Mirror Lake is a Kankakee County water, Illinois side. The bank is 630 feet above sea level. You are 0.7 miles from Momence. The big place round here is Joliet, 34 miles distant. More in the same country: Lake Metonga after 5.3 miles, Cote Lake within 9.6 miles, J C Murphey Lake after 15 miles, Lake Bel-Aire within 16 miles and Redwing Lake after 17 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Mirror Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Across Kankakee County, recorded fish include johnny darter, redfin pickerel, rock bass and green sunfish. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Mirror Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 74°F and January near 22°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Count the season from break-up, usually mid March. The open-water window runs from around mid March to about late December in an average year. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Expect Mirror Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Lake Metonga, 5.3 miles away. Confirm access to Mirror Lake locally before you travel.