Saint Marys Lake near Mundelein: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Saint Marys Lake is a Lake County water, in Illinois. It stands 715 feet above sea level. It measures about 106 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The bank runs about 2.3 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. For a base, Mundelein sits 1.4 miles out. Libertyville follows at 1.9 miles, then Vernon Hills at 4.3 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Saint Marys Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Fish documented in Lake County include bluegill, common carp, green sunfish and pumpkinseed. The county list is broader than any single water. At Saint Marys Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 72°F for July and 21°F for January. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late March. Averages suggest open water from about late March through to roughly mid December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Time your trip to Saint Marys Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. A pier or jetty stands half a mile away, which helps on a crowded bank. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. The nearest alternative is Loch Lomond, 1 mile out. Ask locally about Saint Marys Lake if anything is unclear.