Sandy Run Lake Fishing near Norris City, Illinois

• Overview

  You will find Sandy Run Lake in White County, Illinois. The bank is 413 feet above sea level. The water covers some 31 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. There is roughly 1.2 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Among the waters listed for White County, none is wider. Norris City is the closest place, 3.9 miles off. After that come Eldorado at 9.2 miles and McLeansboro at 15 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Sandy Run Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. White County records list green sunfish, bluegill, largemouth bass and longear sunfish among the fish reported. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. At Sandy Run Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 78°F in July and bottoms out near 30°F in January. Fishing continues through most of the calendar, with quiet spells rather than closures. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Sandy Run Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. There is a pier recorded roughly half a mile away. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Omaha City Reservoir, 3.4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. What applies at Sandy Run Lake may have changed since it was mapped.