Fishing Spring Arbor Lake in Jackson County, Illinois

• Overview

  Set in Jackson County, Spring Arbor Lake is an Illinois water. The water sits 545 feet up. With some 66 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. A shoreline of some 2.0 miles keeps the choices simple. Start from Carbondale, 6.2 miles down the road. Beyond it, Crainville at 9.1 miles and Cobden at 9.2 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Spring Arbor Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Survey and observation records for Jackson County include bluegill, orangethroat darter, green sunfish and largemouth bass. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. At Spring Arbor Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 31°F and July at about 78°F, the water has a wide range to work through. In milder years the surface never sets. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. On Spring Arbor Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Public data records a pier about 0.9 miles out. A camping area sits within half a mile of here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. If the gate is shut, Little Grassy Lake at 1.9 miles is the nearest alternative. The position on Spring Arbor Lake is worth confirming on the day.