Thunderbird Lake in Macoupin County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Illinois holds Thunderbird Lake, in Macoupin County. What surrounds it is rolling hill. Surface area runs to about 6 acres — small enough to read in one session. Most waters listed here for Macoupin County are larger. Brighton sits 1.4 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Godfrey is 5.8 miles away, with Upper Alton at 8.8 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Thunderbird Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Records held for Macoupin County cover green sunfish, bluegill, white sucker and yellow bullhead. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Fish Thunderbird Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 77°F on average, January about 27°F. In milder years the surface never sets. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Plan around that when you fish Thunderbird Lake. Long dry spells drop the level and concentrate them.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Should this one be busy, Craig Lake is 1.6 miles off. Ask locally about Thunderbird Lake if anything is unclear.