Fishing at Vernor Lake, Richland County, Illinois

• Overview

  Vernor Lake lies in Richland County, Illinois. The surface lies 446 feet up. Roughly 33 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. There is roughly 1.2 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. The nearest town is Olney, 2.5 miles away. Evansville is the closest city, 62 miles away. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Vernor Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Open biodiversity records for Richland County list green sunfish, bluegill, longear sunfish, redfin pickerel and blackside darter. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Vernor Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 77°F, while January sits near 28°F. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. The season on Vernor Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. A pier or jetty stands half a mile away, which helps on a crowded bank. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Webber Lake sits 1.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Signs at Vernor Lake carry more weight than any list.