Vienna Reservoir near Vienna: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Vienna Reservoir is a Johnson County water, in Illinois. The surroundings are rolling hill. The water measures roughly 7 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Most waters listed here for Johnson County are larger. Nearest town is Vienna, 0.4 miles off. It is 83 miles to Evansville, the nearest city. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Vienna Reservoir

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Records held for Johnson County cover bluegill, stripetail darter, longear sunfish and yellow bullhead. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Take Vienna Reservoir a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 78°F at the top of summer and 31°F at the bottom of winter. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Time your trip to Vienna Reservoir by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. You can leave the car about half a mile from the water. There are toilets half a mile off. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Tall Tree Lake, 4.8 miles away. Treat Vienna Reservoir as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.