Woodyard Slough Fishing in Mason County, Illinois

• Overview

  Woodyard Slough is listed under Mason County, Illinois. This is mixed forest ground. It measures about 29 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Manito is the closest place, 8.7 miles off. Canton lies 9.9 miles off, Havana another 11 miles. Also on the doorstep: Clear Lake lies 1 mile on, 1.1 miles away is The Narrows, Lost Lake lies 2.2 miles on, 2.2 miles away is Duck Creek Cooling Pond and West River lies 2.3 miles on. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Woodyard Slough

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Reported across Mason County: common carp, goldfish, white perch, channel catfish and bluegill. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Read Woodyard Slough for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 76°F and January about 24°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid March. Climate averages put the opening at about mid March and the closing near late December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. It sets the rhythm of the year at Woodyard Slough.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. If the gate is shut, Clear Lake at 1 mile is the nearest alternative. Ask locally about Woodyard Slough if anything is unclear.