Fishing near Freeport, Illinois

Freeport stands in Stephenson County, out in Illinois. There are about 24,476 people here. Running from near to far: Coffman Lake at about 9.7 miles, Lake Le-Aqua-Na at about 14 miles to the north-west, Lake Summerset at about 16 miles, Beckman Lake at about 21 miles to the north then Horseshoe Lake at about 23 miles. Horseshoe Lake is small enough to walk round and read in a single session. Flat water is the rule round here. Structure beats open water on every one of them. It caps in a hard winter only. Even in a cold year it comes and goes. The first on the list, Coffman Lake, measures about 1 acres. The thaw usually comes near late March. Stephenson County records cover green sunfish and creek chub. Within a short drive the count rises quickly. Ring ahead where the bank is held privately. Start with Coffman Lake and work down the list as the season goes on....