How far south do I have to drive to find open water worth fishing?

[Lunkerhunter3]

I want to get the boat wet and feed the need to fish. It would be only for a few days. I live in Wisconsin but just over the border. Where do I have to go to hit open water and have a chance at catching some bass? East Fork, Jacksonville, Lake of Egypt are a few that come to mind but I haven't been to any of them before. Any and all suggestions will be considered. Thanks

[copperhead]

Sangchris, Coffeen, and Newton are power plant lakes that would likely give up some fish.

[local16]

Sangchris, Coffeen, and Newton are power plant lakes that would likely give up some fish.

Beware of 25 H.P. motor requirement on those lakes.

[Lunkerhunter3]

That's a problem. I have a 200 H.P. Can I use the motor and idle to spots or do I have to use a trolling motor only?

[stratosjoe]

no big motor period. they will smoke you at ramp when you get ready to leave. binocs and other fisherman, not worth the risk.

[Lunkerhunter3]

I'm really looking for somewhere I can run the big motor if possible.

[Gale1980]

Powerton opens the 15th to boats

[fluke1987]

Clinton may be a possibility...just won't have access to the hot water discharge.

[jasonG]

Welcome to unnecessary restrictions

[ILbassin]

Yea I'm in the middle of hp restriction area. Love the lakes but being stuck with a 25 hp on the back of a 17' rig really sucks.

For big motor lakes, Clinton or Shelbyville would be closest but I'm not sure how the bass bite is there currently.

Here's a couple links to help you decide as well:

http://www.ifishillinois.org/profiles/selector.php

http://larrysfishinghole.com/spots.html

[Steele]

Clinton is open, water Temps around 50 degrees in the warmest part. Caught five fish on Sunday.

[csurp]

Lake of Egypt has no HP restrictions. Fun winter fishing. You can catch them on topwater and 25 feet deep in the same spot.

[Skunked again]

For coffeen, any size engine can be used to load/unload. After that, trolling motor only.
Is kinkaid lake any good right now?

[Skunked again]

https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/A...ffeenLake.aspx

[Lunkerhunter3]

It seems like I should go to either Clinton or lake of Egypt. Any recommendations for places to stay and launch ramps to use? Also tips on how and where to catch them?

[csurp]

.... Also tips on how and where to catch them?

Winter fishing at LOE can be a great time to learn your electronics because of the deep fishing that sets up. Look along the creek channel flats in the lower and middle portions of the lake. Here are a couple of Lowrance screen shots of what these fish look like. These shots are several years old, I hope you encounter the same thing. (HDS 5 and HDS 8 Gen2's)

[illinifish]

The main ramp is a huge release area. Also graph for some brush piles. It is illeagle to fish the docks on this lake.
Weekends are very crowded this time of year with tournaments.

[Skeeter185]

I would suggest Lake of Egypt also. Here is a very nice reasonably priced hotel about a mile from Pyramid acres ramp on Egypt. http://www.laketreeinnandsuites.com/

[Lunkerhunter3]

It's looking like I'm Heading to Clinton next weekend. I really want to go to LOE but don't have the time I need to spend more time fishing than driving. Any tips for clinton? Places to stay? Thanks

[STRETCH1]

That's a problem. I have a 200 H.P. Can I use the motor and idle to spots or do I have to use a trolling motor only?

Springfield