Clinton Lake

[idbefishing]

So what can you guys tell me about this place?

[local16]

Power plant lake, a little over 3,000 acres, has nice smallies and largemouth as well as crappie and hybrid stripers. since 9/11, no boat traffic is allowed past IP point. hot water arm is shut off to fishing from the first bridge on up past rt. 48 untill april 1st. Power plant has been shut down for a while and I'm not sure when it'll be up and running again..Should be before long..Even though it's a power plant lake, it's not a great winter lake for bass..

[idbefishing]

So it is just a temporary shutdown right? Do they gravitate towards the cold side in the warm weather months? Is it a structure type lake or more of pitching to shoreline covers?

[sgt93]

Search for the forums for Clinton. There have been several posts in this forum (Illinois Bass Club) over the lake.

[cougarftd]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by local16 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Power plant lake, a little over 3,000 acres, has nice smallies and largemouth as well as crappie and hybrid stripers. since 9/11, no boat traffic is allowed past IP point. hot water arm is shut off to fishing from the first bridge on up past rt. 48 untill april 1st. Power plant has been shut down for a while and I'm not sure when it'll be up and running again..Should be before long..Even though it's a power plant lake, it's not a great winter lake for bass..</td></tr></table>

Several years back it was shut down for quite awhile and I actually thought it fished better (spring and summer) when it was not operating.

[local16]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by cougarftd &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

Several years back it was shut down for quite awhile and I actually thought it fished better (spring and summer) when it was not operating.</td></tr></table>
If it's a short shut down, thefish seem to miss the current and don't bite but I agree that a long term shut down, such as now, helps the bite

[21TritonX]

I know I am probably going to step in it again but.....Clinton is a good lake but if I was going to drive 150 miles...it wouldn't be to Clinton. I can be on Clinton 30 minutes after I leave my house but I would rater go to Shelbyville, Mill Creek or even Lake Sara.

[idbefishing]

Well, I joined a club and that's where they decided to have the classic. It ain't my choice though. We have a lake nearby that set up a lot like Clinton, without the power plant. It's a feast or famine type of deal too.

[cougarftd]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by 21TritonX &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I know I am probably going to step in it again but.....Clinton is a good lake but if I was going to drive 150 miles...it wouldn't be to Clinton. I can be on Clinton 30 minutes after I leave my house but I would rater go to Shelbyville, Mill Creek or even Lake Sara.</td></tr></table>

Lake Sara ...now your talking

[MI17Explorer]

Only issue I ran into at Sara was the cost. We were passing by, thought we'd fish a couple hours. Was going to cost $25 to put the boat in the water. We passed

[local16]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by MI17Explorer &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Only issue I ran into at Sara was the cost. We were passing by, thought we'd fish a couple hours. Was going to cost $25 to put the boat in the water. We passed </td></tr></table>
Yep that's a killer for sure. Keeps me away as well.