Largemouth Bass

Barrington, Illinois, offers some surprisingly good largemouth bass fishing, though you'll primarily be targeting smaller lakes, ponds, and the sloughs connected to the Fox River. While you won't find trophy-class bass consistently, the area provides ample opportunities for catching numbers of fish, especially during the spring and fall. Look for bass in shallow weedy areas during the spawn in late spring, and then target deeper structure and weed edges as the water warms up in the summer. The Fox River can be productive, especially around current breaks and submerged timber. Plastic worms, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits are all effective. Access to some of the smaller lakes may be limited to residents, so do your research beforehand. A good starting point is the Penny Road Pond, which offers public access and a decent population of bass. Remember that many of these areas are heavily fished, so consider using lighter line and more natural presentations.