Largemouth Bass

De Pue, Illinois, offers some under-the-radar largemouth bass fishing, primarily in and around De Pue Lake. This small, shallow lake can be a hidden gem, especially during the spring and fall. The lake's weed beds and submerged structure provide excellent habitat for largemouth. Fish the edges of the weed lines with spinnerbaits or soft plastics for active fish. During the spawn in spring, target shallow bays and coves. Summer can be tougher as the weeds thicken, but topwater frogs and buzzbaits can produce explosive strikes. A local tip: Pay attention to water clarity. After heavy rains, the lake can get muddy, so wait for it to clear before heading out. Access is easiest from the public boat launch on the south side of the lake. The bass in De Pue Lake tend to be on the smaller side, but the lake offers a good chance at catching numbers of fish in a quiet, scenic setting.