Largemouth Bass

For Largemouth Bass fishing near Dover, Illinois, you'll want to focus on the small lakes and ponds scattered throughout Bureau County. While there isn't a major body of water nearby, several smaller locations can provide excellent bass fishing. Spring and early summer, during the spawn and post-spawn periods, are the most productive times. Look for bass around weed beds, docks, and other shoreline structure. A great local tip is to check out some of the smaller, less-publicized ponds; these often hold some surprisingly large bass that haven't been pressured as much. These ponds are often on private land, so always seek permission before fishing. The bass in these smaller waters can be susceptible to changes in weather, so pay attention to barometric pressure and water temperature. Also, because the water tends to be clear, using natural-looking lures and fluorocarbon line can increase your chances of success.