Largemouth Bass

Central Illinois offers some fantastic largemouth bass fishing, and Springfield is a great base for exploring it. Lakes like Lake Springfield are known for their healthy bass populations. The key here is to follow the forage. In the spring, target shallow, weedy areas where bass are spawning. As the water warms, they'll move deeper, relating to structure like submerged timber and drop-offs. Crankbaits and jigs are effective around this structure. A local tip: Lake Springfield can get stained after heavy rains, so darker colored lures often produce better in those conditions. During the fall, bass will aggressively feed up in preparation for winter, making this a prime time to target them with topwater lures and swimbaits. Public access is readily available around Lake Springfield, with multiple boat ramps and shoreline fishing spots.