Largemouth Bass

Willowbrook, Illinois, offers some decent largemouth bass fishing within easy reach of the Chicago suburbs. Local forest preserve lakes and ponds are your best bet. Busse Woods, with its various connected lakes, is a popular option, but don't overlook smaller, lesser-known spots. Spring and fall are peak seasons. During the spring pre-spawn and spawn, target shallow areas with vegetation or near spawning beds. In the fall, bass will be actively feeding to fatten up for winter, so focus on areas where baitfish are concentrated. A Texas-rigged worm or a crankbait are good search baits. A local's trick: Pay attention to water clarity. If the water is clear, use more natural-looking lures and lighter line. If it's murky, brighter colors and lures with rattles can be more effective. Bass in these urban ponds can be pressured, so try experimenting with different presentations.