Fishing Anderson Lake

AKA: Anderson Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Anderson Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Anderson Lake, IL

Popular Fish Species Anderson Lake, IL

Crappie Fishing

Crappie anglers can fish for both black crappie and white crappie at Anderson Lake. These two species tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may catch both species, as they often use the same cover. For best results when fishing for crappie, light line and small hooks are key, especially when fishing live or prepared baits. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. This is a good place to catch quantities of nice, fat slabs. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a bunch of hungry of crappie. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Anderson Lake is considered a good bass fishing lake by locals and tournament anglers alike. While fishing success can vary day to day, overall it's a good bass lake. Fishing for bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 4 pounds being caught. In winter, when the ice is safe, bass can also be caught while fishing through the ice. Bass often move shallow and become aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. A history of careful fisheries management by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has helped to maintain a good bass fishery for anglers.

Bluegill Fishing

Fishing for bluegill is a time-honored tradition at Anderson Lake. Young and old, beginners and seasoned anglers alike, all enjoy catching a bunch of fat bluegill. This year, much like recent years, the bluegill population is healthy and always looking for something to eat. Bluegill fishing is as basic as fishing gets. Any pole, reasonably small line and small hooks baited with anything edible, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Bluegill hang around brush, rocks, vegetation or any cover available. When the lake freezes over, try your luck at ice fishing.

Anderson Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, green sunfish and warmouth at Anderson Lake in Illinois.

Occasionally subject to overfilling with flood waters, Anderson Lake is a nice destination, for fishing when water levels cooperate. This 1,130-acre, freshwater lake is located in the west-central part of IL, five miles southwest of Havana.

Fishing from the bank is popular here, and anglers can access most of the 9 miles of shoreline to do so. Bluegill, crappie and bass and catfish provide plenty of action during the season, and ice fishing is popular for crappie and sunfish in winter.

Primary fish species residing in Anderson Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Anderson Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: NO
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Anderson Lake Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off State Road 100, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

South Campground Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off State Road 100, this is a one-lane, gravel ramp with gravel parking.