Fishing Clinton Lake

AKA: Lake Clinton

Popular Fish Species
Clinton Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Clinton Lake, IL

Popular Fish Species Clinton Lake, IL

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Clinton Lake offers good fishing for quality largemouth bass. Many big bass roam the waters of Clinton Lake, thanks to excellent fisheries management by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, as well as the availability of extensive cover for both baitfish and bass. Whenever the bite is good, bass tend to move shallower and are quite aggressive. If you find them shallow and they are not tempted to bite, slow down and use smaller, lighter baits. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer, and during warm Fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing Clinton Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.

Blue Catfish Fishing

This year blue catfish are running in the big to monster size in Clinton Lake. Most of the local guides offer catfish trips, and big blues are the favorite target. The state record is over 120 pounds. Fishing for blue catfish is most often productive summer around any kind of structure. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with cut bait or other popular catfish baits. Other catfish in the lake include channel and flathead catfish.

Crappie Fishing

Black and white crappie both reside in Clinton Lake, with black crappie typically out-weighing white crappie. They do school together so when you find them you may catch both species. Crappie fishing is on the rise and they can be found in sizeable schools. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, 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 in deeper water.

Clinton Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, white bass and hybrid striped bass at Clinton Lake in Illinois.

Providing a nice variety of fish species for anglers, Clinton Lake is an 4,900-acre lake in the east-central part of Illinois, a few miles east of Clinton. Bass and crappie top the list of angler interest here, but the lake also supports respectable populations of white bass, hybrid stripers and walleye.

There are over 125 miles of shoreline, much of which is not accessible for fishing from the bank. Canoes and kayaks provide access to fishing areas, and the boat launch ramps facilitate launching of all types of boats for fishing. The marina on the water serves the boating and fishing visitors.

Fishing Report

Primary fish species residing in Clinton Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Clinton Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

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