Illinois lakes

[Lundluvr]

Have any of you had any experience fishing walleyes at Lake Vermillion near Danville. I was reading through some old in-siders and came across one where it was mentioned. I live fairly close to it and was wondering if there is still any kind of walleye fishery there. Thank you for any information you may have. ( I would also like to know more about Shelbyville.) Thanks again

[Scott Richardson]

Contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the "Status of Walleye Fishing" annual report. I just got one, but it's at my office so I can't tell you about Lake Vermilion specifically. If you want, call me at 800-747-7323 x 227 during the work week and I will look it up.

Lake Shelbyville is improving as a walleye destination. When it first opened, it was terrific, like most reservoirs. Then, the walleye virtually disappeared. A study concluded DNR had been stocking walleyes too early in the year before water temps rose high enough to support plankton for the young gamefish. The walleye fry basically were starving. With the help of a local fishing club organized for the purpose, the DNR established rearing ponds and began to raise the walleye to 8 inches before releasing them. That was about 5 years ago. The result? Walleyes are back.

Like most reservoirs, fish the points to start. Points 3, 4, 5 and 6 hold fish at times. There is a hump above Point 6, too. Traffic is busy there for trolling open water with boards. Shad is main forage.

Best Illinois destination right now is Lake Evergreen near Bloomington. Saugeyes are incredible. Electro shocking produced 60 per hour in fall when 15 would be considered good there. Saw a video of electro shocking at a fishing club meeting last night. Saw two fish confirmed to be over the state record mark of about 81/2 pounds. 10 horsepower limit.

Don't miss the Illinois River sauger runs in spring and fall either.

[BarryM]

Scott, I'm with you, Shelbyville is coming back. We also starting picking them at Clinton Lake the last two years. Just not sure if we're better on the lake or if the fishing has really improve?

[Scott Richardson]

On Clinton, probably a little of both - people learning the lake and more walleyes to catch. Clinton is a fixed dam. Walleyes and stripers get washed over in great numbers when it floods. That happened a few years ago when the lake was full of eyes. Now, the numbers are steadily climbing again. I think DNR rates prospects there as fair. Need my notes to know for sure. They are at the office, too. There are big walleyes to be caught there, for sure.

Glad to see a message thread on one of North America's underrated walleye destinations - the state of Illinois.

Scott

[Lundlvr]

Thanks for the information guys. Good luck to you this year

[Jerry]

I have fished evergreen hard for the past few years and have caught a few but it has been tough most of the time.

[Scott Richardson]

We've caught them at Evergreen trolling crankbaits and spinner rigs or drifting with jigs and NO_SNAGG rigs. The biggest last year came from people who were casting crankbaits in shallow water on points with wood.