| Illinois is definitely not known for its | | | | lake to fish, but there are plenty of walleye |
| excellent walleye fishing. Most anglers that | | | | in Lake Shabbona. Your best bet is to fish |
| live in Illinois will plan their fishing trip | | | | mid-week during low light conditions. |
| to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Canada or Lake Erie | | | | |
| when they want to fill their coolers with | | | | The Fox Chain of Lakes is a popular boating |
| walleye. There are some places that you can | | | | and fishing destination. The walleye fishing |
| consistently catch walleye and sauger and if | | | | can very good here in the spring and fall. |
| you are within a short drive to these waters, | | | | Summers can be tough because the pleasure |
| you can catch some nice fish for the dinner | | | | boaters are all over the lake and they seem |
| table. | | | | to get up earlier and earlier every summer. |
| | | | It is not uncommon to see someone on a jet |
| When most people think of walleye, they | | | | ski at 8 in the morning during the summer. |
| typically think of fishing lakes and rivers | | | | There are plenty of lakes to fish in this |
| farther to the north, but in Illinois, it | | | | chain and many of them produce healthy |
| seems like some of the best walleye waters | | | | populations of keeper-size walleye. |
| are to the south. Some of the lakes in the | | | | |
| southern part of the state that have plenty | | | | Another lake up north worth mentioning is |
| of walleye in them are Lake Carlton, Clinton | | | | Pierce Lake, which is located in the Rockford |
| Lake, Kinkaid Lake and Evergreen Lake. Head | | | | area. This lake is stocked regularly making |
| out to the western Illinois area and you will | | | | it a good lake to catch some walleye. |
| find Pittsfield City Lake, which is probably | | | | |
| the best walleye lake in the state for big | | | | As far as the rivers go, experienced anglers |
| fish. | | | | can catch walleye consistently in the Fox |
| | | | river and Kankakee river, but they don't even |
| Once you head up north, there are a few lakes | | | | compare to the walleye and sauger fishing in |
| to focus on to go along with a few rivers. | | | | the Illinois river. Fishing tournaments get |
| Lake Shabbona is located a couple of hours | | | | going in the early spring and many tournament |
| west of Chicago and it is mostly known for | | | | boats catch their limit on the Illinois |
| its state record muskies. People would talk | | | | river. There are lots of fish in the 3 to 5 |
| more about the walleye fishing if you were | | | | pound range on the Illinois river and if you |
| allowed to fish after dark on this lake. | | | | want to get in on the action, head out the |
| There are plenty of walleye in the lake with | | | | Starved Rock State Park. |
| many trophy-sized fish, but the extremely | | | | |
| heavy fishing pressure here makes it | | | | For more information on the lakes listed |
| difficult to land more than a couple of fish | | | | above to go along with some of the other |
| per outing and some anglers that fish out | | | | places to fish in Illinois, take a look at |
| here never catch a walleye. It's a tough | | | | our Illinois fishing page. |