Deep Lake

The past 2 times I fished Deep Lake was outstanding. Friend and I plus our 2 sons caught several bluegill, 3 small bass and 1 crappie. Would of stayed longer but ran out of bait. That was on Friday July 23rd. On Monday I went to the same spot and had better luck. Caught about 6 bluegill/sunfish, 1 small bass, many crappies and 1 northern. This is the best luck of all the areas I fished in Illinois.

My favorite time on Deep Lake is drift fishing through the middle of the lake in Summer catching bluegill, a few crappie, and occasional bass. I remember catching a bass on a silver rattletrap lure in about 12 feet of water. Retrieving the lure, then when the lure was about 15 feet from the boat, something silver came lunging from the deep, a nice bass. Caught and released. I have seen two men in their late sixties dragging about 10 good sized bass in the parking lot (2004). (Shame on them.) I saw two teenagers hold up a large 3 foot dogfish to ask me what the fish was. Each summer I see the early morning fisherman come in at noon with panfish for several dinners. The water is clear and I think the fish are a bit wise. So if you come to fish, fish small, fish deeper than usual, and fish deep. Deep Lake has no public access for boats but for a reasonable fee you can rent a rowboat, put your motor on it, and off you go. You'll find a resort/bar/restaurant on the East side of the lake at 3rd Avenue. If the fishing might let you down a little, the friendliness of the resort owners, their great hamburgers and duck at the restaurant, will make it a fine day.

I Live right on DeepLake. I love that lake. It is so clean. You can see straight through it. This Lake is the most relaxing lake I have seen. I also know the fishing is great.