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For shallow-water fishing, lures that imitate minnows and float when resting and then dive only a foot or two on retrieve work very well.

Spinnerbaits are also a popular choice.

For medium-depth angling (4 to 12 feet), a medium- to deep-diving crankbait can be used.

When bass are shallow, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and stick-baits are the most productive.

As they move deeper, worms and jigs are among the top producers.


When it comes to catching bass, every season has its opportunities and challenges.

Fishing can come alive in the dead of winter on a mild afternoon, but Spring and Fall usually present the best action.

Generally, I try to avoid extremes of heat and cold and times when the water temperature falls rapidly.


The Summer doldrums;

Once summer rolls around and water temperatures at dawn get into the 80s, the fishing grows tougher.

Sometimes it feels like there are no Bass on the river or lake.

I’ve had the best luck using "Top-Water lures" during low light conditions along the outside edge of "Vegetation”.

On a flat or later in the day when the sun is up fishing a "Fluke or Plastic Worm in the Grass near where there is a drop off to deeper water".

Another Summer option is to fish with a heavy weight (1 or 2 oz.) and punch the Weed-Less Jig or Creature Bait through the Milfoil and Hydrilla Weeds.


During Summer, some Bass also move towards deeper water.

If I’m fishing a lake that has little or no "Submerged Vegetation", I move towards "Creek Channels"

and concentrate along curves in them or even try to find fish along Rip-Rap (Rock Structures) Near The Dam.

Or, I fish "Points" that have downed 'Trees extending towards the deeper water'.

Humps in deeper water also will hold fish.

The trouble with Summer is that the fish are spread out.

The Fall Flurry;

In the Fall, when water temperatures cool back through the 70s into the 60s,

the fishing typically picks back up as Bass start feeding to help tide them through the winter.

Bass follow the Baitfish and often can be found in shallow water where the Baitfish tend to congregate. '

Submerged "Grass" still holds bass when it is green but dying Grass decreases oxygen supply.

Bass also can be found on Wood and Concrete Structures like Bridges, and along Rip-Rap near Dams.


Fall is also the season when the water turns over as cold rains or cold days cool the surface waters fast enough that they end up being cooler than the waters found lower in the lake.

That helps bring the oxygen depleted air from the depths to the surface.

Bass are less active when oxygen levels are down.

However, the turnover does not occur everywhere in the lake at the same time.

So if you’re not catching bass in one spot, move to another.

But never leave fish to find new fish.

Overall, fall is a good time to catch bass especially in the afternoon when the sun has warmed the shallows a bit.

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SARA, LAKE;


Species;

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Poor;

The size structure of the Bluegill population remained poor.

Most of the sample was comprised of fish less than 7” in length.

Body condition improved slightly, but remained Poor, and growth rates remained below average.

Anglers can expect to catch an abundance of fish 5” – 7” in length.

CHANNEL CATFISH:

Fair:

The Channel Catfish population was mostly comprised of older and larger fish.

Natural recruitment remains low, keeping total numbers down.

Growth rates remained average and body condition was just below target.

Anglers can expect to see most fish in the 2 – 4 lbs. range, with some fish over 10 lbs.

LARGEMOUTH BASS;

Improving;

In an attempt to improve the size structure of the population, regulations were changed on April 01, 2017 to a 15” – 18” protected slot limit.

Early results indicate the new regulation appears to be working.

In 2020, the percentage of the adult bass in the sample over 15” improved to 27%.

Bass numbers within the slot improved and those fish were in good condition.


The percentage of fish above the slot increased slightly and they were in very good condition.

Bass numbers below the slot remained high and body condition was still Poor, but should improve with time.

For 2021, the majority of Bass below the slot will range from 0.5 -1.5 lbs., while those exceeding 18” will be 3.5 pounds or greater. Harvest of Bass below the slot limit (less than 15”) is encouraged.

WHITE BASS;

Fair;

White Bass numbers increased in 2020.

However, average body condition was Very Poor.

Angling opportunities for White Bass should be Fair/Good in 2021.

Harvest of White Bass in Lake Sara is encouraged.

WHITE CRAPPIE;

Good;

Both Black and White Crappie are present in Lake Sara, but White Crappie are the dominant species.

Data collected from the annual population survey indicated that 40% of the adult White Crappie were greater than 10” in length.

Body condition for White Crappie decreased.

Crappie should provide good angling opportunities in the coming year.

Location: Lake Sara is located in Effingham County approximately 5 miles southwest of Effingham, Illinois.

Description: Lake Sara was constructed in 1957, and it has a surface area of 614 acres, a maximum depth of 47 feet, and a mean depth of 19 feet.

The lake has 38 miles of shoreline and a watershed of 7,560 acres.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery:

The sport fish population in Lake Sara is comprised primarily of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, White and Black Crappies, White Bass, and Channel Catfish.

Other common species include Common Carp and Yellow Bullheads.

The fish population is surveyed annually.

Additional Lake Information:

Two pole and line fishing only.

Boat permits are required and can be purchased at either of Lake Sara's two Marinas, the Mach 1 gas station on Rt. 33 West, or Lake Sara Marina in Effingham.

Site Regulation:

Largemouth bass: 6 fish daily limit, protected slot length limit of 15 – 18"


White, black, or hybrid crappie: 25 fish limit (collectively)

Contact Information:

Lake Sara Water Authority

217-868-2787

IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Boone LaHood

618-393-6732

There were 41 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2020.


Species Total Fish Caught
Largemouth Bass 2190

Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2020 tournaments:
1 6.19 lbs
2 6.19 lbs
3 6.12 lbs
4 6.00 lbs
5 5.88 lbs

Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2020 tournaments:
1 362.28 lbs
2 248.65 lbs
3 241.42 lbs
4 172.40 lbs
5 171.25 lbs


Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.

Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments?

Contact us with tournament ID for more information.

2021 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date ID Approval Ramp Location Bank/Boat
Hook/Bow Max Boats Species Youth? Open to Public?
July-10 18178 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 25 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
July-11 17067 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 10 Largemouth Bass
No No
July-15 17981 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 30 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
July-17 18472 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 30 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
July-18 17673 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 15 Largemouth Bass
No No
July-22 17982 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 30 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
July-24 17098 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 15 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
July-25 17848 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 20 Largemouth Bass
No No
July-29 17983 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 30 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
July-31 18179 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 25 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
August-05 17984 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 30 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
August-07 18473 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 30 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
August-08 19487 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 15 Largemouth Bass
No No
August-12 17985 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 30 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
August-14 16848 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 15 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
August-15 19496 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 15 Largemouth Bass
No No
August-19 17986 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 30 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
August-21 19360 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 40 Largemouth Bass
No No
August-22 18180 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 25 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
August-26 17987 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 30 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
August-28 17988 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 30 Largemouth Bass
No Yes
September-26 17693 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 20 Largemouth Bass
No No
October-09
*October-10 17327 Approved Marina Ramp boat
hook 20 Largemouth Bass
No No
October-16
*October-17 18087 Approved Anthony Acres Ramp boat
hook 45 Largemouth Bass
No No
October-23
*October-24 19283 Approved Anthony Acres Ramp boat
hook 7 Largemouth Bass
No No

Please click on link for additional information, Thank You.

https://www.ifishillinois.org/profiles/waterbody.php?waternum=00221
Thank you! I appreciate the info.


Ron620DVS🎣🐠🐟🐸🦞




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