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Lake Bloomington Offers Variety

By: Terry Brown

Nestled comfortably in the heart of the Corn Belt, just north of Bloomington/Normal, Illinois, is one of the best-kept fishing secrets in Illinois.

Lake Bloomington is a 650-acre impoundment supported by 43,000 acres of watershed. It is one of two lakes that furnish water to the Bloomington/Normal metro area and has been impounded since 1929.

Permits are needed and there is a 40 hp limit on outboards. The average depth is 15 feet but there are areas that have 40-foot depths. Lake maps are available. Be sure to read the lake rules carefully before heading out.

Available game fish include largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, walleye, crappie, hybrid stripers, white bass and some northern pike. Native gizzard shad and crawfish serve as forage and populations of yellow bass and warmouth bass have also been surveyed.

Lake Bloomington has a good population of smallmouth bass and once was home to a longstanding state record smallie.

Large fluctuations in water levels on an annual basis have kept the vegetation to a minimum, but native American/Midwest aquatics like cattails, arrowhead, water willow and Illinois pondweed are present. The water is generally clear but can become muddy after heavy spring and fall rains.

Supported by two distinct creeks, Hickory and Money Creeks, this lake has something for everyone. Both creeks are no wake areas. Whether fishing blowdowns, vegetation and stumps in the creeks or points, seawalls and docks in the main basin, fishing for bass has been exceptional during the past five years.

Excellent recruitment of young of the year spawn fish, aided by additional stocking programs by the IDNR, has made this lake the crown jewel for bass fishing in Central Illinois . Average bass catches often include numerous 12-14 inch fish. Bass reaching 6-7 pounds are common and there have been reports of bass over 8 pounds in 2004.

The average bass caught weighed a respectable 2.74 pounds from the 2004 results of the Bloomington-Normal Bass Club and Strike King Ever-Bloom Tournaments. Numerous bass tournaments are held on Lake Bloomington and average daily weights of 10-14 pounds for five fish are common. Keeper bass must measure 15 inches.

Bass are taken on tubes, crankbaits, jigs, and spinnerbaits. Carolina rig fishing is also good at times on deep points and breaks. Colors of choice are watermelon, pumpkin, and black/blue in plastics and jigs. Crankbait colors of shad, firetiger and white are the most effective. The best spinnerbait colors are white and chartreuse. Buzzbaits work exceptionally well in the fall when bass are chasing shad.

Walleye and Striper/Hybrid fishing has gained popularity in recent years with several walleye recorded more than 11 pounds. Stripers and Hybrids school in the fall and action can be heavy while throwing crankbaits, tail spinners and white jigs. Minnows and leeches also work exceptionally well for both species.

Crappie fishing has waned in recent years as a result of over-harvest, but it seems to be on a resurgence. Numerous crappie over 10” have been caught and there is a 25 fish per person daily limit. Bluegill populations are also good. Minnows, nightcrawlers and tubes work best for these species.

Anglers looking for a great opportunity to catch a variety of fish in a varied ecosystem should try Lake Bloomington .