Bass fishing is spotty. White bass are better, hitting jigging spoons or minnows off the flats near dropoffs. Jim Crowley of Bloomington reports bass fishing is very good at Lake Springfield, where anglers were catching bedding fish last weekend on tube jigs, lizards and small crankbaits. Crappie and white bass are also good and catfish have been hitting dip baits. The concession stand is open at Weldon Springs, where fishing is good for bluegill near the banks.
Channel catfish are also good around the dam.
Mat Bobinski of Peoria hooked a nice 1.2-pound redear on Tuesday. TIPS If you spend time on the Illinois River and haven't already purchased a copy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' new navigation charts, you should do so soon. Maps are available at the Corps office in Peoria or at Presley's South Side Worm Ranch. According to Larry Dozard, the best fishing days this month will be Saturday through Wednesday and May 20-24.