Fishing Lake Lou Yeager
AKA: Lou Yeager Reservoir
Popular Fish Species Lake Lou Yeager, IL

Channel Catfish Fishing
To fish for catfish on Lake Lou Yeager, most any rod and reel will work, as long as the line is strong enough. For serious catfish enthusiasts, using the right equipment improves success. A medium action, to medium-heavy action rod is ideal, in the 6' to 7' range. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits on at least 10-pound line. Use sharp hooks with bait holders on the shank, or circle hooks for live bait. Lake Lou Yeager has a decent population of channel catfish, and they are eager to bite. The typical fish are about 2 pounds, with larger ones caught frequently. The state record channel catfish is over 45 pounds. Night fishing for catfish often delivers better results than daytime fishing. Fishing for channel catfish is often most productive around any kind of structure in the area. In Spring channel catfish migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin.

White Crappie Fishing
Plenty of healthy white crappie reside in Lake Lou Yeager, as they are making a nice comeback this year. The fish population is healthy and crappie fishing is excellent. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate shallow brush and vegetation in Spring and Fall focusing on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out to as deep as 30 to 35 feet, as well as ledges near channels at these depths. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here.

Bluegill Fishing
Fishing for bluegill is a time-honored tradition at Lake Lou Yeager. Young and old, beginners and seasoned anglers alike, all enjoy catching a bunch of fat bluegill. This year, much like recent years, the bluegill population is healthy and always looking for something to eat. Bluegill fishing is as basic as fishing gets. Any pole, reasonably small line and small hooks baited with anything edible, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Bluegill hang around brush, rocks, vegetation or any cover available.
Lake Lou Yeager Fishing Video
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, white crappie, bluegill, green sunfish and warmouth at Lake Lou Yeager in Illinois.
Lake Lou Yeager is a 1,300-acre lake, in the central part of the state, 2 miles northeast of Litchfield. Bass fishing is a popular pursuit here, with quality largemouth present in good numbers. Catfish are also abundant in the lake. Crappie, bluegill, and sunfish are popular panfish species that populate Lake Lou Yeager.
While the kids are playing at Milnot Beach, dad can search out his favorite fish species along 45 miles of shoreline. Bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish are plentiful here with fishing tournaments held annually. Boat launch ramps and a marina with bait are open to the public.
Primary fish species residing in Lake Lou Yeager
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Lake Lou Yeager Amenities
Marina: YES
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: NEARBY
Today's Weather & Forecast
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Litchfield Lake Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Beach House Trail, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.
Marina Lane Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off Marina Lane, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.
Fishing Guides On Lake Lou Yeager
If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.
Fishing License
Click here for a Illinois Fishing License.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Rainmaker Campground - 217 741-7595
Lake Lou Yeager Campground - 217 324-4771
Bicentennial Campgroud at Lake Lou Yaeger - 217 324-4771
Blossom at Country Bend Campground - 217 324-2363
Kamper kompanion Rv Park & Campground - 217 324-4747
Lake Lou Yeager IL Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Lake Lou Yeager
Lake Lou Yaeger Marina
4943 Beach House Trail
Litchfield, IL 62056
217 324-5441
Fishing lakes in each state.
021325
Lake Lou Yeager in IL
ILLINOIS


Fishing for bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish in central IL.