Lake Clinton - review & breakdown

[@danaskren7443]

Once again thank you for the breakdown on Clinton Lake. I enjoy all your structure videos and fishing knowledge, This lake is only 13 miles from me so I fish it quite often.

[@russelldonithan540]

There is a roadbed in the cold end that is always good for wipers use wire

[@joes4735]

I did not know they opened the power plant intake. Great, thank you.

[@Glassguy85]

Also Weldon access close to hot water discharge or Parnell access at north east side or marina has boat ramps as well marina in my opinion is the beat but there is a $5 fee to launch

[@1Silverlining]

I can't thank you enough for this video!

[@travisyork3915]

You can bank fish that little North spot there on the power plant side (Sesame Rd.) Excellent little secret spot only used by a few locals.

[@dennisradtke8939]

Hello Jim - great video. I suggest Clarks Hill Lake GA 30802 specifically Mistletoe Campground which is located West of HWY 47 on the South side. I will be there this Thanksgiving for almost a week. There is the channel, streams, roads, bridges but seem to be deep. My review is to start straight out from the campground and head west, the area appears to be loaded with structure. My idea to follow the guide and when a fish is on toss a marker and check the area.

[@StructureFishing]

Wow, I looked up the lake, big and deep! I did notice a couple of very good looking areas on navionics. A lake like this with mostly steep structures, I'd look for structures that have larger shallower sections to them.

[@cartercavitt2670]

I use to fish this location when I was stationed at Ft. Gordon in the Army in the 80s, huge bass.

[@aaronh4431]

Just bingeing on older video I have studied the material, “ Bucks “, but it’s a bigger jump to apply on real maps . I’m finding it hard to eliminate or interpret bad from good or better from worse . Thanks for helping

[@randy4805]

Great info! I am so thankful that you are “showing and talking” structure fishing! In June and Sept I am going to be in the Galesburg area. Any advance info available? Again thanks!

[@crc1785]

The marina has the best launch for a solo angler. It’s protected from wind/currents and has docks right at the ramp. Most of the time I’m fishing with my kids & it’s absolutely worth the $5 to put in there.

[@Mbtharp1]

I was just watching one of your videos, and had the thought, “I wish he’d make a video about Clinton”. Got on your page and saw this! Nice surprise lol

[@cartercavitt2670]

Have you ever heard of Lake Shawano? I hear it has a healthy population of Northern Pike and Walleye. Its a clear water lake so I think I will be learning how to fish wire, the depth goes down to 40 feet. Any advise?

[@alramos9713]

Have you done a structure review of Lake Sara?

[@mikedudka103]

What areas would you focus on at this time of the year at clinton for wipers crappie and walleye?

[@StructureFishing]

Wipers can be anywhere this time of the year. Same with the walleyes. A rarely fish Clinton in the fall, but I was there last year in November and found Wipers on the same bar I fish in the summer, which is near the intake area. The bar/structure near the marina i good in the fall as well. Find brush/trees in deeper water, you'll find crappies.

[@brettturner5780]

Hi Jim - I am a subscriber and have corresponded with you in the past as our sons' attend high school together. You mentioned Coffeen Lake. Since we live in a colder climate in the Chicago area, I have been trying to fish power plant lakes in the winter as I don't like to ice fish. I have fished Clinton twice and Newton several times - always for largemouth bass. Always done much better at Newton. I have been thinking about expanding to Coffeen and Sangchris as other alternatives downstate, especially Coffeen as it looks like a really good bass lake. What has been your experience? Thinking about Coffeen in November and December; are there particular structures you like on the lake? Never fished the lake before so try to get a bit of a starting point. Great video on Clinton btw!

[@StructureFishing]

Shoot me an email, I'll send you some areas for Coffeen. [e-mail]

[@EngineeringHooksets]

The coffeen powerplant was shut down in 2019, so no warm water winter fishing, unfortunately.

[@StructureFishing]

@@EngineeringHooksets I heard that a couple of weeks ago too. I have not fished there in many years. The water color use to be dark green, low visibility (good for fishing), then it cleared up one year (early 2000's?). Fishing then went downhill. Is it still clear or back to low visibility? It was an outstanding bass lake when I first fished it in 93 til it cleared up.

[@EngineeringHooksets]

@@StructureFishing we did our club's classic there this year and it was pretty good. Winning 2 day weight was 30lbs. We came in 2nd with 20lbs. Not trying to plug my own channel but I have 2 vids up from it if you want to see water color and whatnot.

[@StructureFishing]

@@EngineeringHooksets Yep, water is still clearer then years ago. looked like weeds down to at least 10ft now. Years ago hardly any weeds, only down to 2ft, if that. Looks like the population is back! Nice videos, thumbs up!

[@ifishcatfish]

do u sleep at hotel when u go there? This is 3 hours from Chicago..

[@StructureFishing]

Van life!

[@ifishcatfish]

@@StructureFishing yeah, ive slept in my subaru but im done with that

[@KirbyFnL]

how many vistior are there at Clinton lake iL?

[@leoavocado7624]

Thanks for the info! Are you planning on doing one on Evergreen or do you not like fishing it?

[@StructureFishing]

Never fished it, with the 10hp limit on it. They have a boat rental, so I hope to spend a day there soon. I've heard of some nice fish being caught there.

[@kingjulian2871]

@@StructureFishing yes sir, caught a few nice sized Muskie over here

[@Guerrerofishing]

Can I use a kayak in this lake?

[@georgelbrotozaur8362]

can you do shabbona lake please

[@travismerica5332]

Caught a 14 pound blue catfish today

[@marki61422]

any good places to bank fish at Clinton Lake.

[@DTAP17]

Spillway

[@rickangel7288]

Boondocks isn’t there anymore

[@harley4419]

Evergreen lake

[@russelldonithan540]

Decatur???you talking about dennis heinekin??? Not sure of the spelling

[@StructureFishing]

Yes, Dennis H! I thought he moved years ago. Is he still around? I picked him up and we went to one of the jamborees in Chattanooga one year.

[@StructureFishing]

You in Decatur? I fished that a couple of times this year. Not much there in the terms of structure, other then causways, and a bar near the dam area. Other then that a shallow breakline along the shoreline, then a dish bowl mostly. Did manage a few nice walleyes off the causway as you enter the last basin.

[@russelldonithan540]

@@StructureFishing I don't know haven't seen him in yrs used to call him once a yr just to talk to him he the one who shown the spot on the roadbed you run a straight line to the shore hitting the roadbed with 13,14 layers of wire third week in June he mentioned sharing a tent a with somebody was that you?

[@russelldonithan540]

@@StructureFishing no Peoria dennis h was familiar with lake decatur said the was only one good structure on the lake he loved lake shelbyville too

[@StructureFishing]

@@russelldonithan540 yes, I pitched tents back then. He was a very good spoonplugger. He did really good on the bass at Shelbyville too. He told me about that small bar/hump by the west ramp. I use to talk to him a few times a year, and met him on the water (fishing separately) a few times.

[@Mr_Clean]

The 9/11 bouys are gone?????!!!! 😳😳😳💪

[@americanfortruth]

Lived in Illinois all my life and I would say it's the worst state in the nation for fishing , big thing is no where near enough hatcheries which is really 1 hatchery... pathetic!!!!!

[@MrJustin0919]

There's definitely worse out there. Catfish and other species ain't bad, but of course some states show Illinois up like nothing

[@bruceontheloose1708]

want some good wlley right now go to maumee ohio the maumee river thee and the spawn is going right now. wader or boat it. i prefer to just wade. bring extra line egg wweights 3/8-3/4 jigs you will lose a lot.