MASTODON LAKE

Fishing Weather Hydrology
November 1, 2024

Mastodon Lake in Illinois is a popular fishing location for anglers of all skill levels. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. Nearby activities include hiking, picnicking, and camping. Fishing tip: try using live bait or lures that resemble the lake's natural food sources. The best time to visit is in the spring or fall when the weather is cooler, with average temperatures ranging from 50-70°F.

Featured Fish - Black Crappie

It is an abundant species and is important both commercially and as a sport fish. Black crappies are easily caught, often as fast as the hook can be rebaited. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish: Though they show a definite family resemblance, they are distinctive enough that they shouldn’t be confused with any other species. The black crappie and the white crappie are most often confused with each other. Despite their common names, both species are the same color (dark olive or black dorsally with silvery sides) and both have spots on the sides. However, the pattern of the spotting is distinctly different. In the black crappie the spots are more or less irregular and scattered while in the white crappie the spots may be more vague and are clearly arranged into 7-9 vertical bars on the sides. Another distinction; the black crappie has 7-8 dorsal spines while the white crappie has only 6, the same number as in its anal fin. In body shape the black crappie’s is somewhat deeper than the white crappie.

INTERACTIVE MAP

Fish Species
  • Image Alt Largemouth Bass


  • Image Alt Rock Bass


  • Image Alt Smallmouth Bass


  • Image Alt Bluegill


  • Image Alt Common Carp


  • Image Alt Blue Catfish


  • Image Alt Channel Catfish


  • Image Alt Flathead Catfish


  • Image Alt Black Crappie


  • Image Alt Redear Sunfish


WEATHER TODAY

°F

°F

mph

Windspeed

%

Humidity

Hourly Forecast
Next 5 Days

Long Term Forecast
Next 16 Days

Streamflow Levels

11

Cubic Feet Per Second

674

Cubic Feet Per Second

11

Cubic Feet Per Second

3

Cubic Feet Per Second

200

Cubic Feet Per Second

126

Cubic Feet Per Second

97

Cubic Feet Per Second

Point of Interest

Nature Preserve Volo Bog

Nature Preserve Volo Bog

Nature Preserve Volo Bog is located in the state of Illinois, not Tennessee. It is a unique and beautiful natural area that attracts visitors from all over the region. There are many reasons to visit this preserve, including its status as one of only a few remaining quaking bogs in the country, its diverse range of flora and fauna, and its excellent hiking trails. One of the main points of interest at Volo Bog is the boardwalk that winds through the heart of the bog. This boardwalk offers visitors an up-close and personal look at the plant and animal life ...