Bluegill fishing at Taylorville Lake

Start shallow in spring: bluegill sit in 1 to 6 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 4 to 15 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 19 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig covers the summer program.

Channel Catfish fishing at Taylorville Lake

In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 6 to 19 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 19 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 16 ft, rated prime for winter channel catfish. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.

Crappie fishing at Taylorville Lake

Spring crappie on Taylorville Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 6 to 19 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 19 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 16 ft that scores prime in winter. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) gets it done.

Freshwater Drum fishing at Taylorville Lake

In spring, freshwater drum run shallow here, mostly 5 to 19 ft. Summer fish stay in 5 to 19 ft, and winter fish hold in 6 to 19 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 16 ft, rated prime for winter freshwater drum. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening. Summer baits: a jig + crawler combo or a small crankbait (slow) gets it done.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Taylorville Lake

In spring, largemouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 6 to 19 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 19 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring largemouth bass. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait and you're in the game.

Sauger fishing at Taylorville Lake

Spring sauger on Taylorville Lake hold shallow, usually 4 to 18 ft. By summer they slide out to 6 to 19 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 19 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 16 ft, rated prime for winter sauger. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A bottom bouncer + crawler or a 3-way rig with stickbait covers the summer program.

How deep is Taylorville Lake?

Taylorville Lake is about 19 ft (6 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Taylorville Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, sauger, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, freshwater drum on Taylorville Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Taylorville Lake?

Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for bluegill in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Taylorville Lake?

For bluegill, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.