Southern Illinois Fishing: A Comprehensive Guide for Anglers

The ultimate resource for sport fishing in southern Illinois

Southern Illinois's many waterways teem with an incredible variety of fish species, and award-winning fisherman and journalist Colby Simms knows exactly where and how to catch them all.

Within these pages, Simms shares the secrets he's gleaned from years of hard-won experience: colossal catfish dominate the Mississippi River; monstrous muskies rule over Kinkaid Lake. Rend gives up record crappie and bowfin, while Crab Orchard produces excellent largemouth bass fishing and Cedar offers huge striped bass. Whether you're powerboating a large lake or paddling an out-of-the-way oxbow, the region presents countless opportunities for different styles of fishing. Wondering which bait and tackle will produce the best results, or how seasonal weather affects fish migration patterns? Simms has already conferred with fellow fishing pros as well as biologists, outdoor sports media figures, and other experts to bring you the most current, site-specific information possible. From fishing fundamentals to the most advanced, cutting-edge techniques, he presents a battle plan for attacking the waters, big and small, of the lower Prairie State, which will benefit all anglers--from beginners to seasoned tournament competitors.

Nestled between the critical information and detailed instructions, you'll find stories from Simms and additional professional anglers, state fisheries staff, recreational fishers, and others. You'll find encouragement and motivation to put away life's modern distractions and get back to nature. Southern Illinois Fishing brims with enthusiasm, humor, and heart, and is sure to educate and inspire readers to lose themselves in the ancient tradition and modern sport of fishing.

Author: Colby Simms
Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press
Published: 03/14/2025
Pages: 228
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.10w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9780809339624

About the Author
Colby Simms is a multiple muskie, bass and billfish tournament champ, multiple circuit championship title holder, and winner of the first Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail Qualifier and IMTT State Championship, who's been featured in the Chicago Sun Times, Field & Stream, Illinois Game & Fish, and USA Today. He's a record-holding guide, public speaker, award-winning national network TV & radio personality, and a multiple award-winning international writer with work appearing over 3,000 times in over 50 publications. He's owner of Colby Simms Outdoors LLC, operating one of the largest charter services in the Lower Midwest, and his signature tackle products have been carried by dealers across multiple countries, including the world's largest outdoor sports retailer, Bass Pro Shops.