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. “ Southern Illinois Fishing is a treasure chest waiting to be opened.”— Mike Roux , owner, Mike Roux Outdoor Enterprises “Colby Simms shines as a masterful storyteller whose journeys across diverse terrains have honed his ability to craft narratives that are both riveting and enlightening.”— Mark Lassagne , publisher, Bass Angler Magazine “Tapping into his deep expertise from years of fishing around the world, Simms opens up the throttle on tactics and gear that bring in big southern Illinois fish all year round. Engaging and exciting, this book shows us how a successful day of fishing is more than just catching fish—it’s about connecting with family and friends, being willing to learn every day, and staying curious about the natural world waiting for us outside.”— James Garvey , director, Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Southern Illinois University “This book will not only entice you to learn how to fish—it also promotes the peacefulness, solitude, and many benefits of being in nature and sharing the outdoors with those you love.”— Larry Ladowski , journalist, MidWest Outdoors 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.  Introduction Southern Illinois is a special place for many reasons. But for the angler, these beautiful and bountiful lands offer much more. They provide something that is difficult to describe, something unique and something wonderful, something to be treasured and something to be celebrated. For it is here in this magnificent place, this sportsmen’s mecca, that uplifting and truly magical experiences are had. It is here that lovers of the great outdoors can, and so often do, develop passions that will rage inside them like wildfire for all of their lives. I’m blessed to have been able to live my dreams, as a full-time fishing pro and outdoor sports media member, for most of my adult life. And I’ve also been blessed to call these my home waters, the waters of Southern Illinois. Hunting and hiking, boating and camping, rock climbing and horseback riding are just a few of the countless activities and sports practiced in this place—this place that seems as if it was created just for these purposes. But it is the great sport and ancient tradition of fishing that causes the outdoor sporting paradise that is Southern Illinois to shine brightest. Southern Illinois fishing is truly remarkable. The tremendous variety of waters and species, the awe-inspiring wilderness area