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Mallard Lake
Bluegill
Best time: Morning 6–9 AM
Use
Tiny Tube Jig
Smallest jig in the tackle box, reeled very slowly
1/64 oz, chartreuse or white
How
Fish the weed edges at dawn. 25-fish daily limit.
Channel Catfish
Best time: Evening and night
Use
Cut Gizzard Shad
A chunk of gizzard shad — the oily smell draws catfish from far away
1–2 oz egg sinker, 18" leader, 2/0 circle hook on the bottom
How
Gizzard shad live in this lake. If you catch one on a small hook, cut it up for catfish bait. Cast to 8–15 ft depth.
Largemouth Bass
Best time: Before 9 AM or after 7 PM only
Use
Topwater Frog
A floating rubber frog that hops across lily pads without snagging
Hollow body frog, green or brown
How
Work the weed edges near the island at first light. Daytime bass require finesse — go deep with a drop-shot.
Muskellunge
Best time: Dusk only
Use
Large Bucktail Spinner
Big spinner with steady retrieve; figure-8 at boatside every cast
White or chartreuse, 1 oz, heavy leader
How
Low percentage in summer. Best chance at dusk near the south-end weed edge. Figure-8 on every single retrieve.
Regulations
Bluegill25 per day
Channel Catfishmin 12" · 6 per day
Largemouth Bassmin 14–18" slot (keep under 14" or over 18") · 4 per day (max 1 over 18")
Muskellungemin 48" (DuPage) / 42" (Busse) · 1 per day
All Illinois waters require a valid fishing license. Check IDNR iFish app for current stockings.