When looking for an expert on fishing, especially bass fishing, at Carlyle Lake, Al Crocker should be at the top of your list. Al, of rural Carlyle, has been fishing at Carlyle lake for about 40 years. That's saying something, as the Lake was first constructed 42 years ago. He has a syndicated fishing report featured on Southern Illinois radio stations and operates AC Fishing Guide Service, at Carlyle and other Southern Illinois lakes. Al is definitely qualified to give advice on the ins and outs of fishing Carlyle Lake, and he has agreed to share some of his bass tips.
Al Crocker has also been a big supporter of the Illinois High School Association's (IHSA) efforts to sanction bass fishing as a high sport. When the City of Carlyle asked for his help in spreading knowledge about bass fishing at Carlyle Lake, he was happy to oblige. His message: Come prepared because bass fishing at Carlyle Lake is a challenge.
"Carlyle Lake is different from any lake in the Midwest," Al reports about his experience here. For example, "Fish may hold in two feet of water in the summer at Carlyle, where at other lakes, they go deeper into structure. I haven't been able to figure out why."
Although a challenge in some ways, Carlyle Lake does support some of the same rules you will find elsewhere when bass fishing. Al suggests to look along the Lake's rip-rap, and look for rip-rap that is close to deeper water. "Stump beds in branches are also good places to look for bass. Some of the Lake's deeper points are other locations to look."
For largemouth lures, Crocker likes to use lipless crank baits, jigs, and shaky head jigs.
Al reports that he has been impressed with the stocking program of largemouth bass at Carlyle Lake over the last couple of years. But the story on the outcome of those stocking efforts is yet to be written. "We'll have to wait and see this spring the average size of largemouth caught at Carlyle," Al said.
Beyond finding Carlyle Lake's bass habitat and presenting the right lures, Al Crocker reports bass fishermen will need to stay current on Lake conditions. "Success will be dependent upon being up-to-date on the conditions at Carlyle Lake to know how to attack," Al said, referring to Lake elevation, water clarity, and surface temperature. "Conditions at Carlyle are always changing."