Thread: Gillispie, Carlinville, Staunton, Mississippi river?

When we go to Litchfield or Hillsboro lakes, we usually just get a daily pass.......$10 at Litchfield, $20 at Hillsboro. Don't fish either lake enough to get an annual pass. You'll need to show proof of insurance to get a permit at Hillsboro. Haven't fished the other lakes mentioned, nor the Mississippi for crappie. Good Luck!

I don't know about Carlinville, but Staunton and Gillespie both have stickers too. I don't know what the cost for either of those stickers are. If you're looking for crappie on the miss you need to go a little farther up than grafton......the backwaters in Calhoun County can be good. Of course as dry as its looking there might not be much backwater when they draw down to plant for duck feed.

Several years ago I lived in Alton and did quite a bit of fishing in that area. I used to put the boat in the chute at 12-Mile Island and head north into the Illinois River and then fish up Otter Creek. There was a public boat launch into the chute. The chute ramp was a few miles north of Grafton along the highway then down a gravel road. I fished for largemouth and white bass in Otter Creek, but there was alot of wood in the creek and I can't help but think crappie are in there. Also used to night fish the Illinois River for channel cat around the mouth of Otter Creek using Sonny's Stink Bait on the bottom and did pretty good alot of times.

Fished for crappie a little bit in the creek that runs from Piasa Harbor on the Mississippi as well. Caught some fish there but only fished it once or twice.

Used to fish at Beaver Dam Lake as well. It was electric only, but a nice little lake. Had good population of largemouths, but I din't crappie dish it. Nice little lake though. And it was free. Good luck with the fishing and hope you catch a bunch.

Hi,


I think you have to purchase a yearly permit at Staunton....I think it is $40 bucks...

Jeremy