Highland Silver Lake

Highland Silver Lake is a reservoir in Madison County, Illinois. Highland Silver Lake covers about 550 acres and holds about 4,224 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Highland Silver Lake Affect Fishing

Highland Silver Lake was made by holding back a river or creek, making the old channel, bends and quiet coves sensible places to begin.

Fish and Baits at Highland Silver Lake

Fish reported from Highland Silver Lake include black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and white crappie.

Bass

For bass at Highland Silver, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Crappie, Perch and Sunfish

For panfish at Highland Silver, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, redear or other sunfish.

Catfish, Bullheads and Carp

For bottom fishing at Highland Silver, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel catfish.

How the Seasons Change Highland Silver Lake

Spring around Highland Silver is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall around Highland Silver can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing Highland Silver Lake

On a first trip to Highland Silver, check incoming water, one bend in the old channel and a point near deep water with a moving lure, then slow down with a jig or worm where you get a bite.

Useful Tackle for Highland Silver Lake

A medium spinning rod with 8- to 10-pound line handles most jigs, worms and small lures at Highland Silver, while a medium-heavy rod is better for bass jigs and heavier bottom rigs.

Highland Silver Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 550-acre Highland Silver Lake?

At Highland Silver, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.

Why is no maximum depth listed for Highland Silver Lake?

A reliable depth number was not found for Highland Silver, so anglers should rely on what they can see and what their lure touches.

What does the 4,224 acre-foot storage figure mean at Highland Silver Lake?

At Highland Silver, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.