| Heidecke Lake |
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Heidecke Lake, the 2,000-some acre reservoir, provided cooling water for the Collins
Station back-up generating plant. Collins was sold to Midwest Generating. The Illinois
DNR worked out a lease which allows public access to the lake for fishing and hunting.
Because the plant is not operating anymore, the three-and-one-half mile long reservoir
acts like a natural lake. The lake is still mostly perched, designed specifically to catch
the cooling effects of prevailing winds. This causes for some dangerous times on the
lake. Make sure to check the weather report before you head out to Heidecke Lake.
The fishing can be very good on Heidecke Lake. Largemouth Bass in the 2 to 4 pound
range are common. Smallmouth bass, walleye, muskie, channel catfish, flathead
catfish, crappie and hybrid striped bass can also be caught in this lake.
Station back-up generating plant. Collins was sold to Midwest Generating. The Illinois
DNR worked out a lease which allows public access to the lake for fishing and hunting.
Because the plant is not operating anymore, the three-and-one-half mile long reservoir
acts like a natural lake. The lake is still mostly perched, designed specifically to catch
the cooling effects of prevailing winds. This causes for some dangerous times on the
lake. Make sure to check the weather report before you head out to Heidecke Lake.
The fishing can be very good on Heidecke Lake. Largemouth Bass in the 2 to 4 pound
range are common. Smallmouth bass, walleye, muskie, channel catfish, flathead
catfish, crappie and hybrid striped bass can also be caught in this lake.