Best Midwest lakes to fish this weekend: Lake Monroe leads

For the weekend of November 14, Lake Monroe has the best outlook in the Midwest. Each lake earns points for good bite ratings on Saturday and Sunday and for light wind, and loses them for strong gusts or a high chance of rain.

The list is ranked; each lake links to its page with the live numbers.

1. 1
   

   Lake Monroe, IN

   Best on Saturday 58°F water

   The water is 58°F and largemouth bass are in range. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves. A wind-blown bank in 4 to 16 ft is the place to begin; try small swimbait or spinner, follow the birds. It is a big piece of water: about 10,800 acres at full pool. Go Saturday (good bite). Saturday: mostly sunny, high 49°F, wind 7 mph. Sunday: sunny, high 52°F, wind 2 mph.

   Photo: Nyttend (public domain)

2. 2
   

   Lake of the Ozarks, MO

   Work the wind-blown bank 64°F water

   At 64°F, largemouth bass are the bet here. Start at a wind-blown bank; try spinnerbait or crankbait along the edge. It is a big piece of water: about 54,000 acres at full pool. Go Saturday (good bite). Saturday: mostly sunny, high 49°F, wind 2 mph. Sunday: mostly sunny, high 52°F, wind 2 mph.

   Photo: Ben Jacobson ( Kranar Drogin ), CC BY 2.5

3. 3
   

   Lake Shelbyville, IL

   65 ft of water to work with 57°F water

   At 57°F, crappie are the bet here. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft. A wind-blown bank in 4 to 16 ft is the place to begin; jig and minnow or crankbait along the edge. Plan to cover water: the lake spreads over about 11,100 acres at full pool. Saturday rates good for the bite. Saturday: sunny, high 48°F, wind 5 mph. Sunday: sunny, high 50°F, wind 2 mph.

   Photo: Marx01 Tell me about it, CC BY-SA 3.0

4. 4
   

   Table Rock Lake, MO

   Largemouth bass in 64°F water 64°F water

   64°F at the surface puts largemouth bass first in line. A wind-blown bank in 4 to 16 ft is the place to begin; try spinnerbait or crankbait along the edge. The lake sits 6 ft below its usual level, so fish crowd onto fewer points and short ramps may not reach the water. Go Saturday (good bite). Saturday: mostly sunny, high 51°F, wind 6 mph. Sunday: mostly sunny, high 52°F, wind 7 mph.

   Photo: Drew de F Fawkes from Guildford, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 4.0

5. 5
   

   Truman Lake, MO

   80 ft of water to work with 63°F water

   At 63°F, crappie are the bet here. Start at a wind-blown bank; try small swimbait or spinner, follow the birds. Plan to cover water: the lake spreads over about 55,600 acres at full pool. Go Saturday (good bite). Saturday: mostly sunny, high 49°F, wind 3 mph. Sunday: mostly sunny, high 51°F, wind 3 mph.

   Photo: MoBikeFed, CC BY 2.0

6. 6
   

   Lake Erie (western basin), OH

   60 ft of water to work with 54°F water

   At 54°F, walleye are the bet here. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges. A point drop-off in 36 to 40 ft is the place to begin; jig and minnow or crankbait along the edge. Go Saturday (good bite). Saturday: mostly sunny, high 46°F, wind 12 mph. Sunday: partly sunny, high 47°F, wind 7 mph.

   Photo: Analogue Kid, CC BY-SA 3.0

7. 7
   

   Geneva Lake, WI

   Northern pike in 55°F water 55°F water

   55°F at the surface puts northern pike first in line. Weed edges and shallow bays. A wind-blown bank in 4 to 16 ft is the place to begin; try tube or ned rig on rock. At about 5,400 acres, it is easy to cover in a morning. Go Saturday (good bite). Saturday: sunny, high 45°F, wind 5 mph. Sunday: sunny, high 47°F, wind 0 mph.

   Photo: Lakegenevaestates, CC BY-SA 4.0

8. 8
   

   Lake Mille Lacs, MN

   Work the upper arm 46°F water

   The water is 46°F and walleye are active. Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark. Start at an upper arm in 10 to 14 ft; jig and minnow, slow, near bottom. It is a big piece of water: about 132,000 acres at full pool. Saturday rates good for the bite. Saturday: sunny, high 41°F, wind 5 mph. Sunday: sunny, high 42°F, wind 10 mph.

   Photo: Myotus, CC BY-SA 4.0