REGION 3 KIDS FISHING HOTSPOTS
District 10
Champaign County
HOMER LAKE
Homer Lake is
northwest from the city of Homer. The lake is 80.8 acres and has an average
depth of 8.4 feet. The long term management goals for Homer Lake are to
provide good largemouth bass and bluegill fisheries, and provide a good
channel catfish fishery. The lake is being managed to provide a better
panfish fishery with the implementation of an 8 inch minimum length limit
on bluegill and redear sunfish. Northern pike are stocked at low densities
to provide a bonus fish to anglers. Anglers have an opportunity to catch
a nice largemouth bass in Homer Lake. The lake also provides a great chance
to catch bluegill and white crappie. If you are a patient angler, you
might even catch a northern pike.
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Lake of the Woods is operated by the Champaign County Forest Preserve.
The lake is located 1 mile northeast of Mahomet. The lake was constructed
in 1945. Lake of the Woods has a maximum depth of 28 feet with an average
depth of 11.2 feet. The lake has a shoreline length of 1.8 miles and a
watershed of 600 acres. The long term goal for Lake of the Woods is to
provide quality panfish and catfish fisheries, and provide a quality trout
season in the spring. Common species in the lake include largemouth bass,
bluegill, channel catfish, redear sunfish, crappie, bullheads, and muskie.
There are plenty of places to fish around Lake of the Woods. Also on the
property is a smaller lake called Elks Pond. This small pond can be fished
for panfish and catfish.
RIVER BEND FOREST PRESERVE LAKE
The River Bend Foresst Preserve is located on the south edge of Mahomet
off of Route 47 on Mid-America Road. The preserve has two lakes, Sunset
Lake and Shadow Lake. Sunset Lake is 128 acres and Shadow Lake is 28 acres.
Sunset Lake provides angling opportunities for panfish, bass, northern
pike, and crappie. Common species found in Shadow Lake include bass, bluegill,
crappie, walleye, and catfish. These lakes are gravel pits and shoreline
fishing is limited, but improvements are being made to provide better
shoreline access.
CRYSTAL LAKE
Crystal Lake is located in the City of Urbana and is part of
the Urbana Park District. The lake is 7 acres and has an average depth
of 8 feet. The lake provides anglers an opportunity to catch bluegill,
green sunfish, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and carp.
KAUFMAN LAKE
Kaufman Lake is located in the City of Champaign and is part of the Champaign
Park District. The lake is 10 acres and has an average depth of 6.8 feet.
Kaufman Lake will provide anglers an opportunity to catch bluegill, channel
catfish, green sunfish, and largemouth bass.
DeWitt County
CLINTON LAKE
The Clinton Lake State Recreation Area is operated by the Illinois Department
of Natural Resources with the cooperation of Amergen Energy Company. This
site has greatly increased the fishing opportunity, as well as other major
water recreational activities, for residents of Illinois. This 4895 acre
lake was constructed to serve as a cooling reservoir for the Clinton Power
Station. The area from the discharge canal between the DeWitt Bridge and
the 48 Bridge, down to the dam is the area that is most affected by the
warm water. The North Fork Arm of the lake is not affected by the thermal
discharge. The lake has a maximum depth of 60 ft and an average depth
of 15 ft.
Angling is mainly from boats, but numerous fishing piers and shoreline
access areas are spread around the lake. Several bridges cross the lake
and provide anglers great access to fishing.
Largemouth Bass: Density and size structure are good for largemouth bass. The increase in aquatic vegetation may be responsible for the quality of the bass population.
Walleye: The quality of the walleye population has fluctuated over the years, but has shown improvements the last few years. Walleye are found primarily in the main body of the lake off the points and in the Salt Creek Arm of the lake along the flats. Favorite baits include deepwater bombers, minnows and leeches.
Hybrid Striped Bass/Striped Bass : Stockings have been low the past few years for hybrids and has resulted in a decline in the population. The pure striper population has increased over the years. Most hybrids/stripers are being taken off the sunken gravel pits and humps in the main body of the lake between the marina and dam. Favorite baits include silver spoons, crayfish and big minnows.
Crappie: The crappie population has declined since the late ‘80s, but attempts have been made to improve the fishery. Each year crappie are stocked from an on-site rearing pond. Fall netting surveys still indicate low numbers, but anglers are still catching crappie. Favorite baits include minnows and jigs; with wax worms working best through the ice.
WELDON SPRINGS
Weldon Springs is located 3 miles southeast of Clinton (T19N R2E Sec 12).
This fertile 29 acre lake was built in 1936 and has a maximum depth of
38 feet and an average depth of 10.3 feet. The overall objective for this
lake is to provide a good panfish fishery, while at the same time supplying
a quality largemouth bass fishery. The lake is known for supplying good
fishing for all species found in the lake. The good fertility of the lake
offers excellent growing conditions for the fish, and the high fishing
pressure keeps the larger fish cropped off allowing room for the middle-sized
fish to grow larger.
Largemouth Bass:The largemouth bass population provides anglers an opportunity to catch a large fish. Approximately 45% of bass collected during surveys are longer than 15 inches. Recruitment for largemouth bass fluctuates, but density has always been good. The restrictive length limit helps to maintain bass numbers. The bass regulation is a 15 inch minimum length limit with a 1 per day creel harvest limit.
Bluegill: The quality of the bluegill population fluctuates, but anglers can expect to catch a large number of 6 to 7 inch bluegill. The average size of bluegill collected during fall surveys has increased the past few years.
Redear Sunfish : Weldon Springs has had some great redear fishing in the past. The number of redear collected in fall surveys decreased in the late ‘90s, but the average size of the redear increased. The trend has switched to a higher number of redear sunfish, but their average size has decreased. However, approximately 35% are still larger than 7 inches.
Black Crappie : The density of black crappie in Weldon Springs is usually low, but the average size of black crappie is nice. The quality of the crappie population has increased the past few years and should provide anglers an opportunity to catch some nice fish.
Channel Catfish : Each year Weldon Springs is stocked with 8-inch channel catfish. Anglers should expect to catch catfish in the 16 to 25 inch range. With the stocking program, the catfish population should continue to provide great angling opportunities for channel catfish. The channel catfish regulation is a 6 per day creel harvest limit.
McLean County
LAKE BLOOMINGTON
This fertile 635 acre lake was has a maximum depth of 36 feet and an average
depth of 14.5 feet. The 47,180 acre watershed is predominately agricultural
which lends to high fertility and siltation. There are several handicap
accessible fishing piers. A state record saugeye was caught from one of
these fishing piers.
Largemouth Bass : The density of bass has increased tremendously due to the cooperative stocking program. Prior to the stocking program (1961-1986), the catch-per-hour (CPH) of electrofishing for bass averaged 14. The catch rate in 2003 was 55 bass per hour. The size structure of the bass population has also improved with 82% of the bass being over 12 inches in length and 18% over 15 inches. Excellent natural reproduction has occurred in 1995, 1996 and 1997, but has fluctuated since. Prior to this reproduction was extremely poor. The bass population is considered strong, and should provide good fishing. The length limit is 15 inches and the daily creel limit is 6.
Walleye : Walleye were first stocked by the IDNR in 1984. The Lake Association has good foresight and stocked walleye on several occasions prior to this date. The walleye has adapted well to this lake. The number of walleye collected per hour of electrofishing has continued to increase. Approximately 67% of the walleye are over 15 inches in length. Good walleye fishing is expected for years to come. The length limit on walleye is 14 inches and the daily creel limit is 6.
Hybrid Striped Bass : Hybrids were first stocked by the IDNR in 1994. The Lake Association has stocked this species on several occasions prior to this date. The hybrids have not been stocked every year, so their numbers are not as strong as they might be in the future. Anglers have reported catching hybrids over 20 inches in length. The length limit is 17 inches and the daily creel limit is 3 fish.
Northern Pike : Northern Pike were first stocked by IDNR in 1988. The Lake Association has stocked this species on several occasions prior to this date. The northern pike are stocked to supply another type of fishing. This species is not expected to reproduce in the lake, so their numbers will remain relatively low. The goal is to keep just enough of them in the lake to make things interesting. Fish in the range of 25-30 inches have been collected during night surveys. The length limit is 24 inches and the daily limit is 3.
EVERGREEN LAKE
Evergreen Lake is located approximately 10 miles north of Bloomington
(T25N R2E Sec 6 & 7) in Comlara Park. The lake is owned by the City
of Bloomington but the land around it is leased by the McLean County Park
and Recreation. The lake was built by the City in 1970 to serve as a secondary
water source for the City of Bloomington. Water from Evergreen Lake is
pumped into Lake Bloomington, which then goes through the water treatment
plant and is then pumped to the City of Bloomington. The spillway level
will be raised 5 feet in 1995, increasing the acres to 925. Currently
this fertile 925 acre lake has a maximum depth of 50 feet and an average
depth of 19.7 feet.
Largemouth Bass : The density of bass has increased tremendously due to the stocking program. Prior to the stocking program (1973-1986), the catch-per-hour (CPH) of bass was 16. Since 1990, when stockings started, the CPH increased to 253 bass per hour, but since 1998 catch rates have declined. The catch rate in 2002 was 60 bass per hour. The reduction in aquatic vegetation has had an adverse impact on the largemouth bass. However, the size structure of the bass population has improved, with 77% of the bass being over 12 inches, 62% over 15 inches, and 6% over 20 inches. The length limit is 15 inches and the daily creel limit is 6.
Saugeye :The saugeye were first introduced into Evergreen Lake in 1992 as an experiment with other Midwestern states. The saugeye are produced from female walleye and male sauger caught during a spring tournament on the Illinois River each year. The saugeye tolerates more turbid conditions and are easier to catch than walleye. The number of saugeye in the lake has increased and provides a great fishery. Saugeye will require stocking if they are to remain a part of the fishery. Evergreen Lake has the current state record saugeye and larger saugeye have been collected during surveys. The length limit is 14 inches and the daily creel limit is 6.
Muskellunge :The muskie was first stocked into the lake in 1990. The muskie population has steadily improved over the years to provide one of the best muskie populations in the area. The catch rate in fall surveys was the highest ever in 2002. As the fishery ages, the muskie fishery will start producing more legal fish. The length limit is 48 inches and the daily creel limit is 1.
Crappie : Both the white and black crappie exist in the lake. Good numbers of crappies are found in the lake. With the abundant saugeye in the lake to control crappie numbers, the crappie population should provide nice fishing. There is no size limit, but the daily creel limit is 25.
Other species of interest: channel catfish, bluegill, yellow bass, white bass and flathead catfish.
DAWSON LAKE
Dawson Lake is located in Moraine View State Recreation Area. Dawson Lake
is located about mid-way between Bloomington/Normal and Champaign/Urbana.
The lake is a fertile 158 acre lake that has a maximum depth of 28 feet
and an average depth of 10.4 feet. The overall objective of the lake is
to provide a quality panfish fishery while allowing anglers to harvest
nice predators.
Largemouth Bass:Dawson Lake provides anglers a quality bass fishery. The number of bass in the lake meets management objectives. Recruitment has been excellent in recent years and will help maintain bass numbers. An on-site rearing pond is used to stock bass in the lake in order to supplement natural reproduction. Approximately 20% of the bass collected are larger than 15 inches. With the abundant bluegill population, bass have plenty of food and are very plump.
Bluegill: The bluegill population has never produced quality-sized fish, but the fishery does offer a large number of medium-sized fish. With the increase in the number of bass in recent years, the quality of the bluegill population should increase.
Redear Sunfish : The quality of the redear sunfish population declined through the ‘90s, but the latest survey indicated good recruitment and also a strong year class of larger redear. With the increase in aquatic vegetation, the redear sunfish should be able to increase their numbers and also their size. Anglers should keep an eye out for a developing redear sunfish fishery at Dawson Lake.
Crappie: The crappie fishery was established with hybrid crappie, but in the late ‘90s black crappie were stocked. Due to the introduction of black crappie in the lake, the crappie fishery exploded. The density of crappie in the lake is extremely high. The 9-inch length limit and 15 per day creel limit was changed to a 10 per day creel limit in 2003. The increase in angler harvest should help reduce the number of crappie and also increase the average size of crappie.
Walley/Saugeye: Dawson Lake has a nice walleye fishery. The walleye fishery was added to the lake to provide another predator. The walleye fishery provides anglers a great opportunity to catch a 15 to 20 inch walleye. In 2003, the walleye stocking was switched to a saugeye stocking. The saugeye is a hybrid between a female walleye and a male sauger. The saugeye has demonstrated excellent adaptation to fertile lakes with large shallow areas. The saugeye should help reduce bluegill and crappie numbers to increase the quality of the panfish fishery.
MILLER PARK LAKE
Miller Park Lake is owned by the City of Bloomington and is located on
the Southwest edge of the City of Bloomington. The lake provides great
family fishing opportunity, including kids fishing tournaments and a spring
trout season. The beach at the lake attracts many people during the summer
months. Miller Park Lake was built in 1907 and has an average depth of
13 feet and a maximum depth of 28 feet. Common species of fish include
largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, yellow bass, and hybrid sunfish.
The lake is stocked with rainbow trout each spring.
HEYWORTH CITY LAKE
Heyworth City Lake is located 1.5 miles west of Heyworth on Route 136.
The lake is 7.0 acres and has an depth of 4.3 feet. There is no boat access,
but there are plenty of areas to fish from shore. The lake is dominated
by bluegill and common carp. There are also channel catfish, largemouth
bass, crappie, and hybrid sunfish.
HOLIDAY PARK LAKE
Holiday Park Lake is located on the Southeast edge of Bloomington. The
lake is 6 acres and has an average depth of 5 feet. The lake is dominated
by bluegill, carp, and bullheads. The lake also has channel catfish, crappie,
bass, and green sunfish. The lake has several locations for shore fishing.
Holiday Park Lake is a great lake to catch a large carp or to just wet
a line and wait for a catfish or bluegill to bite.
WHITE OAK PARK LAKE
White Oak Park Lake is located on the west edge of Bloomington. The lake
is 32 acres and has a maximum depth of 18 feet. The lake has no boat
access but has great shoreline fishing. The lake is stocked each year
with channel catfish and provides anglers a great opportunity to catch
a catfish. The lake has excellent bass and bluegill fisheries. There
are also black crappie and yellow perch in the lake. Overall, White
Oak Lake is a great urban fishery.
Vermilion County
LAKE MINGO
Lake Mingo is located at Kennekuk County Park and is owned and operated
by the Vermilion County Conservation District. The lake was built in 1980
and is located 8 miles north of Danville. Lake Mingo is 170 acres and
has a maximum depth of 38 feet and an average depth of 13.5 feet. The
lake has 5 miles of shoreline and a watershed of 11,430 acres.
The overall goal for Lake Mingo is to provide a quality largemouth bass
fishery. To reach this goal, the largemouth bass stocking program will
provide 6-9 inch bass each spring. The largemouth bass population should
provide enough predator pressure to control the gizzard shad and yellow
bass populations. The largemouth bass population should also maintain
a quality bluegill fishery. A channel catfish fishery will be maintained
through the State stocking program. Lake Mingo has good largemouth bass
and redear sunfish populations. The lake also contains bluegill, channel
catfish, crappie, yellow bass, northern pike, and muskie.
LAKE VERMILION
Lake Vermilion is owned by Consumers Illinois Water Company which supplies
the drinking and industrial water to Danville. The recreational aspects
of the lake have been leased to the Vermilion County conservation District.
The lake is located on the east edge of the City of Danville. Lake Vermilion
is 900 acres and has a maximum depth of 27 feet and an average depth of
12 feet. The overall long term lake management goal is to provide a quality
bass fishery. To maintain the quality bass fishery, the stocking of advanced
fingerlings in the spring will be continued. Lake Vermilion has good largemouth
bass and crappie fisheries. The lake also offers a good chance to catch
bluegill and channel catfish. The are numerous species in the lake and
provide anglers a wide variety to select from. The are few shore fishing
areas, but still provide anglers an opportunity to catch fish from shore.
KICKAPOO STATE PARK
Kickapoo State Park is northeast of Oakwood and is 2,842 acres and provides
221 acres of water. The park has 22 lakes ranging in size from 0.2 of
an acre to 57 acres. Anglers find excellent fishing for largemouth bass,
channel catfish, bluegill, crappie, and redear sunfish. Especially popular
are the annual spring and fall stockings of rainbow trout into Clear Lake.
There are 13 launching ramps on nine of the lakes, but there are numerous
locations to fish from shore.
District 11
LINCOLN TRAIL LAKE is located within Lincoln Trail State Park, approximately two miles south of Marshall in Clark County. The lake covers 146 surface acres with a maximum depth of 35 feet and average depth of 15.9 feet. Numerous bank fishing sites are available with many fishing piers/docks recently built. Several handicap accessible piers are present. Public boat launching facilities are available with handicap accessibility. Common species of fish include largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish. These species are readily caught with bluegill reaching lengths in excess of eight inches. White crappie, warmouth, green sunfish, and black bullhead are present in modest numbers. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
MILL CREEK LAKE is located approximately eight miles west of Marshall, in Clark County. The lake covers 811 surface acres with a maximum depth of 60 feet and average depth of 22.7 feet. Bank fishing locations and public boat launching facilities are available with an access fee assessed by the Clark County Park District (217-889-3901). Common species of fish include largemouth bass, white crappie, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish. Other species present include green sunfish, longear sunfish, yellow bullhead, and muskellunge. Bluegill and redear sunfish are abundant, although bluegill rarely exceed eight inches. Crappie, channel catfish, and largemouth are in good supply. This is a very popular largemouth bass fishing location. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
LAKE SHELBYVILLE- Located in Shelby and Moultrie Counties in east-central Illinois. This lake has a surface area of 11,100 acres, with a maximum depth of 67 feet, and an average depth of 18.9 feet. Numerous public boat launching facilities are available, with a fee assessed at U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ (217-774-3951) developed access area boat ramps, and free access on Illinois Department of Natural Resources state parks or Corp gravel boat ramps. Bank fishing opportunities are numerous. A very wide diversity of species occurs in this lake. Sunfish are common and easily caught near rock rip-rap areas. Crappie, white bass, walleye, muskellunge, and largemouth bass are in good supply. Walleye, largemouth bass, and muskellunge are stocked annually.
CHARLESTON SIDE CHANNEL LAKE is located approximately three miles southeast of Charleston, in Coles County. The lake covers 330 surface acres with a maximum depth of 16 feet and average depth of 7.7 feet. Shoreline fishing access is abundant and public boat launching facilities are available. There is a no wake regulation in effect on the entire lake. A very wide diversity of species occurs in this lake. Bluegill, green sunfish, yellow bullheads, and channel catfish are common and easily caught along the shoreline. Crappie are very abundant, resulting in slow growth rates, but are easily caught. Largemouth bass Hybrid striped bass (striper X white bass hybrids), saugeye (walleye X sauger hybrids), freshwater drum, and common carp are in moderate supply. Channel catfish, largemouth bass, saugeye, and hybrid striped bass are stocked annually.
LAKE PARADISE is located approximately four miles south of Mattoon in Coles County. The lake covers 176 surface acres with a maximum depth of 16 feet and average depth of 8.5 feet. Abundant shoreline fishing access is present and public boat launching facilities are available, but are in poor condition. Bluegill, green sunfish, white crappie, and yellow bass are abundant and easily caught. Other species present include freshwater drum, channel catfish, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, largemouth bass, and common carp.
OAKLAND CITY LAKE is located on the northeast side of Oakland in Coles County. The lake covers 23.0 surface acres with a maximum depth of 8 feet and average depth of 3.5 feet. Bank fishing access occurs on the dam and a public boat launching facility is available. Electric motors only are allowed on this lake. Bluegill, green sunfish, white crappie, yellow bass, and yellow bullhead are abundant and easily caught. Other species present include warmouth, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and common carp. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
COLES COUNTY AIRPORT LAKE is located on the south side of Coles County Airport, between Charleston and Mattoon, in Coles County. The lake covers 20.0 surface acres with a maximum depth of 7 feet and average depth of 3.5 feet. Recreational use is restricted to fishing only. Extensive bank fishing opportunities exists. No public boat launching facility is available. Aquatic plants can become abundant by early summer and interfere somewhat with fishing. Common species of fish include largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish. These species are readily caught. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
WALNUT POINT LAKEis located in Walnut Point State Park, approximately 3 miles north of Oakland in Douglas County. The lake covers 52 surface acres with a maximum depth of 32 feet and average depth of 12.5 feet. Numerous bank fishing sites are available with many fishing piers/docks recently built. Several handicap accessible piers are present. Public boat launching facilities are available with handicap accessibility. Common species of fish include largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish. These species are readily caught with bluegill reaching in excess of eight inches. Flathead catfish have also been collected recently due to illegal angler stocking. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
PARIS TWIN LAKES are located on Route 1 on the north edge of Paris in Edgar County. The two lakes have a combined surface acreage of 220 acres. Bank fishing access is abundant and public boat launching facilities are available. A very wide diversity of species occurs in this lake. Bluegill, green sunfish, longear sunfish, white crappie, and channel catfish are common and easily caught along the shoreline. Largemouth bass, black crappie, common carp, and yellow bass are in moderate supply. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
LAKE DECATUR is located in Decatur in Macon County. The lake covers 3,093 surface acres with a maximum depth of 22 feet and average depth of 6.0 feet. Numerous bank fishing opportunities exists and several public boat launching facilities are available. A very wide diversity of species occurs in this lake. Bluegill and green sunfish are common and easily caught along the shoreline. Bluegill and green sunfish in excess of eight inches have been collected in past fish population surveys. Largemouth bass, white crappie, black crappie, white bass, yellow bass, walleye, freshwater drum, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and common carp are in moderate supply. Very occasional smallmouth bass and hybrid striped bass are collected.
WYMAN LAKE is located in Wyman Park on the north side of Sullivan in Moultrie County. This large pond covers five acres and has a maximum depth of seven feet. Bank fishing is possible around the entire shoreline. A handicap accessible pier is available, although tall fencing does not make for easy access for people in wheelchairs. A wide variety of species of fish are present, with bluegill, green sunfish, and largemouth bass the most common. Channel catfish, flathead catfish, yellow bullhead, white crappie, black crappie, yellow bass, and freshwater drum have been collected. This pond is stocked each spring with harvestable sized rainbow trout which are easily caught for at least a couple of weeks after the season opener on the first Saturday in April. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
OPOSSUM POND is located at the entrance of the Opossum Creek Access Area on Lake Shelbyville in Shelby County. This pond is only 0.5 acres with a maximum depth of 10 feet. Bank fishing is possible around the entire shoreline. A large shaded handicap accessible pier is available. Fishing is only allowed by children or people who are handicapped. This pond has recently been restocked with bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
VILLA GROVE WEST POND is located on the south side of Villa Grove in Douglas County. This pond is 5.4 acres with a maximum depth of 10 feet. Bank fishing is possible around the entire shoreline. A wide variety of species of fish are present. Bluegill, redear sunfish, green sunfish, and longear sunfish are numerous. Largemouth bass, white crappie, black crappie, channel catfish, yellow bass, and common carp are present in modest numbers. This pond is stocked each fall spring with harvestable sized rainbow trout which are easily caught for at least a couple of weeks after the season opener on the third Saturday in October. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
TOLEDO RESERVOIR is located on the north side of Toledo in Cumberland County. This pond is 2.9 acres with a maximum depth of seven feet. Bank fishing is possible around the entire shoreline. Bluegill, green sunfish, largemouth bass, black crappie, channel catfish, and black bullheads are present and easily caught. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CAMPUS POND is located on the Eastern Illinois University Campus in Charleston, Coles County. This pond is 1.2 acres with a maximum depth of five feet. Bank fishing is possible around the entire shoreline. Bluegill and green sunfish are common and easily caught. Largemouth bass, channel catfish, and black bullheads are also present. This pond is stocked each spring and fall with harvestable sized rainbow trout which are easily caught for at least a couple of weeks after the season openers on the first Saturday in April and the third Saturday in October. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
TUSCOLA CITY LAKE is located in Wimple Park on the south-east side of Tuscola in Douglas County. This pond is 3.8 acres with a maximum depth of 12 feet. Bank fishing is possible around the entire shoreline. Bluegill do not get very big, but are common and easily caught. Largemouth bass, white crappie, black crappie, green sunfish, longear sunfish, channel catfish, and common carp are present in modest numbers. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
ROCK SPRINGS BIKE TRAIL POND is located in the Macon County Conservation District property, west of Decatur, in Macon County. This pond is 3.0 acres with a maximum depth of 16 feet. Bank fishing is possible around the entire shoreline, but no well developed trail exists. The site is in the process of constructing a trail and handicap accessible fishing pier. Largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish are abundant. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
ROCK SPRINGS POND is located in the Macon County Conservation district property, west of Decatur, in Macon County. This pond is 1.8 acres with a maximum depth of 15 feet. Bank fishing is possible around the entire shoreline. Largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish are abundant. This pond is stocked each spring with harvestable sized rainbow trout which are easily caught for at least a couple of weeks after the season opener on the first Saturday in April. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
RIDGE LAKE is located in Fox Ridge State Park, south of Charleston in Coles County. This large pond is 18 acres with a maximum depth of 15 feet. This is a research lake run by the Illinois Natural History Survey and is open on a seasonal basis only during certain hours and days. Bank fishing is not allowed. Jon boats are available for free use on a first come first serve basis. Reservations can be made by calling 217-345-6490. Largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish are abundant. Walleye are present as well. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
CASEY PARK POND is located in Fairview Park in the south-central part of Casey in Clark County. This pond is 2.8 acres with a maximum depth of 12 feet. Bank fishing is possible around the entire shoreline. This pond has recently been restocked with bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
DREAMLAND POND is located in Fairview Park, on the west end of Decatur in Macon County. This pond is 1.2 acres with a maximum depth of 6 feet. Bank fishing is possible around the entire shoreline. This pond is used by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Urban Fishing Program and is stocked annually with hybrid sunfish and channel catfish. Fishing is limited to children 13 and under. Bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, and channel catfish are abundant. Largemouth bass, black crappie, black bullheads, and common carp occur in modest numbers.
