Lake Profile -- CLINTON LAKE

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CLINTON LAKE

Lake Information

County: DeWitt

Acreage: 4895

Average Depth: 14.99 feet

Shoreline Length: 129.9 miles

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? Unrestricted

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? Yes

Skiing? Yes

Swimming? Yes

Picnicking? Yes

Camping? Yes

    Click on area names for a more detailed map.
     Dam, DeWitt Bridge, Marina, Mascoutin State Park, North Fork,
     Parnell Access, Rt. 10 Shore, Weldon Access, West Side,
     Wetland Area

Maps are not intended for navigation.

There are no zebra mussels in this lake.

Fish Stocking
Year	Species	Size	Count
2021	Blue Catfish	Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"	48950
2021	Blue Catfish	Non-vulnerable 8 - 10"	2975
2021	Largemouth Bass	Fry	507940
2021	Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)	Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"	19540
2021	Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)	Fingerling 1 - 3"	92007
2021	Walleye	Fingerling 1 - 3"	227571
2021	White Crappie	Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"	2430
2021	White Crappie	Fingerling 1 - 3"	31059
2022	Blacknose Crappie	Fingerling 1 - 3"	20235
2022	Blue Catfish	Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"	48950
2022	Largemouth Bass	Fry	564750
2022	Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)	Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"	17914
2022	Walleye	Fingerling 1 - 3"	212015

Additional information for stocking on Clinton Lake

Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species	Rank	Fish Status
BLUE CATFISH	Average	A catfish survey was conducted in the fall of 2018 to assess the stocking of blue catfish. Blue catfish ranged in size from 9 inches to 29 inches. Blue catfish have been stocked at a low rate into Clinton Lake since 2014. See site regulation below.
CRAPPIE	Excellent	During the most recent survey, the catch rate for black crappie was 10.6 black crappie per hour and the catch rate for blacknose crappie was 5.1 per hour. The white crappie catch rate went from 3.1 per hour in 2011 to 62.7 crappie per hour in 2018. In 2022, the catch rate was 46.3 crappie per hour. The catch rate objective is 25 per hour for white crappie and 15 per hour for black crappie and blacknose crappie. Approximately 21% of the white crappie were longer than 10 inches and 49% of the black crappie were longer than 10 inches. Clinton Lake is producing a high-density crappie fishery. See site regulation below.
HYBRID STRIPED BASS (WIPERS)	Good	Hybrid striped bass were first stocked in Clinton Lake in 1978. During the last spring gill netting survey, hybrid striped bass were collected at a rate of 2.4 per net. The average catch rate is 17.2 hybrids per net. The hybrid striped bass ranged in size from 14.5 inches to 27 inches. The heaviest hybrid weighed 13.84 pounds and the average weight was 5.54 pounds. Clinton Lake has a good hybrid striped bass fishery and is maintained by annual stockings. See site regulation below.
LARGEMOUTH BASS	Excellent	The most recent survey resulted in a catch rate of 117.4 bass per hour and was above the management objective of 80 bass per hour. The average catch rate since 2011 is 91.6 bass per hour. The largest bass collected during the 2022 survey weighed 5.98 pounds. There are good numbers of quality bass in the lake, with 64% being over 12 inches in length and 29% over 15 inches. Clinton Lake has an excellent bass population. See site regulation below.
WALLEYE	Good	The catch rate for walleye during the most recent survey was 9.1 walleye per hour. The average catch rate since 2011 is 5.3 walleye per hour. Of the walleye collected over 10 inches, 74% were longer than 15 inches and 15% were longer than 20 inches. The fishery is maintained from annual stockings. Site Regulation: 3 fish daily limit, 18" length limit.
WHITE BASS	Fair	There were strong year classes in 2011, 2014, 2015, and 2019, which produced a great white bass fishery. Even though there have been recent strong year classes, the catch rate in the most recent survey was only 6.3 white bass per hour. The average catch rate is 13.5 white bass per hour.See site regulation below.

Location: Clinton Lake is located in DeWitt County 10 miles east of Clinton, IL.

Description: This 4,895 acre lake was constructed to serve as a cooling reservoir for the Clinton Nuclear Power Station. The lake has a maximum depth of 60 feet and an average depth of 15 feet. Clinton Lake is No Wake for all boats from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise with the exception of waterfowl hunters. Various portions of the lake are designated as no-wake, electric motor only, or no boat areas for safety and security reasons. All IDNR ramps are now equipped with wheelchair accessible boat docks. There are 17 Class AA campsites, 286 Class A campsites and 5 Class B/S campsites at Clinton Lake with showers and almost all are adaptable to either tents, trailers or motor homes. Click here to reserve a campsite. Bowfishing is allowed on certain areas of the lake.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The IDNR Division of Fisheries has been active in the management of the fisheries in Clinton Lake since the lake opened in 1979. The lake receives stockings of walleye, hybrid striped bass, blue catfish, and crappie.

Additional Lake Information: Bowfishing is allowed on certain areas of the lake. All IDNR ramps are now equipped with wheelchair accessible boat docks.

Site Regulations:
Largmouth/Smallmouth Bass; 3 fish daily limit, 16" length limit
Walleye: 3 fish daily limit, 18" length limit
Channel Catfish/Blue Catfish: 10 fish daily limit, no length limit
Hybrid Striped/White/Striped Bass: 10 fish daily limit, only 3 fish over 17"
Crappie: 15 fish daily limit, no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10" and 5 less than 10"

Contact Information:
Site Office
217-935-8722
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Mike Garthaus
217-784-4730

There were 68 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2022.

Species	Total Fish Caught
Blue Catfish	122
Channel Catfish	213
Crappie	374
Largemouth Bass	2165

Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:

1 7.50 lbs

2 7.31 lbs

3 7.25 lbs

4 6.81 lbs

5 6.62 lbs

Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:

1	409.50 lbs
2	392.13 lbs
3	386.43 lbs
4	351.48 lbs
5	296.77 lbs

Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.

Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.

2023 – 2024 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date	ID	Approval	Ramp Location	Bank/Boat Hook/Bow	Max Boats	Species	Youth?	Open to Public?
March-23	25710	Approved	Mascoutin State Park	boat hook	20	Crappie	No	Yes
March-24	25348	Approved	West Side	boat hook	10	Largemouth Bass	No	No
March-30	25468	Approved	Marina	boat hook	19	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
April-06	24993	Approved	Marina	boat hook	20	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
April-06	25026	Approved	Marina	boat hook	40	Largemouth Bass	No	No
April-06	25182	Pending	Marina	boat hook	60	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	Yes	Yes
April-06	26085	Pending	Marina	boat hook	45	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	Yes	Yes
April-07	24988	Approved	Marina	boat hook	80	Largemouth Bass	Yes	Yes
April-13	25004	Approved	Marina	boat hook	20	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
April-13	25011	Approved	Marina	boat hook	60	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	Yes	Yes
April-13 *April-14	26199	Pending	Weldon Access	boat hook	15	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	No
April-14	25032	Approved	Marina	boat hook	80	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	Yes
April-20 *April-21	25241	Approved	Marina	boat hook	20	Largemouth Bass	No	No
April-20	25540	Approved	Marina	boat hook	40	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	Yes
April-21	25832	Approved	Marina	boat hook	15	Largemouth Bass	No	No
April-21	26162	Approved	Marina	boat hook	16	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	No
April-25 *April-26	25242	Approved	Marina	boat hook	30	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	No
April-27	25198	Approved	Marina	boat hook	15	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	No
April-27	25505	Approved	Marina	boat hook	20	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	No
April-28	26091	Approved	Marina	boat hook	75	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	Yes	Yes
May-04	25014	Approved	Marina	boat hook	50	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	Yes
May-04 *May-05	25324	Approved	Marina	boat hook	20	Largemouth Bass	No	No
May-05	25934	Approved	Marina	boat hook	30	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
May-05	26196	Approved	Marina	boat hook	50	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
May-11	25055	Approved	Marina	boat hook	40	Largemouth Bass	No	No
May-11	25129	Approved	Marina	boat hook	30	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
May-12	26075	Approved	Marina	boat hook	40	Largemouth Bass	Yes	Yes
May-18	25485	Approved	Marina	boat hook	19	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
May-18	25754	Approved	West Side	boat hook	15	Largemouth Bass	No	No
May-18 *May-19	25962	Approved	Marina	boat hook	20	Largemouth Bass	No	No
May-19	25830	Approved	Marina	boat hook	15	Largemouth Bass	No	No
May-25	25525	Approved	Weldon Access	boat hook	25	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	No
June-02	25935	Approved	Marina	boat hook	50	Blue Catfish Channel Catfish Flathead Catfish	No	Yes
June-08	25493	Approved	Marina	boat hook	19	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
June-09	25650	Approved	Marina	boat hook	15	Largemouth Bass	No	No
June-09	25922	Approved	Marina	boat hook	40	Largemouth Bass	No	No
June-16	26076	Approved	Marina	boat hook	30	Largemouth Bass	Yes	Yes
June-22	25076	Approved	Marina	boat hook	40	Largemouth Bass	No	No
June-22 *June-23	26204	Pending	Marina	boat hook	20	Largemouth Bass	No	No
June-25	25966	Approved	Marina	boat hook	20	Largemouth Bass	No	No
June-29	25496	Approved	Marina	boat hook	19	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
June-29 *June-30	26205	Pending	Marina	boat hook	20	Largemouth Bass	No	No
July-07	25478	Approved	Marina	boat hook	15	Largemouth Bass	No	No
July-13	25501	Approved	Marina	boat hook	19	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
July-14	26077	Approved	Marina	boat hook	30	Largemouth Bass	Yes	Yes
July-16	25967	Approved	Marina	boat hook	20	Largemouth Bass	No	No
July-20	25098	Approved	Marina	boat hook	40	Largemouth Bass	No	No
July-27	25503	Approved	Marina	boat hook	19	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
August-03	25504	Approved	Marina	boat hook	19	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
August-11	26078	Approved	Marina	boat hook	30	Largemouth Bass	Yes	Yes
August-17	25506	Approved	Marina	boat hook	19	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
August-18	25538	Approved	Marina	boat hook	50	Largemouth Bass	No	No
August-18	25828	Approved	Marina	boat hook	15	Largemouth Bass	No	No
August-24	25113	Approved	Marina	boat hook	40	Largemouth Bass	No	No
August-27	25968	Approved	Marina	boat hook	20	Largemouth Bass	No	No
September-07 *September-08	25091	Approved	Marina	boat hook	75	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	No
September-08	25794	Pending	Marina	boat hook	15	Largemouth Bass	No	No
September-14	25160	Approved	Marina	boat hook	40	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	No
September-14 *September-15	25419	Approved	Marina	boat hook	20	Largemouth Bass	No	No
September-21	25507	Approved	Marina	boat hook	20	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	No
September-21	25509	Approved	Marina	boat hook	19	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
September-22	25179	Approved	Marina	boat hook	70	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	Yes
September-22	25219	Pending	Marina	boat hook	80	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	Yes	Yes
September-28	25510	Approved	Marina	boat hook	19	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
September-29	25008	Approved	Marina	boat hook	80	Largemouth Bass	Yes	Yes
October-05	25201	Approved	Marina	boat hook	40	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	No
October-12 *October-13	25513	Approved	Marina	boat hook	19	Largemouth Bass	No	Yes
October-12	25711	Approved	Mascoutin State Park	boat hook	20	Crappie	No	Yes
October-12	26047	Approved	Mascoutin State Park	boat hook	20	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	Yes
October-19 *October-20	25297	Approved	Marina	boat hook	40	Largemouth Bass	No	No
October-19	26025	Approved	Marina	boat hook	40	Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass	No	Yes
November-02	25801	Approved	Mascoutin State Park	boat hook	35	Largemouth Bass	No	No

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CLINTON LAKE

Lake Information

Recreational Amenities

Maps are not intended for navigation.

There are no zebra mussels in this lake.

Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

Species

Rank

Fish Status

There were 68 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2022.

Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:

Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments: