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PITTSFIELD LAKE


Lake Information

County: Pike

Acreage: 241

Average Depth: 11.97 feet

Shoreline Length: 7.6 miles

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? No HP Limit, No Wake Only

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? No

Swimming? No

Picnicking? Yes

Camping? Yes

larger map link Dam Camping


    Click on area names for a more detailed map.
    Camping, Dam

Maps are not intended for navigation.


There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2022

Largemouth Bass

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

534

2022

Muskellunge

Adult

310

2022

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

8670

2023

Muskellunge

Adult

247

2023

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

5615


Additional information for stocking on Pittsfield Lake


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

CHANNEL CATFISH

Good

Channel Catfish stocking was implemented in 2019 to compensate for poor reproduction and recruitment of Channel Catfish in Pittsfield Lake. Recent trap net and electrofishing surveys showed a lack of Channel Catfish below 24”, indicating poor recruitment into the population. The 2020 fall electrofishing survey produced 3 Channel Catfish ranging from 10.0-13.8”. Anecdotal reports from anglers indicate that the Channel Catfish stockings have been successful. Pittsfield Lake will continue to receive non-vulnerable sized 8-10” Channel Catfish to supplement the population, if hatchery production allows.

CRAPPIE

Good

White Crappie are the dominant crappie species in Pittsfield Lake, which is common in a turbid lake, but a fair amount of Black Crappie are present. A higher abundance of crappie were collected during the fall 2020 trap net survey compared to the fall electrofishing survey. The fall trap netting survey yielded 159 White Crappie and 53 Black Crappie, collectively ranging from 4.7-11.7”. There are no Minimum Length Limits or Daily Harvest Limits for crappie species at Pittsfield Lake.

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Excellent

One Flathead Catfish was collected during a supplemental Low-Pulse Electrofishing Run. It measured 12.9”.

HYBRID STRIPED BASS (WIPERS)

Excellent

No Hybrid Striped Bass were collected during 2020 fish population surveys; however previous surveys suggest that the population is doing well. In 2016, 38 Hybrid Striped Bass were collected in spring trap net surveys and 19 in the fall electrofishing surveys. Fish ranged from 17-28” and weighed up to 12.6 lbs. These fish were in excellent body condition. Hybrid Striped Bass are stocked annually when hatchery production allows.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

In 2020, we collected 49 Largemouth Bass per hour of electrofishing, falling under the management goal of 60 bass/hr. Bass ranged from 2.8-19.9” and weighed up to 4.8 lbs. The population structure is good with 47.5% of catchable Largemouth Bass measuring over the 14” minimum length limit and 2.5% measuring over 18”. Largemouth Bass body condition was good and within management goals (Wr = 95.4). 1,260 5.3-6.8” Largemouth Bass were stocked from an on-site rearing pond on October 16, 2020.

MUSKELLUNGE

Developing

Muskellunge stocking began in 2019 and will continue as this fishery develops and is further evaluated.

WALLEYE

Very Good

14,770 1.4” Walleye were stocked on June 5, 2020. During the fall 2020 electrofishing survey, 4 Walleye were collected and ranged from 21.8-25.2” and weighed up to 6.1lbs. Walleye will continue to be requested from the State hatchery annually to augment the existing Walleye fishery in Pittsfield Lake.

Location: Lake Pittsfield is located in Pike County in West-Central Illinois between Pittsfield and Griggsville south of Interstate 72 and east of Route 107.

Description: Pittsfield Lake was constructed by the City of Pittsfield in 1960 as a flood control impoundment. It was subsequently used as the source of drinking water for the city. No longer used as a water source, Pittsfield Lake attracts many anglers and campers to its rural setting. The lake has a maximum depth of 34 ft, average depth of 12 ft, and shoreline length of 5.2 miles. The western shoreline of the lake is predominately steep-sided and does not provide much bank angling access. The eastern shoreline is comprised of shallow flats, and rip-rap shoreline, with fallen trees and submerged stumps found throughout the lake.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Pittsfield Lake was first stocked with Largemouth Bass in 1961. It was opened to fishing in the spring of 1962.

Other species present in this lake include Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Grass Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead.

Additional Lake Information: The lake offers two boat launches, camping and picnicking. A boat permit and launch fee are required (Pittsfield City Hall 217-285-4484). The lake is no wake.

2 pole and line fishing only – sport anglers can harvest carp, buffalo, suckers and gar by bow and
arrow devices, gigs or spears during May and June.

Site Regulations:
Two pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached while fishing.
Sport fisherman may harvest carp, buffalo, suckers and gar by bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears during May and June
Largemouth Bass – 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit, 14” Minimum Length Limit
Hybrid Striped Bass – 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit, 17” Minimum Length Limit
Channel Catfish – 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit, No Minimum Length Limit
Walleye – 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit, 14” Minimum Length Limit
Muskellunge – 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit, 36” Minimum Length Limit

Effective April 21,2020
Fishing Tournaments held on Pittsfield City Lake require a $30.00 Tournament Permit issued by, Pittsfield City Hall, at least 5 days before the scheduled event. This replaces the previous individual launch fee for the day of the event only. Pre-fishing the lake prior to the scheduled event will require the daily launch fee or an annual lake permit.
Email: eknight@pittsfieldil.org or Email: amoffit@pittsfieldil.org

Contact Information:
City of Pittsfield
Pittsfield City Hall, 215 North Monroe, Pittsfield, Il. 62363
217-285-4484
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Blake Ruebush
217-622-7219

There were 9 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2023.

Species Total Fish Caught
Largemouth Bass 215

Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:

1     7.56 lbs
2     6.92 lbs
3     5.81 lbs
4     5.06 lbs
5     4.88 lbs

Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:

1 94.06 lbs
2 81.25 lbs
3 78.88 lbs
4 68.13 lbs
5 66.31 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.

2024 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date ID Approval Ramp Location Bank/Boat
Hook/Bow
Max Boats Species Youth? Open to Public?
April-1326211ApprovedRamp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
YesNo
April-2824994ApprovedRamp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo
May-0525779ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-2725791ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo