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SANGCHRIS, LAKE
Lake Information
County: Christian
Acreage: 2321
Average Depth: 13.12 feet
Shoreline Length: 97.4 miles
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? Over 25hp idle only
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
Click on area names for a more detailed map.
East Arms,
East Harbor,
Ellis,
North,
Tovey,
West Hill
Maps are not intended for navigation.
There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Very Good | The channel catfish population is doing well both in quantity and quality. Fish up to 8 pounds are surveyed most years. Channel catfish collected in 2022 measured from 11 – 21” and weighed up to 3.6 lbs. Anglers can catch channel catfish in the warmer months using bottom fishing techniques near deadfalls and woody debris with cut bait, shrimp, chicken livers or night crawlers. The largest channel catfish ever collected by electrofishing measured over 27” and weighed 9 lbs. | |
Good | Site Regulation: 10" minimum length limit; 10 fish per day limit. '>Site Regulation: 10" minimum length limit; 10 fish per day limit.'> '> Lake Sangchris contains both black and white crappie. The black crappie are a strain originally brought in from Arkansas in 1985 that have a ¼” wide black stripe running from just under the chin up over the nose to the dorsal fin. They are called black-nosed or black-striped crappie by anglers. The crappie population is still developing at Lake Sangchris. The 2023 fish population survey showed increases in both black and white crappie numbers, but lower catch rates of keepers. White crappie ranged from 6 – 13.5”, and generally seem to be doing better, while black crappie ranged from just 2 inches up to 12”. The majority of the crappie collected in the 2023 fall survey measured under the 10” minimum length limit. The population structures are still not yet within management goals. Natural spawning may be more consistent now that the power plant hardly runs and water temperatures are more stable. This is especially true of the black crappie. There has been evidence of natural reproduction in the past, but it never seemed to be consistent. The daily regulation will be changing in spring of 2025 to allow the harvest of smaller individuals. Anglers can catch crappie on submerged natural and artificial structure within the entire lake with spinners, jigs and minnows year round. A 17.5”, 3.7 pound white crappie was recently brought to the biologist for weighing and identifying. Site Regulation: 10" minimum length limit; 10 fish per day limit. '>Site Regulation: 10" minimum length limit; 10 fish per day limit.'> | |
Very Good | Flathead catfish are difficult to survey, but evidence suggests angler catch rates remain high. Lake Sangchris is now almost 60 years old and is developing a reputation for producing flathead catfish weighing over 40 lbs. The largest flathead ever collected in a survey weighed 69 pounds and the largest caught by an angler weighed 81.45 pounds, which is the current state record. Flathead catfish exceeding 40 pounds are harvested every year. Only 1 flathead measuring 12” was collected during the 2022 survey, which at least shows that natural reproduction is still occurring. Anglers can catch flathead catfish using live bait such as minnows, green sunfish, shad, or crayfish around submerged logs and deadfalls in the warmer months and deep holes in the colder months. | |
Very Good | Lake Sangchris is known for its high density bass population with electrofishing surveys. We collected a total of 415 bass (104/hr) ranging from 4 – 21.5” and weighing up to 6.4 lbs. Body condition of largemouth bass seems to be more desirable than in the past, with an average relative weight of 99%, and a max of 147%! Hot water discharge into the lake has historically been thought to cause largemouth bass to burn more energy than they can consume during the hot summer months, but more stable water temperatures may be easing some thermal stress. Gizzard shad have exhibited erratic spawns in Lake Sangchris in the past and threadfin shad have died off due to colder winter water temps. Anglers can catch largemouth bass on points, deadfalls, and stickups within the entire lake year round with plastic worms, jigs, spinners, crank baits, minnows, crayfish and worms. The largest bass ever collected by electrofishing measured 22” long and weighed over 7.25 lbs! Site Regulation: 15" minimum length limit; 3 fish per day limit. | |
Very Good | Pure striped bass are non-native and have been stocked into Lake Sangchris since 1983 when available. The striped bass stocking program has produced some great fishing opportunities. Past surveys have shown that the lake has not produced many fish over 20 pounds, but there is still a decent density of striped bass up to 15 pounds, and recently several pushing 30 have been caught. Anglers can catch stripers near “striper point” located in the northern portion of the lake in the warmer months and in the hot water middle arm of the lake when water is being discharged in the winter. Anglers can catch stripers using large spinnerbaits, crankbaits, spoons, jigs, crayfish or large minnows. The current state record of 31 pounds 7 ounces was caught at Lake Sangchris! Site Regulation: No limit under 17; 3 fish a day over 17" limit. | |
Location: Sangchris Lake is located 20 miles southeast of Springfield off of IL Route 104, 7 miles north of Bulpitt.
Description: Sangchris Lake is 2325 acres. The lake was developed as a result of damming Clear Creek in 1964. The Division of Fisheries has been involved in the management of this lake from its beginning in 1965. It was owned by Commonwealth Edison and served as a cooling lake for their coal-fired power plant. The fish community is therefore highly dependent on power plant operation. Commonwealth Edison sold the plant to the current owner, Dominion Power, in the early 2000s. The maximum depth in the lake is approximately 38 feet with and average depth of approximately 13 feet. Sangchris Lake has three boat access points; one on each arm.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The lake boasts 100 miles of shoreline and is characterized by a west and middle arm cooling loop and an east ambient arm. The east arm receives much of the water within the watershed, and therefore suffers from siltation. Much of the shoreline and cove habitat was once composed of dense beds of water lily and submersed aquatic vegetation. Those communities have recently collapsed and no cause has been determined at this point. A total of 26 fish species have been collected in Sangchris Lake since 1982. While their numbers and potential for successful angling are low, anglers may catch bluegill, green sunfish, green sunfish x bluegill hybrid, freshwater drum, white bass, or yellow bass.
Additional Lake Information: Sangchris Lake has three boat access points; one on each arm. Rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and boats with motors 25 horsepower or less are welcome. A motor greater than 25 horsepower may be used, however it must only be run at idle speed. Motors of any size may be used to load or unload from the trailer. Sailboats are not permitted. The West Boat Ramp opened in the fall of 2014. Improvements include: a new boat ramp that extends further in the water for safer boat launching, larger parking lot, new access road, and handicap-accessible sidewalks and parking.
Two pole and line fishing only. No commercial devices, such as trot lines, jugs, or bank poles, are allowed. Archery fishing is allowed for rough fish, but not within 200 yards of a developed area, such as a campground.
In August 2017, fish habitat structures were deployed into Sangchris Lake. See the map here: Fish Structures Location Map.
Site Regulations:
Largemouth bass: 15" minimum length limit; 3 fish per day limit
Crappie: 10" minimum length limit; 10 fish per day limit
Striped bass: No limit under 17; 3 fish a day over 17" limit
Contact Information: Site Staff 217-498-9208IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Tad Locher217-720-0235
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.
2024–2025 Approved or Pending Tournaments | ||||||||
Start Date | ID | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? | Open to Public? |
March-09 | 27311 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 35 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
March-23 | 27414 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 35 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
March-29 | 27358 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
March-30 | 27461 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 15 | Crappie | No | Yes |
April-05 | 27221 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 60 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
April-06 | 27406 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 35 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
April-06 | 27613 | Approved | West Boat Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
April-12 | 27262 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 25 | Crappie | No | Yes |
April-13 | 27686 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
April-19 | 27751 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 50 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
April-27 | 27372 | Approved | West Boat Ramp | boathook | 22 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
April-27 | 27611 | Pending | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
May-04 | 27889 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
May-18 | 27399 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 35 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
May-25*May-26 | 27463 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 35 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
May-31*June-01 | 27252 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
May-31 | 27640 | Pending | West Boat Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-07 | 27382 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass | No | No |
June-08 | 27392 | Pending | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 35 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-08 | 28089 | Pending | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | No |
June-14 | 27417 | Pending | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
June-14 | 27565 | Pending | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 25 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-21 | 28002 | Approved | West Boat Ramp | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass | No | No |
June-21 | 28092 | Pending | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 50 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-22 | 27492 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 35 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-22 | 27668 | Pending | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 50 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-28 | 27430 | Pending | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
June-28 | 28141 | Pending | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 50 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-29 | 27637 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-29 | 28140 | Pending | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 50 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
July-12 | 27799 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
July-13 | 27448 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 35 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
July-26 | 27641 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-03 | 27725 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-10 | 27457 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 35 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
August-23 | 27682 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-24 | 27685 | Approved | West Boat Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-06 | 27222 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 60 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
September-07 | 27425 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 35 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-13 | 27384 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-20*September-21 | 27366 | Approved | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 35 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-21 | 27890 | Pending | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
September-28 | 27612 | Approved | West Boat Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
October-03 | 27655 | Pending | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
October-26 | 27388 | Pending | East Boat Ramp | boathook | 75 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | Yes |