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HOMER LAKE (CCFPD)
Lake Information
County: Champaign
Acreage: 81
Average Depth: 8.07 feet
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? Electric only
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? No
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There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2021 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
1605 |
2021 |
Redear Sunfish |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
17049 |
2021 |
Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
13846 |
2022 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
1605 |
2022 |
Redear Sunfish |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
20163 |
2022 |
Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
8742 |
Additional information for stocking on Homer Lake - CCFPD
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Developing | Black crappie numbers have increased the past few years and were collected at a rate of 30.7 per hour in 2019. The black crappie fishery is relatively young and none were over 10 inches. | |
Average | Homer Lake has a large population of bluegill, but the average size is small. Anglers have a great opportunity to catch a bluegill, but may struggle to catch bluegill larger than 8 inches. Approximately 22% of the bluegill collected in the most recent fish survey were over 6 inches, but none were longer than 8 inches. | |
Excellent | The State Hatchery System stocks 8-inch channel catfish into Homer Lake each year. This stocking program has produced an excellent catfish fishery. Catch rates of catfish fluctuate from survey to survey, but catch rates of anglers are consistently good. Based on data from fish surveys, the catfish are very plump. The catfish average in size from 11 inches to 24 inches. | |
Excellent | During the most recent fish survey, 133.3 bass per hour were collected using DC electrofishing. The average catch rate since 2011 is 125.3 bass per hour. The largest bass collected weighed 6.8 pounds. Based on bass collected that were larger than 8 inches, 70% were larger than 12 inches, and 36% were larger than 15 inches. Homer Lake has an excellent bass fishery. | |
Good | Saugeye were first stocked into Homer Lake in 2016. In 2017, the catch rate for saugeye was 6.7 per hour and did not meet the management objective of 10 per hour. The statewide management objective for walleye/saugeye fisheries is 5 per hour. No saugeye were collected during the May 2019 survey. In the fall of 2019, a night survey was completed to collect saugeye and were collected at a rate of 14 per hour and ranged in length from 7 inches to 21.5 inches. | |
Poor | During the most recent fish survey, the catch rate of white crappie dropped to only 4 per hour. The management objective is 25 to 50 white crappie per hour. The average catch rate since 2011 is 61.7 white crappie per hour. There is no crappie regulation at Homer Lake. | |
Location: Homer Lake is part of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD) and is located 2 miles Northwest of Homer and 15 miles Southeast of Champaign.
Description: Homer Lake is 80.8 acres and was built in 1969. The lake has a maximum depth of 24 feet and an average depth of 8.4 feet. There are two boat ramps. More information about the Homer Lake Forest Preserve can be found at the CCFPD web page .
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The IDNR Division of Fisheries has been active in the management of the fisheries in Homer Lake since the lake was constructed in 1969. The lake receives stockings of channel catfish.
Additional Lake Information: 2 pole and line fishing only. Electric motor only.
Site Regulations:
Largemouth Bass: 14" Length limit, 6 fish daily limit
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit
Saugeye: 14" Length limit, 6 fish daily limit
Contact Information: Champaign County Forest PreserveHomer Lake and general park information: 217-896-2733IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Mike Garthaus217-784-4730
There were 1 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2022.
| Species | Total Fish Caught |
| Largemouth Bass | 2 |
Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:
| 1 4.00 lbs | 2 1.44 lbs |
Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:
| 1 | 5.44 lbs |
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