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LOU YAEGER LAKE
Lake Information
County: Montgomery
Acreage: 1268
Average Depth: 10.01 feet
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? Unrestricted
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? Yes
Swimming? Yes
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2021 |
Largemouth Bass |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
1839 |
2021 |
Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
17301 |
2022 |
Largemouth Bass |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
19649 |
Additional information for stocking on Lou Yeager, Lake
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Good | For an impoundment of this size and considering competition with younger Bluegill from Gizzard Shad, this fish group does fairly well. We saw good numbers of bluegill in the 6” to 7” range, and collected this species up to 7.4” in total length. Usually under these conditions, bluegill struggle to attain 6”. If the predator base strengthens, this fishery could improve even more over time. | |
Very Good | In 2015, we did quite well collecting this species as opposed to 2012. Channel catfish were caught ranging from 8” to 26.2” in total length, and topping the scale at 8.6 lbs. Natural reproduction is occurring in this lake, which should ensure decent fishing into the future. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily creel limit. | |
Developing | Lake Lou Yaeger has a weak largemouth bass population. Numbers are subpar, yet size structure is fairly solid. Our last (2015) sample showed most bass resided in the 10” to 17” length range. The largest bass measured 22”, and topped the scale at 6.2 lbs. The City of Litchfield continues to stock this fish group on an annual basis. If this program remains, this fishery should benefit down the road. If fish are available, 4” largemouth bass will be stocked in Lake Lou Yaeger in 2016 via IDNR. Site Regulation: 15” minimum length limit; 3 fish per day creel limit. | |
Very Good | White Crappie are doing fairly well in Lake Lou Yaeger. The majority of individuals collected were in the 6” to 11” category. The largest Crappie captured was 13.2”, and weighed 1.1 lbs. Densities are high, and it looks as though this group is rebuilding as smaller fish increase/larger fish decrease in numbers. Continued harvest by the angler should reduce competition and allow smaller fish to move up through the length range rather quickly. | |
Location: Resides nearly 1 mile northeast of Litchfield, IL. in Montgomery County.
Description: Lake Lou Yaeger was created by damming the West Fork of Shoal Creek. The lake was constructed in 1964, and completely filled during May of 1966. The predominant uses are boating recreation, sport fishing, and flood control. Lake Lou Yaeger has no horsepower motor limit. There is a boat ramp on the southwest shore. Restrooms, camping, and picnicking are all available on site.
Lake information: 1,269 acres; shoreline length 24.9 miles; watershed 74,550; maximum depth 31 feet; average depth 10 feet.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Approximately 15 fish groups swim in this shallow, fertile water body. At this time, no species are being stocked by IDNR on an annual basis. A rearing pond for Largemouth Bass is functional on City property. The City does stock 5” to 8” Largemouth annually in an effort to maintain the predator base.
Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line fishing only.
Contact Information: City of Litchfield 217-324-5253 IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Tad Locher217-720-0235
There were 3 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2022.
| Species | Total Fish Caught |
| Largemouth Bass | 31 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 2 |
Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:
| 1 5.12 lbs | 2 3.48 lbs | 3 3.38 lbs | 4 3.33 lbs | 5 3.25 lbs |
Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:
| 1 | 41.16 lbs |
| 2 | 25.13 lbs |
| 3 | 18.93 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? |
| July-14 | 25563 | Approved | South Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| September-01 | 25342 | Approved | North Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
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