Paradise, Lake
Info / Coles County
Family Friendly
No
Handicap Access
No
Boat Fishing
Yes - No wake only
Boat Ramps
Yes
Boat Rentals
No
Camping
No
Picnicking
Yes - More Info
Skiing
No
Swimming
No
Trout Stocking
No
Zebra Mussels
None
Location 138 acres
Fishing Outlook
Channel Catfish
Excellent
Channel Catfish are highly abundant in the lake, largely due to annual stockings from IDNR hatcheries. Channel Catfish spawning boxes have been added to the lake, as part of a collaborative research project with EIU, in an effort to increase natural reproduction and reduce the reliance on annual stockings. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit; no minimum length limit.
White Crappie
Average
White Crappie are abundant. Growth rates vary from slow to fast within the population. Anglers may catch crappie up to 12 inches and 0.75+ lbs., but the population is dominated by smaller, slower growing fish.
Largemouth Bass
Good
Largemouth Bass are low to moderate in abundance due to a lack of aquatic vegetation for nursery habitat. Most bass are 12-15", however larger fish are also present at lower densities.
Freshwater Drum
Fair
Freshwater Drum are moderately abundant with most fish between 12-15 inches.
Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)
Good
Saugeye are abundant from 12 to 22 inches, with a few larger fish observed on occasion.
Bluegill
Fair
Bluegill fishing is poor-fair. They are abundant, but few fish exceed 7 inches.
Common Carp
Good
Common Carp are abundant with fish exceeding 10 lbs.
Flathead Catfish
Poor
Flathead Catfish are low in abundance.
| 2026 | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 8820 |
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 6640 |
| 2025 | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 9275 |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | Adult | 3984 |
Contact
General Inquiries
217-254-6680
Description
The lake covers 210 surface acres with a maximum depth of 16 feet and average depth of 8.5 feet. A public boat launch is available at the northeast end of the lake. The Lake Mattoon Marina (217-254-6680) collects a boating access fee which covers Lake Paradise and Lake Mattoon. Recreational opportunities include fishing and limited boating. There is a no-wake regulation in effect on Lake Paradise. Be sure to follow navigational aids when driving to the south end of the lake, as the buoys mark the area where it is safer to pass the old dam structure. All tournaments must be registered through ifishillinois.org.Fishery History
IDNR surveys the fisheries on a regular basis, including periodic species-specific surveys. Aquatic vegetation plantings have occurred on the lake in an attempt to create habitat and improve water quality, however their success has been limited by turbidity, runoff, and common carp. Channel Catfish spawning boxes have been added to the lake as part of a collaborative project with EIU in an attempt to improve natural recruitment of Channel Catfish, which currently rely on stocking to maintain their numbers. Lake Paradise is annually stocked with Saugeye (Walleye x Sauger hybrids) and Channel Catfish by IDNR hatcheries.Site Regulations
Launching and boating on Lake Paradise requires a boating access fee that can be paid at Lake Mattoon Marina (217-254-6680). The fee covers boating on Lake Mattoon, as well. There is a no-wake regulation in effect on the entire lake. All tournaments must be registered through ifishillinois.org.
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations:
- All Fish: 2 pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached while fishing
- Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 20 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 3 fish greater than or equal to 8 inches
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Walleye, Sauger, or Walleye Hybrid (Saugeye): 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit (statewide regulation)