Pana Lake
Info / Shelby County
Family Friendly
No
Handicap Access
No
Boat Fishing
Yes
Boat Ramps
Yes
Boat Rentals
No
Camping
No
Picnicking
Yes - More Info
Skiing
No
Swimming
No
Trout Stocking
No
Zebra Mussels
None
Location 205 acres
Fishing Outlook
Channel Catfish
Very Good
Channel Catfish are very abundant, thanks in large part to annual stockings from IDNR hatcheries. Many channel catfish are in the 15-20" range, however larger fish are observed on occasion.
Largemouth Bass
Average
Largemouth Bass abundance is lower than desired, likely due to the limited amount of aquatic vegetation in the lake. Body condition is also slightly lower than desired, however bass from 15-18"+ are present.
Muskellunge
Excellent
Muskellunge abundance and growth are both great, providing a high quality muskie fishery with good catch rates and trophy catch potential. Muskie are stocked annually by IDNR hatcheries.
Common Carp
Average
Common Carp are abundant with fish exceeding 14 lbs.
Bluegill
Poor
Few fish exceed 6 inches.
Flathead Catfish
Good
Flathead Catfish are fairly abundant. Many young Flathead Catfish are collected in surveys, indicating natural recruitment is successful, with 30-40" fish observed in recent surveys.
Crappie spp.
Very Good
Both Black Crappie and White Crappie are present, though the latter are far more abundant. Crappie abundance and growth are good, with 13"+ white crappie observed in recent surveys.
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | NonVulnerable (8 - 10") | 5600 |
| 2025 | Muskellunge | Adult | 158 |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 3360 |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | Adult | 152 |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | Adult | 150 |
Contact
217-562-3626
Description
Two lakes combine to cover 219 surface acres and consist of a separate older upper lake (69 acres) and newer lower lake (144 acres). The maximum depth is 36 feet with an average depth of 13.7 feet. A public boat launch is available only on the lower lake. The City of Pana (217-562-3626) collects a boating access fee. All tournaments must be scheduled through ifishillinois.org.Fishery History
Fish populations are surveyed by IDNR biologists on a regular basis, including periodic species-specific surveys. Channel Catfish and Muskie are stocked annually by IDNR hatcheries.Site Regulations
The City of Pana (217-562-3626) collects a boating access fee. All tournaments must be scheduled online through ifishillinios.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
- All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Muskie: 48 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Additional Information
Planning to eat your catch? Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory PageBath Map
