Spring Lake (North)
Location 465 acres
Fishing Outlook
Redear Sunfish
Improving
The Redear Sunfish population was evaluated by 504 stock size fish from the 2024 surveys. The population indices show 88.4% of the fish collected were over 7 inches and a body condition value of 107. This population had been improving over the last few years.
Crappie spp.
Good
The black crappie population was evaluated by 112 stock size fish from the 2024 surveys. The indices showed 3.6 percent of the fish were over 10 inches and the body condition of 89. In 2018 a new harvest regulation started for crappie. This regulation is a harvest limit of 25 fish per day with only 10 fish over 10 inches allowed. This regulation will allow harvest pressure on the large percentage of crappie that are under 9 inches in length.
Channel Catfish
Excellent
An excellent population of catchable-sized Channel Catfish from 10 - 22 inches is found at North Spring Lake. Best fishing for these fish is found along the Northwest levee and on the outside of the aquatic vegetation beds. Best fishing for Channel Catfish is at night from May through July. The 2024 surveys collected 44 Channel Catfish ranging from 10 to 24 inches in good body condition. Annual stockings will continue to be made.
Muskellunge
Excellent
The 2024 spring musky survey yielded 71 fish, for a total of 0.3 fish per net-night. 14.7% of fish captured were greater or equal to 38”, with 1.5% of those being greater than 42”. The largest fish was a 44” female. Female to male ratio was 38% female: 56% male and 6% immature.
Largemouth Bass
Good
The 2024 surveys show the Largemouth Bass population indices at 59% being over 12 inches, and 10.2% of the population being above 15 inches. This could be attributed to the good year classes of bass that have been produced at North Spring Lake the past few years moving up into these size classes along with the protected slot limit. The body condition was good with an average value of 91. In 2018 a new harvest regulation went into effect for Largemouth Bass. The regulation is a protected slot from 12 to 18 inches with 3 fish per day harvest. This is an attempt to restructure to bass population to a larger percent of fish over 16 inches. Growth and condition have been tremendously impacted by the dense growth of Eurasian milfoil in the past. The management of North Spring Lake was geared toward opening forage “edge” in these solid growth milfoil beds and shifting vegetation types to native species.
Bluegill
Poor
Surveys have shown the bulk of the Bluegill population being from 3" - 5". The Bluegill population was evaluated by 469 stock size fish from the 2024 surveys. The indices are not great with few fish nearing the 8” size class. This is most likely due to the dense vegetation in the lake. The average body condition value was 86.
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | NonVulnerable (8 - 10") | 7200 |
| 2025 | Muskellunge | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 8468 |
| 2025 | Muskellunge | Egg | 15684 |
| 2025 | Muskellunge | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 57001 |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 5400 |
Contact
309-968-7135
Description
North Spring Lake is an elongated backwater lateral marsh of the Illinois River. It was separated by a high levee from the Illinois River in 1916. The North Lake was separated from the South Lake in 1978 by a stop log structure and a spillway for discharge water. Spring Lake currently has a 25 horsepower limit for outboard motors. The main access is via the Spring Lake blacktop road. A single lane boat ramp is located along the causeway which crosses Spring Lake. An additional gravel ramp is located adjacent to the Sky Ranch blacktop road bridge crossing of North Spring Lake. North Spring Lake boat ramps are accessible by the Manito Blacktop, 12 miles south of Pekin. No fuel or services are available, however, there is camping and food available.
North Spring Lake is a shallow, very fertile backwater. It has a 75% coverage of aquatic vegetation after April and until November of each year. The lake is closed to boat fishing one week prior to regular waterfowl season, and until the end of waterfowl season each year. Always a shallow body of water, Spring Lake has an average depth of 2.9 feet. Of the 578 acres of water, at least 75% is covered with 17 different species of aquatic vegetation by late May of each year. The majority of this coverage now consists of Eurasian milfoil, lily and lotus. The tremendous spring recharge from the bed of the lake amounts to 52 acre-feet a day, creating very cold water temperatures under the insulating layer of vegetation for the majority of the summer months. This is a unique situation and only occurs in Spring Lake within the State of Illinois.
Fishery History
North Spring Lake was rehabilitated in the 1980s to remove an undesirable Common Carp-Gizzard Shad fish population. As a result of the rehabilitation, an excellent fish population resulted. Water clarity improved and aquatic weeds flourished. Good fishing for Largemouth Bass, crappie, sunfish and catfish soon resulted. As part of an effort to develop a brood source for Muskie, Spring Lake has been stocked with that species for 25 years. Muskie are trap netted at the lake and spawned at the Jake Wolf Fish Hatchery in March of each year. A total of over half a million eggs are produced for statewide Muskie stocking needs each year. The Muskie population is being continuously monitored using electronic tags. This marking program has been ongoing since 1999. Because of its shallow water and clarity, North Spring Lake has a tremendous coverage of aquatic vegetation. As part of an effort to reduce coverage of Eurasian milfoil (an exotic invasive plant), North Spring Lake is treated with DMA4 2,4-D each year.Site Regulations
There is a 25 horsepower motor limit on Spring Lake. The lake is closed to boat fishing 1 week prior to regular waterfowl season, and remains closed until the end of waterfowl season each year. During this closure period, bank fishing is allowed after 1:00 p.m.
Tournaments: All bass tournaments must register online using the Tournament Permit System at least 30 days before the event.
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations:
- Recreational Use Restriction: Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (see above)
- All Fish: 2 pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached while fishing; bow fishing is allowed
- 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: Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and less than 18 inches; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Muskie: 42 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches
Additional Information
FALL FISHING CLOSURE: October 18, bank fishing after 1:00 p.m.
Planning to eat your catch? Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory Page
Bath Map
