Boss Lake - MFWA
Info / Bureau County
Family Friendly
No
Handicap Access
No
Boat Fishing
Yes - Electric motors only
Boat Ramps
Yes
Boat Rentals
No
Camping
No
Picnicking
No
Skiing
No
Swimming
No
Trout Stocking
No
Zebra Mussels
None
Location 16 acres
Fishing Outlook
Bluegill
Excellent
Boss Lake supports an excellent Bluegill fishery that has great trophy fish opportunities. Bluegill up to 9 inches can be found in Boss Lake, with good numbers of fish from 6-9 inches available.
Largemouth Bass
Average
The population is dominated by fish in the 10-15 inch range, with a few fish over 15 inches available
Redear Sunfish
Excellent
Boss Lake supports an excellent Redear fishery that has great trophy fish opportunities. Redear up to 10 inches can be found in Boss Lake, with good numbers of fish from 7-9 inches available.
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 756 |
| 2025 | Redear Sunfish | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 17007 |
| 2025 | Smallmouth Bass | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 1421 |
| 2024 | Redear Sunfish | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 21082 |
| 2024 | Smallmouth Bass | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 1396 |
Contact
16006-875 E. St.
815-454-2328
Description
Boss Lake was created by strip-mining in the 1950s. The lake did not open to the public until 1994 because of lack of roads and restroom facilities. Boss Lake has 15.5 surface acres of water. The lake has an average depth of 34 feet and a max depth of 48 feet. A single lane concrete boat ramp with car/trailer parking is available.Fishery History
The fishery is managed by species-specific surveys and fish stocking. Boss Lake receives an annual stocking of Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass and Redear Sunfish. Boss Lake supports a variety of fish species which include Sunfishes, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Yellow Bullhead and others.Site Regulations
Only electric trolling motors are allowed on Boss Lake.
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; sport fisherman may harvest carp, buffalo, suckers and gar by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears from May 1 through August 31
- Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: 14 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
