Mattoon, Lake
Location 988 acres
Fishing Outlook
Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)
Fair
Saugeye were initially stocked in 2010. Saugeye are moderate in abundance with anglers reporting catches of some legal saugeye. The 2012 and 2013 year classes look strong.
Flathead Catfish
Poor
Catch and release is encouraged as abundance is low.
Freshwater Drum
Average
Moderately abundant with fish exceeding 10 lbs.
Common Carp
Good
Abundant with fish exceeding 10 lbs.
Crappie spp.
Excellent
Both white and black crappie are abundant. Growth rates vary from slow to fast within this population. However, anglers may still catch crappie up to 13 inches and 3/4 lbs.
Largemouth Bass
Fair
Moderate in abundance due to a lack of aquatic vegetation for nursery habitat. Decent numbers of bass from .5-3 lbs. are present with fish over 6 lbs. caught on occasion.
Bluegill
Fair
Few fish exceed 7.5 inches, but most have a heavy body weight.
Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)
Good
Hybrid striped bass are stocked annually with population density varying with stocking density. Good numbers of hybrid striped bass have been caught in recent years by anglers. Numbers of hybrids are caught below the spillway in early spring. Catch rates of hybrid striped bass were high during the standardized fall survey in 2012 and good in 2013.
Channel Catfish
Good
Currently abundant in the lake through primarily natural recruitment. The average catch goes from 3/4 - 4.5 lbs., with the occasional fish over 10 pounds caught.
| 2025 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 12730 |
| 2025 | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 61409 |
| 2024 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 10791 |
| 2024 | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 42827 |
| 2023 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 12636 |
Contact
General Inquiries
217-254-6680
Description
The lake covers 1050 surface acres and has a maximum depth of 31 feet and average depth of 11.4 feet. Camping, a swimming beach, live bait, fishing tackle, ice, and drinks are available. Public boat launching facilities are also available and the Lake Mattoon Marina (217-254-6680) collects a boating access fee, which covers Lake Paradise as well. All tournaments must be scheduled through IFishIllinois.org tournament permitting page.Fishery History
The fish population in Lake Mattoon is intensively surveyed every 2 years, primarily by electrofishing. The fish are measured, weighed, and scales collected before releasing them alive. Hybrid Striped Bass, and Saugeye, populations are being maintained by annual stockings. In addition to the species listed above, Yellow Bass, Longear Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Warmouth, and Yellow and Black Bullheads are present, but are seldom harvested by fishermen due to the small size attained by these species.Site Regulations
A city boat sticker is required to launch/boat on the lake. After sunset the entire lake is no wake.
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
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass: Unlimited Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 3 fish greater than or equal to 17 inches (statewide regulation)
- Walleye, Sauger, or Walleye Hybrid (Saugeye): 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit (statewide regulation)
- 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
Planning to eat your catch? Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory PageBath Map
