Charleston Side Channel Lake
Info / Coles County
Family Friendly
Yes
Handicap Access
Yes
Boat Fishing
Yes - Unrestricted, no wake entire lake
Boat Ramps
Yes
Boat Rentals
Yes - Self-Serve Kayak Rental More Info
Camping
No
Picnicking
Yes
Skiing
No
Swimming
No
Trout Stocking
No
Zebra Mussels
None
Location 317 acres
Fishing Outlook
Largemouth Bass
Good
Largemouth Bass are moderate in abundance due to a lack of aquatic vegetation for nursery habitat. Bass from ½-3 lbs. are present with fish over 5 lbs. observed on occasion.
Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)
Very Good
Saugeye (sauger X walleye hybrids) are stocked annually from IDNR hatcheries. Saugeye are moderately abundant, with fish up to 25 inches and 6 lbs observed in recent surveys.
Common Carp
Very Good
Common Carp are abundant with fish up to 27 inches and 9 lbs observed in recent surveys.
Channel Catfish
Improving
Channel Catfish abundance is low due to a lack of natural recruitment. Spawning boxes have been placed in the lake as part of a collaborative research project with EIU in an effort to improve recruitment of channel catfish. These boxes will hopefully improve the abundance of channel catfish in the lake.
Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)
Very Good
Hybrid striped bass (striped bass X white bass hybrids, AKA Wipers) are stocked annually by IDNR hatcheries. Abundance is good, with fish in excess of 15 lbs observed in recent surveys.
Crappie spp.
Very Good
Both Black Crappie and White Crappie are very abundant. Growth rates vary drastically within this population. Anglers may catch crappie up to 14 inches and 1+ lbs. Anglers are encouraged to keep their limit of fish under 10" in an effort to reduce slower growing fish and improving overall growth rates.
Bluegill
Average
Bluegill are abundant, with a few fish exceeding 8 inches.
Freshwater Drum
Fair
Freshwater Drum are moderately abundant.
| 2026 | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 17640 |
| 2025 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 6210 |
| 2025 | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 18550 |
| 2024 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 13930 |
| 2024 | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 16686 |
Contact
Description
The lake covers 335 surface acres with a maximum depth of 12 feet and average depth of 5.7 feet. The lake is the primary water supply for the City of Charleston and is separated from the Embarras River by a dike that provides excellent shoreline access. Recreational opportunities include fishing and limited boating. Public boat launching facilities are available at no charge. There is a no-wake regulation in effect on the entire lake.Fishery History
Saugeye (Walleye/Sauger hybrids) and Hybrid Striped Bass (Striped Bass/White Bass hybrids) are stocked annually by IDNR hatcheries.
Site Regulations
Unrestricted motor size and no wake regulation in effect on the entire 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; Carp, carpsuckers, buffalo, gar, bowfin and suckers may be harvested by pitchfork, gigs, bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices.
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Saugeye (Walleye/Sauger Hybrids): 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit (statewide regulation)
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass: 17 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 20 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 fish greater than 10 inches and 10 fish less 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
