Clinton Lake
Info / DeWitt County
Location 4895 acres
Fishing Outlook
Largemouth Bass
Excellent
The most recent survey resulted in a catch rate of 75.1 bass per hour and was below the management objective of 80 bass per hour. The average catch rate since 2011 is 90.2 bass per hour. There are good numbers of quality bass in the lake, with 70% being over 12 inches in length and 31% over 15 inches. Clinton Lake has an excellent bass population. See site regulation below.
Walleye
Good
The catch rate for Walleye during the most recent survey was 4.3 Walleye per hour. The average catch rate since 2011 is 5.3 Walleye per hour. Of the Walleye collected over 10 inches, 62% were longer than 15 inches and 15% were longer than 20 inches. The fishery is maintained from annual stockings. Site Regulation: See site regulation below.
Blue Catfish
Average
A catfish survey was conducted in the fall of 2018 to assess the stocking of Blue Catfish. Blue Catfish ranged in size from 9 inches to 29 inches. Blue Catfish have been stocked at a low rate into Clinton Lake since 2014. See site regulation below.
White Bass
Fair
The catch rate in the most recent survey was 5.1 White Bass per hour and was below the management objective of 10 to 20 White Bass per hour. See site regulation below.
Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)
Good
Hybrid Striped Bass were first stocked in Clinton Lake in 1978. During the last spring gill netting survey, Hybrid Striped Bass were collected at a rate of 12.3 per net. The average catch rate is 16.7 hybrids per net. The hybrid striped bass ranged in size from 14.5 inches to 27 inches. The heaviest hybrid weighed 13.84 pounds and the average weight was 5.54 pounds. Clinton Lake has a good Hybrid Striped Bass fishery and is maintained by annual stockings. See site regulation below.
Crappie spp.
Excellent
During the most recent survey, the catch rate for Black Crappie was 8.6 Black Crappie per hour and the catch rate for Blacknose Crappie was 0.6 per hour. The White Crappie catch rate during the most recent survey was 34.6 crappie per hour. The catch rate objective is 25 per hour for White Crappie and 15 per hour for Black Crappie. Approximately 12% of the White Crappie were longer than 10 inches and 8.6% of the Black Crappie were longer than 10 inches. See site regulation below.
| 2025 | Blue Catfish | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 47590 |
| 2025 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 5966 |
| 2025 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 77095 |
| 2025 | Walleye | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 238629 |
| 2024 | Black Crappie | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 12860 |
Contact
217-935-8722
Description
This 4,895-acre lake was constructed to serve as a cooling reservoir for the Clinton Nuclear Power Station. The lake has a maximum depth of 60 feet and an average depth of 15 feet. Various portions of the lake are designated as no-wake, electric motor only, or no boat areas for safety and security reasons. All IDNR ramps are now equipped with wheelchair accessible boat docks. There are 17 Class AA campsites, 286 Class A campsites and 5 Class B/S campsites at Clinton Lake with showers and almost all are adaptable to either tents, trailers or motor homes. Click here to reserve a campsite. Bowfishing is allowed on certain areas of the lake. All IDNR ramps are now equipped with wheelchair accessible boat docks.Fishery History
The IDNR Division of Fisheries has been active in the management of the fisheries in Clinton Lake since the lake opened in 1979. The lake receives stockings of Walleye, Hybrid Striped Bass, Blue Catfish, and crappie.Site Regulations
No Wake for all boats from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise with the exception of waterfowl hunters.
From 10 Oct through 31 March the area between the DeWitt and Route 48 bridges are closed to fishing.
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations:
- All Fish: 2 pole and line fishing only, except above Davenport and Parnell bridges where trotlines, jugs and bank poles are permitted; bow fishing is allowed across the lake but not within 150 feet of any boat ramp, dock, beach or other developed recreational area
- Blue or Channel Catfish: 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: 16 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass: 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 3 fish greater than or equal to 17 inches
- Walleye: 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches and 5 fish less than 10 inches
Additional Information
Planning to eat your catch? Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory PageBath Map
