Sunset Lake - CCFPD
Info / Champaign County
Family Friendly
Yes
Handicap Access
Yes
Boat Fishing
Yes - Electric trolling motors only
Boat Ramps
Yes
Boat Rentals
No
Camping
No
Picnicking
Yes - More Info
Skiing
No
Swimming
No
Trout Stocking
No
Zebra Mussels
None
Location 128 acres
Fishing Outlook
Channel Catfish
Good
Sunset Lake is stocked each year with Channel Catfish from the state hatchery system. The catfish fishery has good numbers and adequate sizes for anglers. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit.
Crappie spp.
Developing
In 2022, the catch rate of black crappie was 64 per hour. The management objective is 25 per hour. The average catch rate for the past 9 surveys is 11.6 black crappie per hour. Approximately 92% of the black crappie collected were less than 5 inches and suggests a very strong year class was produced in 2021 and should provide great fishing in a few years. There are larger crappie in the lake but not at high numbers. Site Regulation: 9” minimum length limit, 10 fish daily limit.
Bluegill
Good
In 2022, the catch rate for Bluegill was 268 per hour of electrofishing, which exceeded the management objective of 125 to 210 Bluegill per hour. Based on Bluegill over 3 inches, only 1% were longer than 6 inches and none were longer than 8 inches. The number of larger Bluegill dropped dramatically since the last survey. Site Regulation: 15 fish daily limit.
Largemouth Bass
Improving
The 2022 survey resulted in a catch rate of 108 bass per hour of electrofishing, which was below the management objective of 125 bass per hour. The average catch rate since 2002 is 132.3 bass per hour. Based on bass 8 inches and longer; 72% were over 12 inches, and 20% were over 15 inches. Even though the catch rate was low for larger bass, the 2019 survey resulted in the highest catch rate ever obtained at Sunset Lake for bass over 15 inches, and the 2022 survey had the second highest catch rate. Site regulation below.
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | NonVulnerable (8 - 10") | 1742 |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | Adult | 1486 |
| 2023 | Channel Catfish | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 2477 |
Contact
217-586-3360
Description
Sunset Lake is a gravel pit constructed by the Mid-America Sand & Gravel Company. The lake is approximately 125 acres, but the southwestern portion is being actively mined at this time. The lake has a maximum depth of 54 feet and an average depth of 19 feet. The majority of the lake is owned by the Champaign County Forest Preserve District. The River Bend Forest Preserve is being developed as a natural area, with some recreational amenities, including a bicycle path, hiking trails, picnic area, and fishing.Site Regulations
Watercraft power is limited to oar, paddle, or electric trolling motors; gasoline engines must be removed prior to launch.
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
- Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 fish greater than or equal to 15 inches and 2 fish less than 15 inches
- White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit