Paris West Lake
Location 75 acres
Fishing Outlook
Flathead Catfish
Fair
Flathead Catfish are low in abundance. Anglers catch a few large flatheads infrequently. Catch-and-release for Flathead Catfish is encouraged. Fishing quality is rated as poor-fair.
Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)
Good
Saugeye (sauger X walleye hybrids) were initially stocked in 2010. Saugeye are increasing in abundance with anglers reporting good catches of 14”+ saugeye. The 2014 and 2015 year classes look strong. Fishing quality is rated as good for 2016 as this population is developing well. Site Regulation: saugeye, walleye, and sauger, 6 fish daily limit; 14-inch minimum length.
Crappie spp.
Good
Crappie, both white and black, are moderate in abundance. Anglers may catch crappie up to 13+ inches and 1+ pounds. Fishing prospects for 2016 are good.
Bluegill
Fair
Bluegill fishing is fair. Few fish exceed 7.5 inches, but most have a heavy body weight.
Common Carp
Good
Common Carp are abundant with fish exceeding 10 lbs. Fishing quality is rated as good. Bow fishing is allowed.
Channel Catfish
Excellent
Channel Catfish are stocked by IDNR hatcheries and very abundant in these lakes. The average catch goes from 3/4 - 5 pounds, with the occasional fish over 10 pounds caught. Fishing prospects are rated as excellent for 2016! Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit, no length limit.
Largemouth Bass
Excellent
Largemouth Bass are abundant with bass from 1.2 – 3 pounds common. Fish over 6 pounds are caught on occasion. The largest bass collected, 21” and 6.4 lbs. Fishing quality is rated as excellent for both size structure and density for 2016! Site Regulation: both large and smallmouth, 6 fish daily limit; 14-inch minimum length.
Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)
Fair
Hybrid striped bass were initially stocked in 2010. Numbers of hybrid striped bass have been caught in recent years by anglers. Catch rates of hybrid striped bass have been low in recent surveys, but an 11.7 lbs. fish was collected from the west lake in 2015. Fishing quality is rated as fair-good for 2016. Site Regulation: no limit under 17"; 3 fish daily 17" and above.
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 1824 |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | NonVulnerable (8 - 10") | 1368 |
| 2024 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 5329 |
| 2024 | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 6950 |
| 2023 | Channel Catfish | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 2280 |
Contact
217-465-7601
Description
The two lakes have a combined surface acreage of 220 acres. Bank fishing access is abundant and public boat launching facilities are available. Public boat launching facilities are available on each lake and the City of Paris (217-465-7601) collects a boating access fee. All tournaments must be scheduled through ifishillinios.org.Fishery History
The fish populations of the Paris Twin Lakes are intensively surveyed every 2 years, primarily by electrofishing. The fish are measured, weighed, and scales collected for aging before releasing the fish alive. Hybrid Striped Bass and Saugeye populations are stocked annually through the IDNR hatcheries and are surveyed annually. Yellow Bass, Longear Sunfish, Green Sunfish, and Yellow Bullheads are present, but are seldom harvested by fishermen due to the small size attained by most of these species. Gizzard Shad and Golden Shiners are the primary forage.Site Regulations
Public boat launching facilities are available on each lake and the City of Paris (217-465-7601) collects a boating access fee. All tournaments must be scheduled through ifishillinios.org. The entire West Lake is always no wake. The East Lake is no wake before 10 a.m. or after sunset with a speed limit of 35 m.p.h.
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; bow fishing is allowed
- 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)
Additional Information
Planning to eat your catch? Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory PageBath Map
