Pyramid State Park - Boulder Lake
Location 40 acres
Fishing Outlook
Black Crappie
Good
Black Crappie have been collected up to 12" during population surveys. Although numbers collected during surveys have been limited, angler reports have indicated that Boulder Lake supports a good fishery for Black Crappie.
Channel Catfish
Fair
Although no Channel Catfish were collected during the 2024 population survey, catfish up to 6 lbs. have been sampled during past surveys. Channel Catfish are stocked annually to maintain adequate recruitment and sustain the fishery.
Redear Sunfish
Poor
Similar to Bluegill, Redear size structure is poor and body condition decreased with increasing length, indicating stunted growth. All Redear collected during the 2024 electrofishing survey were under 8" in length.
Largemouth Bass
Fair
The Largemouth Bass population is very abundant and skewed toward small, stunted fish under 13". Although most bass stunt by 13", a small percentage break out of the bottleneck and reach lengths over 20". The largest bass collected during the 2024 electrofishing survey was 21.2" and weighed 6 lbs. One additional 20" bass was collected, but all others were under 13" and demonstrated poor body condition. Poor bass growth is likely a consequence of low fertility and dense aquatic vegetation. Lake fertilizations and herbicide treatments were initiated in 2024 in an effort to improve growth of sport fishes.
Bluegill
Poor
Bluegill size structure is poor and body condition decreased with increasing length, indicating stunted growth. All Bluegill collected during the 2024 electrofishing survey were under 7" in length.
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | NonVulnerable (8 - 10") | 518 |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | NonVulnerable (8 - 10") | 480 |
Contact
618-357-2574
Description
Boulder Lake is a 40-acre strip mine lake with clear water and abundant aquatic vegetation. The lake hosts a concrete boat ramp, dock, and kayak launch. Unfamiliar boat anglers should use caution, as there are multiple shallow points and humps with boulders that could cause damage.Fishery History
Boulder Lake is known for producing large bass on occasion, but the majority of bass stunt around 10 to 12 inches and are abundant. Bluegill and Redear Sunfish body condition and size structure is relatively poor. However, Black Crappie demonstrate better growth potential, with good numbers in the 9- to 12-inch range. Channel Catfish are stocked annually to ensure consistent recruitment, but limited data has been collected from population surveys.
Although stunted growth and high abundance is to be expected from bass in an infertile, heavily vegetated strip cut lake, Bluegill and Redear Sunfish growth potential is normally much better than what has been observed in Boulder Lake. Dense submerged vegetation (which hampers bass feeding efficiency), combined with competition from Gizzard Shad, likely acts to restrict Bluegill and Redear Sunfish growth in this case. To remedy this problem, lake fertilizations and herbicide treatments were performed in 2024 and 2025 to increase plankton density and reduce aquatic vegetation through shading. Triploid (sterile) Grass Carp will also be utilized to help reduce vegetation density if they can be obtained.
Site Regulations
There is no motor horsepower limit at Pyramid, however all boats must be operated at no-wake speed.
Fishing is allowed year-round at Boulder 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; bow fishing is allowed
- Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit (statewide regulation)
- White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Additional Information
Planning to eat your catch? Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory Page