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PIERCE LAKE
Lake Information
County: Winnebago
Acreage: 147
Average Depth: 12.5 feet
Shoreline Length: 4.2 miles
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? Unrestricted, over 10 hp no wake speed
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? Yes
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
Maps are not intended for navigation.
There are zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2022 |
Channel Catfish |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 10" |
4713 |
2022 |
Muskellunge |
Adult |
171 |
2022 |
Smallmouth Bass |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
5985 |
2022 |
Walleye |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
9180 |
2023 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
3855 |
2023 |
Muskellunge |
Adult |
166 |
2023 |
Smallmouth Bass |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
5161 |
2023 |
Walleye |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
8569 |
Additional information for stocking on Pierce Lake
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Improving | In our most recent survey, a total of 168 Bluegills were collected ranging from 1.2 – 7.4 inches in size. Body condition exceeded the 90th percentile for quality and preferred-sized fish. A high body condition indicates sufficient forage for fish growth. Despite Bluegill densities being high, and good Bluegill body condition, very few larger Bluegill were collected. | |
Excellent | A total of 69 Largemouth bass were collected ranging from 2.8 – 21.1 inches in size.Body condition exceeded the 90th percentile for quality, preferred, and memorable-sized fish. A high body condition indicates sufficient forage for fish growth. Overall, the Largemouth Bass population looks to be in great shape. | |
Excellent | A total of 45 Muskellunge were collected ranging in size form 27.6 – 41.5 inches. The Muskellunge collected were mostly dominated by males (45 males versus 11 females). Later-than-normal cold temperatures may have made sampling a little early this year with water temperatures only around 46 degrees during sampling. | |
Very Good | A total of 27 Walleye were collected ranging from 14.4 – 28.3 inches in size. Body condition exceeded the 90th percentile for quality, preferred, and memorable-sized fish. A high body condition indicates sufficient forage for fish growth. | |
Location: Pierce lake is located in Rock Cut State Park in Northeastern Winnebago County. It lies between the towns of Machesney Park and Caledonia on Rt. 173.
Description: Pierce Lake covers a former rock quarry and much of the lower end was cut through solid rock. The lake has a maximum depth of 36 feet with an average depth of 12.5 feet. The pool elevation is 826 feet, giving the lake 4.9 miles of shoreline. The watershed has 8,150 acres with a ratio of 50:1, allowing a retention time of 132 days.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Pierce Lake is an artificial impoundment made from a rock quarry. The initial 13 park acres were purchased in 1959 and at the present time the park contains 3,092 acres. The lake began impounding water on May 15, 1961. The lake is annually stocked with Muskellunge, Walleye, Channel Catfish and Smallmouth Bass.
Additional Lake Information: Regulations:
2 Pole and Line Fishing Only
Large or Smallmouth Bass: 1 fish daily limit (15˝ minimum length limit)
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: No Fish Daily Creel Limit (No minimum length limit)
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit (No minimum length limit)
Pure Muskellunge: 1 fish daily limit (48˝ minimum length limit)
Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye: 6 fish daily limit (14˝ minimum length limit)
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 fish daily limit (No minimum length limit)
Contact Information: State of IllinoisRock Cut State Park: 815-885-3311IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Brennan Caputo630-360-4181
There were 2 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2023.
| Species | Total Fish Caught |
| Bluegill | 10 |
| Crappie | 4 |
| Largemouth Bass | 23 |
Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:
| 1 3.06 lbs |
Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:
| 1 | 40.31 lbs |
Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.
Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.
| 2024 Approved or Pending Tournaments | ||||||||
| Start Date | ID | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? | Open to Public? |
| April-27 | 26975 | Approved | Rock Cut SP - Main Ramp | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass | Yes | No |
| May-02 | 26311 | Approved | Rock Cut SP - Main Ramp | boathook | 24 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Spotted Bass | Yes | Yes |
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