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MATTOON, LAKE


Lake Information

County: Shelby

Acreage: 988

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? Unrestricted

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? Yes

Swimming? Yes

Picnicking? Yes

Camping? Yes


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There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2021

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

25280

2021

Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

52097

2022

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

12810

2022

Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

44807


Additional information for stocking on Mattoon, Lake


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Fair

Few fish exceed 7.5 inches, but most have a heavy body weight.

CARP

Good

Abundant with fish exceeding 10 lbs.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Good

Currently abundant in the lake through primarily natural recruitment. The average catch goes from 3/4 - 4.5 lbs., with the occasional fish over 10 pounds caught.

CRAPPIE

Excellent

Both white and black crappie are abundant. Growth rates vary from slow to fast within this population. However, anglers may still catch crappie up to 13 inches and 3/4 lbs.

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Poor

Catch and release is encouraged as abundance is low.

FRESHWATER DRUM

Average

Moderately abundant with fish exceeding 10 lbs.

HYBRID STRIPED BASS (WIPERS)

Good

Hybrid striped bass are stocked annually with population density varying with stocking density. Good numbers of hybrid striped bass have been caught in recent years by anglers. Numbers of hybrids are caught below the spillway in early spring. Catch rates of hybrid striped bass were high during the standardized fall survey in 2012 and good in 2013.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Fair

Moderate in abundance due to a lack of aquatic vegetation for nursery habitat. Decent numbers of bass from .5-3 lbs. are present with fish over 6 lbs. caught on occasion.

SAUGEYE (Walleye/Sauger Hybrid)

Fair

Saugeye were initially stocked in 2010. Saugeye are moderate in abundance with anglers reporting catches of some legal saugeye. The 2012 and 2013 year classes look strong.

Location: Lake Mattoon is located approximately twelve miles southwest of Mattoon and about 1.5 miles northwest of Neoga, in parts of Shelby, Coles, and Cumberland Counties.

Description: The lake covers 1050 surface acres with a maximum depth of 31 feet and average depth of 11.4 feet. Public boat launching facilities are available and the City of Mattoon (217-895-2922 or 234-3611) collects a boating access fee, which covers Lake Paradise as well. All tournaments must be scheduled through the City of Mattoon.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The fish population in Lake Mattoon is intensively surveyed every two years, primarily by electrofishing. The fish are measured, weighed, and scales collected before releasing them alive. Hybrid striped bass, and saugeye, populations are being maintained by annual stockings. In addition to the species listed above, yellow bass, longear sunfish, green sunfish, warmouth, and yellow and black bullheads are present, but are seldom harvested by fishermen due to the small size attained by these species.

Additional Lake Information: Pole and line fishing only, with no more than two poles allowed per person, with only two hooks or lures per pole. After sunset the entire lake is no wake. Camping, a swimming beach, live bait, fishing tackle, ice, and drinks are available.

Contact Information:
Lake Mattoon Marina
217-895-2922 (winter: 217-234-3611)
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Jim Garavaglia
217-345-2420

There were 54 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2022.

Species Total Fish Caught
Blue Catfish 1
Channel Catfish 243
Largemouth Bass 846

Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:

1     6.94 lbs
2     6.49 lbs
3     6.09 lbs
4     5.61 lbs
5     5.47 lbs

Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:

1 99.84 lbs
2 87.51 lbs
3 87.44 lbs
4 84.85 lbs
5 82.87 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.

2023 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date ID Approval Ramp Location Bank/Boat
Hook/Bow
Max Boats Species Youth? Open to Public?
April-0124343ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-0824344ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-15
*April-16
24317ApprovedMarina boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-1524345ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-2224346ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-22
*April-23
24401ApprovedMarina boat
hook
6Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
NoYes
April-2924347ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-0324362ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-13
*May-14
24091ApprovedMarina boat
hook
5Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
NoYes
May-1324348ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-1724363ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-20
*May-21
24092ApprovedMarina boat
hook
5Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
NoYes
May-2724349ApprovedMarina boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-3124364ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-03
*June-04
24107ApprovedMarina boat
hook
6Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
NoYes
June-0324350ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-0422885ApprovedMarina boat
hook
17Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-0724365ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-17
*June-18
24108ApprovedMarina boat
hook
6Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
NoYes
June-1724351ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2124366ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2522899ApprovedMarina boat
hook
17Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-0124352ApprovedMarina boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-0524367ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-08
*July-09
24095ApprovedMarina boat
hook
5Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
NoYes
July-15
*July-16
24109ApprovedMarina boat
hook
6Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
NoYes
July-1524353ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-1924368ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-29
*July-30
24110ApprovedMarina boat
hook
6Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
NoYes
July-2924354ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-0224369ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-12
*August-13
24097ApprovedMarina boat
hook
5Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
NoYes
August-1224355ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-1624370ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-26
*August-27
24098ApprovedMarina boat
hook
5Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
NoYes
August-2624356ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-3024371ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-0224357ApprovedMarina boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-09
*September-10
24099ApprovedMarina boat
hook
5Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
NoYes
September-0924358ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-1624359ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-23
*September-24
24100ApprovedMarina boat
hook
5Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
NoYes
September-2324360ApprovedMarina boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-3024361ApprovedMarina boat
hook
35Largemouth Bass
NoYes
October-07
*October-08
24101ApprovedMarina boat
hook
5Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
NoYes