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EAST FORK LAKE


Lake Information

County: Richland

Acreage: 935

Average Depth: 14.99 feet

Shoreline Length: 25 miles

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? Unrestricted

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? Yes

Swimming? No

Picnicking? Yes

larger map link Dam Ramp


    Click on area names for a more detailed map.
    Dam, Boat Ramp

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There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2021

Channel Catfish

Non-vulnerable 8 - 10"

9918

2021

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

49900

2022

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

10000

2022

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

34680


Additional information for stocking on East Fork Lake


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLACK CRAPPIE

Excellent

Black crappie are the dominant species in East Fork Lake and their population also appeared to also be doing well. Body condition decreased to the minimum lake management target. Black crappie electrofishing catch rates remained high and the majority of the fish were between 8” – 10”. Approximately 15% of the adult black crappie collected in 2021 exceeded 9” long and only 1% exceeded 10” long. If growth rates remain good, the size structure of the populations should improve further in the coming years. Most angler catches in 2022 are likely to be black crappie in the 8” – 9” range weighing 0.2 – 0.4 pounds.

BLUEGILL

Good

The bluegill population structure remained in good shape and consistent with recent trends. Average bluegill body condition remained at the lake management target. There was an increase in the number of bluegill greater than 7”. However, the number of bluegill exceeding 8” remained low at only 1% of adult bluegill sampled. Angling for bluegill in the coming year should be good with most keepers 5” – 8” in length and 0.10 – 0.33 pounds.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Good

Catfish numbers improved but remained low in East Fork Lake. The average size of the fish was good. Average body condition for these fish also remained good and above target. Most fish in 2022 will range from 15” – 20” inches and 1 – 2.5 pounds, with larger fish up to 10 pounds. This lake provides good bank fishing opportunities. Drift fishing the main lake is also very productive.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

The size structure of the bass population improved slightly from last year. There was an increase in the percentage of bass in the 12” – 15” size range, but the percentage of adult bass exceeding the 15” minimum length limit remained constant at 33%. The electrofishing catch rate and the average body condition for all sizes of bass remained constant and above their lake management targets. Fishing prospects for the coming year should be good and similar to last year with most keeper bass ranging from 15” – 20” in length and weighing between 1.5 – 4 pounds.

WALLEYE

Good

The size structure and size of the walleye population remained good this year. Five year classes were collected in this year’s survey. The catch rate was almost 8 per hour during the electrofishing survey, 4.5 fish per net-night in the fall net survey, and just under 30 fish per net-night in the spring netting survey. Approximately 84% of the adult fish were 15” or longer and 95% exceeded the 14% minimum length limit. With many fish in the 2 – 5 lb. range, this lake should provide good fishing opportunities for walleye in the coming year.

WHITE CRAPPIE

Good

The white crappie population structure remained good. The average body condition for all sizes of white crappie improved and remained above target. The percentage of white crappie over 10” in length remained good at 15%, while approximately 40% of white crappie exceeded 9” in length.

Location: East Fork Lake is located in Richland County, approximately 1 mile north of Olney Illinois.

Description: East Fork Lake was constructed by the City of Olney in 1971 to serve as a water supply reservoir. The lake has a surface area of 935 acres, a maximum depth of 40 feet, and a mean depth of 15 feet. The lake has 25 miles of shoreline and a watershed of 9,982 acres.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The sport fish population in East Fork Lake is comprised primarily of largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, white crappie, and channel catfish and is stocked annually with walleye. The lake also contains common carp and yellow bullheads. The fish population is surveyed annually.

Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line fishing only. Annual boat stickers and City tournament permits are required. Boat stickers are available at Olney City Hall and local bait shops.

Site Regulations:
Largemouth Bass: 6 fish daily limit; 15" minimum length limit
Walleye: 6 fish daily limit, 14" minimum length limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 fish daily limit collectively
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 25 fish daily limit collectively
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit

Contact Information:
East Fork Lake
Olney City Hall:
618-393-2130
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Boone LaHood
618-393-6732

There were 62 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2022.

Species Total Fish Caught
Largemouth Bass 1588

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

1     6.12 lbs
2     5.87 lbs
3     5.75 lbs
4     5.52 lbs
5     5.48 lbs

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

1 278.71 lbs
2 278.60 lbs
3 227.24 lbs
4 197.53 lbs
5 195.28 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?
March-2522874ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
March-2623020ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
YesNo
March-2623619ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass
NoNo
April-0123626ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-0223303ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-0223374ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
8Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-0823262ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-1224255ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
16Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-1522613ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
YesYes
April-1622943ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-1623305ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-2222898ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-2324021ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-2624256ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
16Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-29
*April-30
23325ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
19Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
April-2923708ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
May-0623306ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoNo
May-0723253ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
19Largemouth Bass
NoNo
May-1323860ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-1724257ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
16Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-2022907ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-2123327ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
9Largemouth Bass
NoNo
May-2723977ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
6Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-0323258ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-0423259ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
19Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-0724258ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
16Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-1023861ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-1124501PendingEast Fork Lake boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-1723263ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2124259ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
16Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2423709ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-2523628ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-0823862ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-1224260ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
16Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-1622762ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
16Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
July-22
*July-23
22825ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-2624265ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
12Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-28
*July-29
22937ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
12Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-29
*July-30
23710ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-3023711ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
August-0523863ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-0924266ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
12Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-12
*August-13
24121ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
12Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
NoYes
August-1322965ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo
August-1923712ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
August-2324267ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
12Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-2622946ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-0624268ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
12Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-0923627ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-1023823ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-1623328ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
8Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-2422775ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-2423006ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-2724269ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
12Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-30
*October-01
23564ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-0823264ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoYes
October-0823331ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
8Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-1422951ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-1423242ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-1523012ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
12Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-2223713ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-28
*October-29
24133ApprovedEast Fork Lake boat
hook
8Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo