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BORAH LAKE
Lake Information
County: Richland
Acreage: 137
Average Depth: 10.99 feet
Shoreline Length: 15 miles
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? Unrestricted
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? Yes
Swimming? Yes
Picnicking? No
Camping? No
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Maps are not intended for navigation.
There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2021 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
4000 |
2022 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
4000 |
Additional information for stocking on Borah Lake
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Good | Bluegill body condition improved, and electrofishing catch rates remained high. However, most adult bluegill in the sample were between 5” – 7.5” long. Bluegill fishing in the coming year should be fair to good. | |
Very Good | The channel catfish population is in good shape and their body condition is very good. Channel catfish should provide good fishing opportunities in the coming year. Fish in the 1 – 4 pound range should be common, with some fish nearing 10 pounds. | |
Good | Both black and white crappie are abundant in the lake and the size structure and condition for both of these species are fair. Approximately, 41% of the adult white crappie in this year’s sample exceeded 9” in length and 29% were 10” or longer. However, only 6% of the adult black crappie were over 9” long and no black crappie over 10” were collected. Most crappie in 2022 are expected to be between 6” – 9”, with some fish exceeding 10” and weighing more than ½ of a pound. Crappie fishing should be good in the coming year. Harvest of smaller crappie is encouraged. | |
Good | The size structure of the largemouth bass population remained good. Average body condition improved slightly from last year’s sample and remained above the lake management plan target. All size classes of bass met or exceeded the lake management plan goals and electrofishing catch rates remained high. Currently, 20% of the adult bass population exceeds the 14” minimum length limit and 13% of the adult bass are within the 15” – 20” size range. Bass fishing should be fair to good in 2022 with most keeper fish ranging from 14” – 18” in length and weighing 1 – 3 pounds. | |
Very Good | The redear sunfish population in Borah Lake is doing very well. Average body condition was really good and catch rates remained high. Approximately 30% of the adult redear collected were over 9” long, and 15% exceeded 10” in length. The redear sunfish population should provide quality opportunities for fishing in the coming year. | |
Location: Borah Lake is located in Richland County, approximately 1 mile north of Olney, Illinois.
Description: Borah Lake was constructed by the City of Olney in 1954 to serve as a water supply reservoir. Borah Lake has a surface area of 137 acres, a maximum depth of 26 feet, and a mean depth of 11 feet. The lake has 15 miles of shoreline and a watershed of 2,155 acres.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The sport fish population in Borah Lake is comprised primarily of largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, and channel catfish. The lake is stocked annually with channel catfish. The lake also contains flathead catfish and yellow bullheads. The fish population is surveyed annually.
Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line fishing only. City boat stickers and tournament permits are required. Annual boat stickers are available at Olney City Hall and local bait shops. Tournament permits are available at Olney City Hall.
Site regulations:
Largemouth bass: 6 fish daily limit; 14" minimum length limit
Channel catfish: 6 fish daily limit
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 25 fish daily limit collectively, no length limit
Contact Information: Olney City Hall 618-395-7302IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Boone LaHood618-393-6732
There were 28 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2022.
| Species | Total Fish Caught |
| Largemouth Bass | 337 |
Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:
| 1 6.79 lbs | 2 5.60 lbs | 3 5.54 lbs | 4 5.48 lbs | 5 5.47 lbs |
Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:
| 1 | 50.14 lbs |
| 2 | 48.81 lbs |
| 3 | 48.07 lbs |
| 4 | 46.77 lbs |
| 5 | 43.38 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-01 | 23245 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 19 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| April-19 | 24261 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 16 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
| April-29 | 23026 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | No |
| April-30 | 22903 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| May-03 | 24262 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 16 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
| May-06 | 22983 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| May-13 | 23630 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| May-20 | 23249 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 19 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| June-03 | 23107 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
| June-04 | 23241 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| June-10 | 23714 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| June-17*June-18 | 24119 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 12 | Blue Catfish Channel Catfish | No | Yes |
| July-08 | 23108 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
| July-09 | 24502 | Pending | Ramp | boathook | 25 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| July-15 | 23715 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| July-16 | 23255 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| July-22 | 23921 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass | No | No |
| August-12 | 22987 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| August-13 | 23629 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| September-09*September-10 | 24120 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 12 | Blue Catfish Channel Catfish | No | Yes |
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