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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

BLUEGILL

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.

CHANNEL CATFISH

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.

CRAPPIE

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.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

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.

REDEAR SUNFISH

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
618-395-7302
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Boone LaHood
618-393-6732

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-0123245ApprovedRamp boat
hook
19Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-1924261ApprovedRamp boat
hook
16Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-2923026ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
YesNo
April-3022903ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
May-0324262ApprovedRamp boat
hook
16Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-0622983ApprovedRamp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
May-1323630ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
May-2023249ApprovedRamp boat
hook
19Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-0323107ApprovedRamp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-0423241ApprovedRamp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-1023714ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-17
*June-18
24119ApprovedRamp boat
hook
12Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
NoYes
July-0823108ApprovedRamp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-0924502PendingRamp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-1523715ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-1623255ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-2223921ApprovedRamp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
Spotted Bass
NoNo
August-1222987ApprovedRamp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
August-1323629ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-09
*September-10
24120ApprovedRamp boat
hook
12Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
NoYes