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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
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 slightly in 2022 and electrofishing catch rates decreased but remained high. Most adult bluegill in the sample were between 6” – 8” long, but no bluegill over 8” were collected. Approximately 21% of the adult bluegill sampled in 2022 were over 7” long, up from only 8% in 2021. Increased predation on smaller bluegill from the 7” – 12” size group of bass is likely responsible, in part, for the modest improvements in the bluegill population. However, bluegill in this lake will likely always be hindered by the presence of gizzard shad. Bluegill fishing in the coming year should be fair to good with the biggest fish near ⅓ of a pound. | |
Very Good | The channel catfish population is in good shape and their body condition is good (Wr = 99). Approximately 75% of the adult channel catfish collected were 16” or longer and 50% exceeded 18” in length. Channel catfish should provide good fishing opportunities in the coming year. Channel catfish 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 structures for both of these populations are poor. Approximately, 12% of the adult white crappie in this year’s sample exceeded 9” in length and no fish over 10” were collected. No black crappie over 9” were collected. White crappie body condition was just below the lake management target and black crappie body condition was just over the target. Crappie fishing should be good in the coming year for catching abundant fish, but the size structure of fish caught will likely be poor. Most crappie in 2023 are expected to be between 6” – 9”, with a few fish possibly exceeding 10” and weighing more than ½ of a pound. Harvest of smaller crappie is encouraged. | |
Average | A small population of flathead catfish also exists in Borah Lake and two were collected in 2022. The smaller flathead catfish weighed 17 pounds and was 33” long and the larger fish was 35.7 pounds and 40” long. | |
Good | The size structure of the largemouth bass population was fair. Average body condition remained stable and above the lake management plan target. Electrofishing catch rates remained high, but the percentage of larger fish in the sample decreased from last year. Approximately 11% of the adult fish in the sample exceeded the 14” minimum length limit and 5% were 18” or longer. A large group of 7” – 12” bass were sampled this year, which may contribute to angler catches in the coming years. Average body condition is higher for fish greater than 15” than it is for smaller fish and is likely due to the gizzard shad forage base in this lake. Bass fishing should be fair to good in 2023 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 17% of the adult redear collected were over 9” long and 10% exceeded 10” in length. The redear sunfish population should provide quality opportunities for fishing in the coming year with some larger fish near 1 pound. | |
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 bullhead. The fish population is surveyed annually, and summaries below are based on the results of the most recent population survey and four-year trends in the population indices.
Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line fishing only. ANNUAL CITY OF OLNEY BOAT STICKERS AND CITY OF OLNEY 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 – 2024 Approved or Pending Tournaments | ||||||||
Start Date | ID | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? | Open to Public? |
March-31 | 26105 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
April-13 | 25853 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 12 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
April-21 | 25739 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | No |
April-27 | 25590 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
April-28 | 25742 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | No |
May-11 | 25591 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
May-18 | 26182 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-01 | 25483 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-02 | 25438 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 12 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-08 | 26183 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-15 | 25879 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-23 | 26051 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-04 | 25397 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-10 | 26052 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
October-06 | 25457 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 12 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |