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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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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 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.

CHANNEL CATFISH

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.

CRAPPIE

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.

FLATHEAD CATFISH

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.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

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.

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 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
618-395-7302
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 – 2024 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date ID Approval Ramp Location Bank/Boat
Hook/Bow
Max Boats Species Youth? Open to Public?
March-3126105ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-1325853ApprovedRamp boat
hook
12Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-2125739ApprovedRamp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
YesNo
April-2725590ApprovedRamp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-2825742ApprovedRamp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
YesNo
May-1125591ApprovedRamp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
May-1826182ApprovedRamp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-0125483ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-0225438ApprovedRamp boat
hook
12Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-0826183ApprovedRamp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-1525879ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-2326051ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
August-0425397ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
August-1026052ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-0625457ApprovedRamp boat
hook
12Largemouth Bass
NoNo