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DOLAN LAKE


Lake Information

County: Hamilton

Acreage: 75

Average Depth: 6.23 feet

Shoreline Length: 3.2 miles

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? 10hp

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? No

Swimming? No

Picnicking? Yes

Camping? Yes


Maps are not intended for navigation.


There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2022

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

3500

2023

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

3500


Additional information for stocking on Dolan Lake


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Very Good

Bluegill size structure continues to improve and catchable fish are 6.5 to 8 inches in length with some individuals exceeding eight inches. Bluegill fishing at Dolan Lake is expected to be good to excellent.Site Regulation: A daily catch limit of 25 bluegill or redear sunfish applies.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Excellent

Anglers continue to report excellent catches of channel catfish. Many fish reported and collected during electrofishing surveys are 20 inches or better. Fishing prospects for channel catfish at Dolan Lake are expected to be very good to excellent. Site Regulation: A daily catch limit of six fish applies.

CRAPPIE

Good

Crappie abundance at Dolan Lake continues to increase. Abundance of smaller fish has increased, but nine to ten inch crappie are present with some individuals exceeding 12 inches in total length. Crappie fishing at Dolan Lake is expected to be good. Site Regulation: 25 fish creel limit applies with only 10 fish over 10 inches allowed.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Excellent

A strong and well balanced bass population exists at Dolan Lake. Size structure is excellent with fish ranging from young of the year to greater than 18 inches. Bass abundance is extremely good as the average number caught in recent samples is 148 bass per hour of electrofishing. The current bass fishing regulation of one fish per day over 18 inches in total length will continue to protect this growing fishery. Improvement in bass size structure should continue as the bass population develops and excellent bass fishing opportunities are expected at Dolan Lake. Site Regulation: One fish per day over 18 inches.

Location: Dolan Lake is located approximately eight miles southeast of Mcleansboro off State Route 14 in Hamilton County.

Description: In 1962, an earthen dam was constructed impounding approximately 75 acres of water. The lake has a shoreline distance of 3 miles and a maximum depth of 18 feet. Due to poor fishing and an abundance of undesirable fish species, the lake was drained and restocked with sport fish in 2005.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Currently, the lake is doing very well and has catchable populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie and redear sunfish.

Additional Lake Information: Dolan Lake has a two pole and line fishing regulation and a 10 horsepower or less outboard motor restriction.

Site Regulation:
Crappie: 25 fish daily limit applies with only 10 fish over 10" allowed.

Contact Information:
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Nick Abell
618-967-0952

There were 2 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2023.

Species Total Fish Caught
Channel Catfish 2
Crappie 23
Largemouth Bass 8

Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:

1     4.31 lbs
2     3.62 lbs
3     3.25 lbs

Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:

1 19.50 lbs
2 11.19 lbs