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HOMER LAKE (CCFPD)
Lake Information
County: Champaign
Acreage: 81
Average Depth: 8.00 feet
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? Electric only
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? No
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There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2024 |
Channel Catfish |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 10" |
963 |
2025 |
Channel Catfish |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 10" |
1123 |
Additional information for stocking on Homer Lake - CCFPD
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Poor | No Black Crappie were collected in the last survey. The crappie fishery cycles between either Black or White Crappie being dominant. There is no crappie regulation at Homer Lake. | |
Average | Homer Lake has a large population of bluegill, but the average size is small. Anglers have a great opportunity to catch a bluegill but may struggle to catch bluegill larger than 8 inches. Approximately 56% of the bluegill collected in the most recent fish survey were over 6 inches, but none were longer than 8 inches. | |
Excellent | The State Hatchery System stocks 8-inch channel catfish into Homer Lake each year. This stocking program has produced an excellent catfish fishery. Catch rates of catfish fluctuate from survey to survey, but catch rates of anglers are consistently good. Based on data from fish surveys, the catfish are very plump. The catfish average in size from 11 inches to 24 inches. See Site Regulation below. | |
Excellent | During the most recent fish survey, 110.7 bass per hour were collected using DC electrofishing. The average catch rate since 2011 is 122.9 bass per hour and the management objective is 100 bass per hour. Based on bass collected that were larger than 8 inches, 61% were larger than 12 inches, and 28% were larger than 15 inches. Homer Lake has an excellent bass fishery. See Site Regulation below. | |
Good | Saugeye were first stocked into Homer Lake in 2016. In the spring of 2021, a night survey was completed to collect Saugeye and were collected at a rate of 18 per hour. Three Saugeye over 18 inches were collected. See Site Regulation below. | |
Improving | During the most recent fish survey, the catch rate of White Crappie increased to 161.3. The management objective is 25 to 50 White Crappie per hour. The average catch rate since 2011 is 78.3 White Crappie per hour. The majority of the White Crappie collected were between 5 and 8 inches. These fish should provide a decent fishery the next few years. | |
Location: Homer Lake is part of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD) and is located 2 miles Northwest of Homer and 15 miles Southeast of Champaign.
Description: Homer Lake is 80.8 acres and was built in 1969. The lake has a maximum depth of 24 feet and an average depth of 8.4 feet. There are two boat ramps. More information about the Homer Lake Forest Preserve can be found at the CCFPD web page .
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The IDNR Division of Fisheries has been active in the management of the fisheries in Homer Lake since the lake was constructed in 1969. The lake receives stockings of channel catfish.
Additional Lake Information: 2 pole and line fishing only. Electric motor only.
Site Regulations:
Largemouth Bass: 14" minimum length limit, 6 fish daily limit
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit
Saugeye: 14" minimum length limit, 6 fish daily limit
Contact Information: Champaign County Forest PreserveHomer Lake and general park information: 217-896-2733IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Mike Garthaus217-784-4730
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.
| 2025 Approved Tournaments | ||||||||
| Start Date | ID | Open to Public? | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? |
| October-25 | 28930 | Yes | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 25 | Crappie | No |
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