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COFFEEN LAKE


Lake Information

County: Montgomery

Acreage: 1102

Average Depth: 18.70 feet

Shoreline Length: 47.9 miles

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? 25hp

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? No

Swimming? No

Picnicking? Yes

Camping? Yes


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Maps are not intended for navigation.


There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2023

Blue Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

5510

2024

Blue Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

11020


Additional information for stocking on Coffeen Lake


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUE CATFISH

Developing

Blue catfish are now being stocked to create a new trophy catfish fishery.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Good

Numbers of channel catfish are not really seen in the fall survey, but the fish that were sampled were healthy, and angler reports indicate that they remain a popular target species. Site regulation: All jugs must be attended at all times while fishing.

CRAPPIE

Very Good

Crappie are a popular sport fishery at this lake. Since the power plant has gone offline, black crappie reproduction has stabilized, with several years of high recruitment years showing up. Many fish sampled were over the 10" minimum, but there is a large number of 'shorts' coming up behind them. If this trend continues, expect to see a regulation change in the future to increase angler harvest.

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Excellent

Though numbers are uncertain, we capture one or two large individuals each year. From talking to anglers and reading articles, good numbers of this species are caught, with some much larger than 50 pounds.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Excellent

Coffeen Lake has a solid largemouth bass fishery in place. Reproduction has improved, and fish appear to be recruiting well into larger sizes. The numbers were very good in this survey and have been very consistent in recent years. The size structure of the bass continues to improve with a high percentage of fish reaching 15 inches and many reaching 18 inches. For this reason Coffeen has become an incredibly popular tournament destination. Site regulation:15" minimum length limit; 3 fish daily limit.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Fair

The redear sunfish numbers and size quality were not as good in this year’s survey but this species may provide a quality panfish opportunity in a lake with a very poor bluegill population.

Location: Coffeen Lake is located in southeast Montgomery County, seven miles southeast of Hillsboro, IL.

Description: Coffeen Lake is 1,102 acres with a shoreline length of 47.9 miles, a watershed of 11,001 acres, a maximum depth of 58 feet, and an average depth 18.7 feet. The lake is under a management agreement between The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Illinois Power Generating Company for outdoor recreation and conservation purposes. The lake is a cooling facility for Illinois Power Generating Company's coal-fired power station.

Motors of 25 horsepower or less are allowed to operate on the Coffeen Lake. (Boats with larger motors are allowed, but are restricted to trolling motor operation only.) Motors larger than 25 horsepower can be used for loading and unloading a trailered watercraft, provided the watercraft is operated at a no-wake speed within 150 feet of the loading ramp.

There are two concrete boat ramps, with one at the far north end of the lake, and the main ramp near the site office. There is no concession stand on the site, but gear can be acquired at a private business just west of the site office.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Approximately 20 species have been collected on this water body. Coffeen Lake now receives periodic stockings of black crappie; the pure striped bass stockings have been discontinued due to an increase in water temperatures.

Additional Lake Information: Coffeen Lake has a 25 hp out-board motor limit. There are two concrete boat ramps, with one at the far north end of the lake, and the main ramp near the site office. There is no concession stand on the site, but gear can be acquired at a private business just west of the site office.

Site Regulations
Largemouth or Smallmouth Bass: 15" minimum length limit; 3 fish daily limit
Crappie — black, white, or hybrid: 10” minimum length limit; 10 fish daily limit

Angler must be in attendance when jug fishing.

Contact Information:
Coffeen Lake
217-537-3351
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Tad Locher
217-720-0235

There were 24 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2023.

Species Total Fish Caught
Largemouth Bass 1368

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

1     481.00 lbs
2     5.94 lbs
3     5.72 lbs
4     5.66 lbs
5     5.62 lbs

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

1 452.19 lbs
2 404.00 lbs
3 248.70 lbs
4 247.06 lbs
5 228.48 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.

2024–2025 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date ID Approval Ramp Location Bank/Boat
Hook/Bow
Max Boats Species Youth? Open to Public?
November-1027188Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoYes
December-0127189Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoYes
December-1527190Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoYes
March-1527501Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
March-3027617Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-0627233Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
YesYes
April-1227375Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-1827692Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
19Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-1927984Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
May-0427962Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-1827794Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-2227458Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
19Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-2227618Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-2627482Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-1727670Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-0727488Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
19Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-13
*September-14
27683Pendingnorth ramp 6th Ave. boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-1427963Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoYes
October-1827693Pendingsouth ramp 4th Ave. boat
hook
19Largemouth Bass
NoNo