Location: Freshwater Lake is part of the 2,500 acre Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area located near Victoria, Illinois. It can be reached from Parking Area (D) off of County Highway 28 approximately 2 miles Southeast of Victoria.

Description: Freshwater Lake is a 16 acre strip-mine lake with a maximum depth of 43 feet and 1.1 miles of shoreline.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Recent past surveys:

In 2020, a late summer D.C. electrofishing survey was used to evaluate the fish population.

The largemouth bass population was evaluated by 114 bass from electrofishing. The largemouth bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 2 to 16 inches in length with an average Relative weight average of 99. In 2017, the bass regulation for Snakeden Hollow SFWA waters were changed from a 3 fish daily harvest limit with only 1 fish greater than or equal to 15 inches, to a protected slot length limit from 14 to 18 inches with 3 fish daily harvest limit. The goal of the new bass regulation is to increase the density of the bass population from 14 to 18 inches.

This increased bass density should help create a population that is composed of fish large enough to be efficient predators upon the panfish population. The benefit to bass anglers will be more fish surviving past 15 inches to catch, and for the anglers wanting to harvest bass will be the opportunity to still harvest fish under 14 inches.

The bluegill population was sampled by 116 fish in the electrofishing survey. The current bluegill population is rated as poor with the larger fish up to 7.0 inches in length. This population is of high density and in average body condition with the Relative weight average at 88.

The redear sunfish population was sampled by 11 fish in the electrofishing survey. The current redear population is rated as poor with the larger fish over 8.0 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition with the Relative weight average at 100.

In 2017, the bluegill and redear sunfish regulation was changed from a 10 fish daily harvest limit to a 25 fish daily harvest limit. This change will allow anglers the ability to harvest more bluegill and redear sunfish per daily visit to Snakeden Hollow SFWA waters.

In 2020, the black crappie population was not sampled in the electrofishing survey.

In 2017, the crappie regulation was changed from a 5 fish daily harvest limit, to a 25 fish daily harvest limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches. The goal of the new regulation is to allow the harvest of more of the slower growing black crappie, while maintaining and promoting the population structure of crappie over 10 inches in length.

In 2020, the channel catfish population was sampled by 1 fish in the electrofishing survey at 19.5 inches in length. This population is believed to be of low density and in good body condition. The last stocking of channel catfish was in 2008. None are scheduled for the future.

Additional Lake Information: The fishing regulations are identical to the rest of the Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area site:
All Fish - 2 pole and line fishing only.

Large or Smallmouth Bass: Protected Slot Length Limit from 14 to 18 inches with 3 fish daily harvest limit.

Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 25 fish Daily Harvest Limit.

White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches.

Pure Muskellunge: Harvestable slot from 36 to 42 inches, and 48 inch minimum length limit with 1 fish daily harvest limit.

Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily harvest limit.

Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye: 3 fish daily harvest limit.

Contact Information:
Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area
(309) 879-2607
Rob Hilsabeck, IDNR Fisheries
(309) 446-9143