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FRESHWATER LAKE


Lake Information

County: Knox

Acreage: 16

Average Depth: 0.00 feet

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? Yes, Portable only

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? No

Swimming? No

Picnicking? No

Camping? No


There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Fair

In 2023, The bluegill population was sampled by 86 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.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

The largemouth bass population was evaluated by 51 stock-size 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. In 2017, the bass regulation for Snakeden Hollow SFWA waters was 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 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.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Fair

The redear sunfish population was sampled by 17 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.

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: 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, 3 fish daily limit
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 25 fish daily limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 fish daily limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10"
Pure Muskellunge: Harvestable slot from 36 to 42 inches, 48 inch minimum length limit with 1 fish daily limit
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit
Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye: 3 fish daily limit

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