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CENTRALIA LAKE


Lake Information

County: Marion

Acreage: 254

Average Depth: 10.01 feet

Shoreline Length: 12.9 miles

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? Unrestricted

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? Yes

Skiing? Yes

Swimming? Yes

Picnicking? No

Camping? No


There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2021

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

1500

2022

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

1500

2022

Channel Catfish

Non-vulnerable 8 - 10"

750


Additional information for stocking on Centralia, Lake


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLACK CRAPPIE

Poor

The size structure of the black crappie population remained poor.Most black crappie were in the 7” – 9” range with no fish exceeding 10” in length. Only 7% of the adult black crappie in the sample exceeded 9” in length. Body condition remained below lake management plan target.

BLUEGILL

Good

The size structure of the population remains fair. The number of larger bluegill was well below optimal. In 2022, anglers can expect to catch an abundance of bluegill 5” – 7” in length weighing 0.1 to 0.2 pounds.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Improving

As a result of recent stocking efforts, the channel catfish population density is improving, but remains low. The current population exhibits good growth rates and body condition. Fishing in the coming year should be fair to good with the majority of fish ranging from 1 – 5 lbs.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Very Good

The overall size structure of the bass population is good and relatively stable. All of the population metrics met, or exceeded, the lake management plan targets. The percentage of adult bass in the 12” – 15” size range increased, while the percentage of bass over 15” remained constant. Approximately 31% of the adult bass in the sample exceeded the 15” minimum length limit. The catch rate was high at 104 fish per hour and was well above the goal of 60 per hour. Body condition remained stable and good. Fishing prospects for the coming year should be very good with most keeper bass ranging from 15” – 20” in length and weighing between 1.5 – 6 pounds.Site regulation: 6 fish daily limit, 15" minimum length limit.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Good

The size structure of the redear sunfish collected in 2021 was good. Approximately 38% of the adult redear were 9” or longer and 21% were 10” or longer. Expect most redear to be between 7” – 9” and 0.20 – 0.45 pounds, with some larger fish exceeding 10” and approaching 0.66 pounds.

WHITE CRAPPIE

Good

The white crappie population continued to look good. Approximately 27% of the adult white crappie in the sample exceeded 9” in length and 16 exceeded 10”. Nearly 55% of the adult white crappie in the sample were between 8” – 10”. Body condition remained below lake management plan target. Crappie fishing should be good in the coming year with the best fish ranging between 0.5 - 1.3 lbs.

Location: Centralia Lake is located in Marion County approximately 2 miles west and 5 miles south of Salem, Illinois.

Description: Centralia Lake was constructed in 1910 to serve as a water supply reservoir for the city of Centralia. Centralia Lake has a surface area of 254 acres, a maximum depth of 23 feet, and a mean depth of 10 feet. The lake has 12.9 miles of shoreline and a watershed of 734 acres.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The sport fish population in Centralia Lake is comprised primarily of largemouth bass, bluegill, white and black crappies, and channel catfish. Other common species include redear sunfish, common carp and yellow bullheads. The fish population is surveyed annually.

Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line fishing only. City of Centralia boat and tournament permits are required and can be purchased at the City Clerk’s office at 222 S. Poplar in Centralia.

Site Regulations:
Largemouth Bass: 6 fish daily limit; 15" minimum length limit
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit

Contact Information:
Centralia City Clerk’s Office
101 S. Poplar, Centralia
618-533-7625
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Boone LaHood
618-393-6732

There were 31 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2022.

Species Total Fish Caught
Largemouth Bass 864

Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:

1     6.42 lbs
2     6.35 lbs
3     6.19 lbs
4     6.10 lbs
5     5.84 lbs

Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:

1 291.26 lbs
2 185.76 lbs
3 141.65 lbs
4 114.57 lbs
5 106.80 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.

2023 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date ID Approval Ramp Location Bank/Boat
Hook/Bow
Max Boats Species Youth? Open to Public?
March-2523445ApprovedRamp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass
NoYes
April-0424196ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-1124197ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-1522748ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-1824198ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-2524199ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-0224200ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-0924201ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-1324324ApprovedRamp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
May-1624202ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-2023446ApprovedRamp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass
NoYes
May-2324203ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-3024204ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-0624205ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-1324206ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2024207ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2724208ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-0922786ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-1124209ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-1524325ApprovedRamp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-1824210ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-2524211ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-2923911ApprovedRamp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-0124212ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-0824213ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-1524214ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-2224215ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-2924216ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-0524217ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-1622924ApprovedRamp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-1722816ApprovedRamp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-0123632ApprovedRamp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo