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CENTRALIA LAKE


Lake Information

County: Marion

Acreage: 254

Average Depth: 10.00 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

2022

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

1500

2022

Channel Catfish

Non-vulnerable 8 - 10"

750

2023

Channel Catfish

Non-vulnerable 8 - 10"

1500


Additional information for stocking on Centralia, Lake


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Poor

The size structure of the bluegill population continued to remain poor. The number of larger bluegill was well below optimal (RSD-7 = 4). Many bluegill between 5” – 7” were collected, and only a single bluegill over 7.5” was sampled. In 2024, anglers can expect to catch an abundance of bluegill 5” – 7” in length weighing 0.1 to 0.25 pounds. Unfortunately, the bluegill population in this lake will likely always be hindered by the presence of gizzard shad.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Improving

As a result of recent stocking efforts, the channel catfish population density is improving. The current population exhibits good growth rates and body condition. Approximately 97% of the adult channel catfish collected in 2023 were over 14” long and 86% exceeded 18”. Fishing in the coming year should be fair to good with the majority of fish ranging from 1 – 6 pounds.

CRAPPIE

Average

The size structure of the white crappie population continued to look good, while the size structure of the black crappie population remained poor. Approximately 31% of the adult white crappie in the sample exceeded 9” in length and 20% exceeded 10”. Nearly 50% of the adult white crappie in the sample were between 8” – 10”. Most black crappie were in the 7” – 9” range with no fish exceeding 10” in length. Only 5% of the adult black crappie in the sample exceeded 9” in length. Body condition for white crappie remained poor and below the lake management plan target and black crappie body condition remained above target. Crappie fishing should be good in the coming year with the best fish ranging between 0.5 – 1.3 pounds.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Very Good

The overall size structure of the bass population was good and relatively stable. All of the population metrics met, or exceeded, the lake management plan targets. There was an increase in the number of bass under 12” collected in 2023. Approximately 25% of the adult bass in the sample exceeded the 15” minimum length limit. The catch rate was high at 131 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 bass over the minimum length limit ranging from 15” – 20” in length and weighing between 1.8 – 5 pounds.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Good

The size structure of the redear sunfish collected in 2023 was good and the electrofishing catch rate increased. Approximately 27% of the adult redear were 9” or longer and 10% were 10” or longer. Expect most redear caught to be between 7” – 10” and 0.25 – 0.65 pounds, with some larger fish exceeding 10” and approaching 0.75 pounds. Redear fishing should be good in 2024.

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 101 S. Locust, 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. Locust, Centralia
618-533-7625
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Boone LaHood
618-393-6732

There were 33 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2023.

Species Total Fish Caught
Largemouth Bass 628

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

1     6.68 lbs
2     6.51 lbs
3     6.41 lbs
4     6.00 lbs
5     5.76 lbs

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

1 127.97 lbs
2 102.35 lbs
3 91.44 lbs
4 78.75 lbs
5 71.99 lbs