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RACCOON LAKE
Lake Information
County: Marion
Acreage: 970
Average Depth: 3.90 feet
Shoreline Length: 16.4 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.
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Poor | The size structure of the bluegill population remained poor. Approximately, 52% of the adult bluegill exceeded 6” in length but only 6% exceeded 7” in length. Despite the poor size structure, average body condition was very good (Wr=97). It is unlikely that the size structure of the bluegill population will improve, and it will likely always be hindered by the presence of gizzard shad. Anglers can expect to catch an abundance of fish 5” – 7” in length weighing 0.11 – 0.28 pounds. | |
Improving | Catfish in Raccoon Lake should continue to provide good fishing opportunities in the coming year. Average body condition improved, remaining above the lake management plan target, while the electrofishing catch rate remained stable. All the adult channel catfish sampled in 2024 were 16” or longer, and 95% were longer than 18”. Recent supplemental catfish stockings, along with the elimination of trot lining and jug fishing, should continue to help to improve the size structure of the channel catfish population in the coming years. Most channel catfish caught in 2025 will be between 2 – 5 pounds, with some fish over 7 pounds. | |
Good | Both black crappie and white crappie are present in Raccoon Lake, but white crappie remained more abundant than black crappie. Data collected from the annual population survey indicated 20% of the adult white crappie population exceeded 10” in length and an additional 35% of the adult population were between 8” – 10” in length. Average body condition remained below the minimum lake management plan target. Electrofishing catch rate remained very high at 95 per hour. Black crappie were less numerous in the 2024 sample, but their electrofishing catch rate was high at 65 per hour. Their population was in fair shape and average body condition remained above target. Approximately 5% of the adult black crappie in the sample exceeded 10” in length, a decrease from 10% in the 2023 survey. The percentage of adult black crappie exceeding 9” in length decreased from 22% in 2023 to 12% in 2024. This lake should continue to provide good crappie fishing in the coming year. Most angler catches in 2025 will likely weigh 0.15–0.50 pounds with white crappie in the 7” – 10” range and black crappie in the 8” – 9” range, and the largest fish over 1 pound. | |
Improving | Data from the 2024 population survey showed that all the population indices met, or exceeded, their target goals. The population structure remained similar to the 2023 survey, except for an increase in the percentage of bass in the 15” – 20” size class. Approximately 32% of the adult bass sampled exceeded the 15” minimum length, an increase from 19% in 2023. Average body condition for all sizes of bass remained good (Wr=94). Poor bass reproduction and recruitment continue to be a major concern in this lake. To help improve bass population numbers, over 35,500 largemouth bass fingerlings were stocked in the lake in June of 2017. Since 2017, the bass population has continued to fluctuate, but has showed signs of improvement. Hopefully these improvements will translate to more consistent and successful reproduction and recruitment in the coming years. The electrofishing catch rates have remained above the target of 60 bass per hour since 2019. For 2025, most bass over the minimum length limit will range from 15” – 20” and weigh 2.4 – 4.5 pounds. | |
Location: Raccoon Lake is located in Marion County on the East side of Centralia, Illinois approximately 1 mile north of Route 161.
Description: Raccoon Lake was constructed in 1942 to serve as a water supply reservoir for the city of Centralia. Raccoon Lake has a surface area of 970 acres, a maximum depth of 17 feet, and a mean depth of 3.9 feet. The lake has 16.4 miles of shoreline.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The sport fish population in Raccoon Lake is comprised primarily of largemouth bass, bluegill, white and black crappies, and channel catfish. Other common species include common carp, yellow and brown bullheads, and spotted sucker. The fish population is surveyed annually.
Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line fishing only. City 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, IL618-533-7625IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Boone LaHood618-393-6732
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.
2025 Approved or Pending Tournaments | ||||||||
Start Date | ID | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? | Open to Public? |
April-19 | 27230 | Approved | Public Ramp | boathook | 25 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
April-27 | 27231 | Approved | Public Ramp | boathook | 25 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
May-06 | 28624 | Approved | Public Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
May-13 | 28625 | Approved | Public Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
May-20 | 28626 | Approved | Public Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
May-27 | 28627 | Approved | Public Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-01 | 27550 | Approved | Public Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
July-01 | 28628 | Approved | Public Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
July-08 | 28629 | Approved | Public Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
July-15 | 28630 | Approved | Public Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
July-22 | 28631 | Approved | Public Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
July-29 | 28632 | Approved | Public Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
September-28 | 27558 | Approved | Public Ramp | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |