Fishing in Champaign County, Illinois
County seat: Urbana. Population 205,865.
- 5lake pages
- 6IDNR launches
- 2river pages
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Fishing Champaign County by the numbers
The 2020 Census tallied 205,865 residents in Champaign County, whose courthouse stands in Urbana. On the IDNR IFishIllinois map, loaner sites here carry the IDNR fishing map's Central Illinois grouping.
Of the 5 paged lakes reaching the county, Sunset Lake (CCFPD) is biggest. IDNR counts 6 public launches for the county across its map and 2019 inventory. Stocking trucks show up in 37 stocking rows of the 2021-2026 IDNR table for the county.
Census 2020 population; IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody pages and map; IDNR lands asset inventory (2019); IDNR stocking table; read November 4, 2026.
Where the Champaign County ramps and piers sit
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Lake pages filed under Champaign County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Lake (CCFPD) | 128 | 54 ft | lake | 1 | channel catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish |
| Homer Lake (CCFPD) | 81 | 24 ft | lake | 4 | bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass |
| Lake of the Woods- CCFPD | 28 ft | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish | |
| Kaufman Lake | 10 | lake | 0 | hybrid sunfish, rainbow trout, channel catfish | |
| Crystal Lake (UPD) | 7 | lake | 0 |
Acres as listed on the IDNR IFishIllinois page (printed only where the page text gives the same size); depth only where the IDNR text states a maximum depth. Launch counts from the IDNR map and 2019 inventory; acres left blank where the IDNR page text disagrees with its listing.
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Bars show lake pages within 50 miles of Urbana that list each fish; channel catfish leads.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings, species named on IFishIllinois pages, the IDNR stocking table and state records, counted per lake page within 50 miles; not a survey of fish numbers.
Rivers winding across Champaign County
- Sangamon RiverIFishIllinois page, 5 IDNR-mapped ramps, 9 USGS gauges
- Spoon RiverIFishIllinois page, 3 USGS gauges
Creeks of Champaign County without a page (1)
- East Branch Embarras Riverriver
River and creek levels in Champaign County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Saline Branch Above 1700e Near Urbana, Il | 18 cfs, 0.41 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:30 pm |
| Sangamon River At Fisher, Il | 25 cfs, 5.00 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:15 am |
| Salt Fork Near St. Joseph, Il | 12 cfs, 3.16 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
| Spoon River Near St. Joseph, Il | 2 cfs, 3.96 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
| Copper Slough At Champaign, Il | 2 cfs, 9.88 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:15 pm |
| Boneyard Creek At Lincoln Ave At Urbana, Il | 2 cfs, 7.48 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:15 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 12:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
IDNR IFishIllinois river and pool pages, USGS GNIS names, IDNR map launches and USGS gauges (live readings); read November 4, 2026.
River stage readings around Champaign County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boneyard Creek at Urbana – Lincoln Ave. | 7.49 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:50:00 UTC |
| Boneyard Creek below Champaign – 6th St | 11.37 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
| Saline Branch above Urbana | 0.38 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Copper Slough at Champaign | 9.88 ft | 0.0017 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Salt Fork (IL) near St. Joseph | 3.2 ft | 0.0179 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:45:00 UTC |
One timed reading per gauge, copied at build time.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Trailer ramps scattered over Champaign County
- Homer Lake Main Boat RampHomer Lake (CCFPD), launch
- Homer Lake North Boat RampHomer Lake (CCFPD), launch
- Homer Lake Southeast Boat RampHomer Lake (CCFPD), launch
- Homer Lake Southwest Boat RampHomer Lake (CCFPD), launch
- Lake of the Woods Boat RampWoods Lake, launch
- Sunset Lake Boat RampSunset Lake (CCFPD), launch
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026. IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
Stocking in Champaign County
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Homer Lake (CCFPD) | Channel Catfish | 1,644 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Kaufman Lake | Bluegill x Green Sunfish | 4,074 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Kaufman Lake | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Adult |
| 2026 | Kaufman Lake | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Lake of the Woods- CCFPD | Channel Catfish | 516 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Lake of the Woods- CCFPD | Rainbow Trout | 1,170 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Lake of the Woods- CCFPD | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 8,882 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Sangamon River | Walleye | 12,792 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Sunset Lake (CCFPD) | Channel Catfish | 2,478 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Homer Lake (CCFPD) | Channel Catfish | 1,123 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Kaufman Lake | Channel Catfish | 259 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Kaufman Lake | Rainbow Trout | 800 | Adult |
| 2025 | Lake of the Woods- CCFPD | Channel Catfish | 518 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Lake of the Woods- CCFPD | Rainbow Trout | 2,268 | Adult |
| 2025 | Lake of the Woods- CCFPD | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 4,017 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Sangamon River | Walleye | 13,023 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Sunset Lake (CCFPD) | Channel Catfish | 1,742 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2024 | Homer Lake (CCFPD) | Channel Catfish | 963 | Adult |
| 2024 | Kaufman Lake | Channel Catfish | 149 | Adult |
| 2024 | Lake of the Woods- CCFPD | Channel Catfish | 302 | Adult |
| 2024 | Lake of the Woods- CCFPD | Rainbow Trout | 1,159 | Adult |
| 2024 | Lake of the Woods- CCFPD | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 2,560 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Sangamon River | Walleye | 21,784 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Sunset Lake (CCFPD) | Channel Catfish | 1,486 | Adult |
| 2023 | Homer Lake (CCFPD) | Channel Catfish | 1,605 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Lake of the Woods- CCFPD | Channel Catfish | 506 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Lake of the Woods- CCFPD | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 2,530 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Sunset Lake (CCFPD) | Channel Catfish | 2,477 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Homer Lake (CCFPD) | Channel Catfish | 1,605 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Homer Lake (CCFPD) | Redear Sunfish | 20,163 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; rows reach the county through the water they name.
Digest limits as they apply in Champaign County
Waters of Champaign County follow the statewide rows below unless the digest lists them as a site-specific water. An Illinois resident pays $15 for the annual sport fishing license, a nonresident $31.50.
| Species | Daily limit | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | 1 per 24 hours | Harvest limit is 1 Alligator Gar per 24 hours. |
| Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Other Sunfish | no limit | There are no harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Crappie (White, Black or Hybrid Crappie) | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Lake Sturgeon | no possession | Protected; No possession. |
| Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass | 6 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including Golconda Marina), and Wabash Rivers, the d |
| Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and their Hybrid | muskellunge 1, northern pike 3 | All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36" in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified u |
| Paddlefish | 2 | Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. |
| Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their Hybrids | no limit under 17 inches; 3 at 17 inches or longer | There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids, which are less than 17" in total length, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17" in total le |
| Trout and Salmon | 5 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. |
| Walleye, Sauger, or their Hybrid | 6 (combined) | All Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid (Saugeye) taken must be 14" in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Wabash River, or except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid, either |
Digest exceptions inside Champaign County (6)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Champaign Park District Lakes | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Champaign Park District Lakes | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Champaign Park District Lakes | Channel Catfish | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Champaign Park District Lakes | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Champaign Park District Lakes | Trout (Kaufman Lake) | Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8) |
| Crystal Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Crystal Lake | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Crystal Lake | Channel Catfish | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Crystal Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Homer Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Homer Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Homer Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Lake of the Woods & Elk’s Pond | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4) |
| Lake of the Woods & Elk’s Pond | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | No Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 5 Fish greater than or equal to 7 inches |
| Lake of the Woods & Elk’s Pond | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake of the Woods & Elk’s Pond | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake of the Woods & Elk’s Pond | Trout | Spring Closed Season (8) |
| Middle Fork Forest Preserve Ponds | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Middle Fork Forest Preserve Ponds | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Middle Fork Forest Preserve Ponds | Channel Catfish | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026.
IDNR record weights from Champaign County
The record list skips Champaign County, so the closest record waters follow.
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater Drum | hook and line | 38 lbs 4 oz | Clinton Lake | May 24, 2018 |
| Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | hook and line | 21 lbs 7.2 oz | Lake Bloomington | June 12, 2017 |
| Goldeye | hook and line | 2 lbs 1 oz | Embarras River | July 26, 1998 |
| Skipjack Herring | hook and line | 2 lbs 10.4 oz | Illinois River | May 11, 2022 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
IDNR tackle loaner sites in Champaign County
- Rantoul Public Library106 W. Flessner Avenue, Rantoul, (217) 893-3955
- Rantoul Recreation Dept.1306 Country Club Lane, Rantoul, (217) 893-0461
- Savoy Recreation Center402 W. Graham Drive, Savoy, (217) 359-3550
The IDNR tackle loaner program lends rods free of charge at these places.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Where Champaign County anglers buy tackle
Champaign County bait shops
- A & W Critters & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Rantoul
- Dick's Sporting Goods Champaignsporting goods store, Champaign
Yellow Pages, chain store and IDNR license vendor listings; guide and charter association pages (matched by the waters they list or their county), read November 4, 2026.
Down the county road from Champaign County
Main streets of Champaign County near water
- Champaignpop. 88,302
- Urbanapop. 38,336
- Rantoulpop. 12,371
- Mahometpop. 9,434
- Savoypop. 8,857
- St. Josephpop. 3,810
- Tolonopop. 3,604
- Fisherpop. 2,062
- Philopop. 1,392
- Sidneypop. 1,208
- Homerpop. 1,073
- Thomasboropop. 1,034
Counties around Champaign County
- Piatt County23 miles southwest
- Vermilion County25 miles east
- Douglas County26 miles south
- Ford County32 miles north
Spinning reels from Piscifun matched to Champaign County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Timber, cornfield and water around Champaign County through a lens
Photo: Roger W, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Denise Krebs, CC BY 2.0
Photo: tofu nutloaf, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Questions on Champaign County ponds, lakes and rivers
Where does a johnboat hit the water across Champaign County?
6 launches on the IDNR layers; Homer Lake Main Boat Ramp is one.
Which lake is largest in Champaign County?
Sunset Lake (CCFPD), at 128 acres by the IDNR listing.
What species do lake pages around Champaign County list?
Channel catfish tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by bluegill, largemouth bass and saugeye.
Is any crawler-and-minnow store open in Champaign County?
A & W Critters & Tackle heads a list of 2.
Is there free fishing gear to borrow in Champaign County?
IDNR lists 3 loaner sites here, starting with Rantoul Public Library in Rantoul.
Where are Champaign County county offices?
The seat is Urbana.
Which Illinois license does Champaign County fishing call for?
An Illinois resident pays $15 for the annual sport fishing license, a nonresident $31.50.
Which counties border Champaign County?
Piatt County, Vermilion County and Douglas County lie closest.
Does the digest list Champaign County lakes separately?
The digest lists 6 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Champaign Park District Lakes; the table above shows each.
Has IDNR released fish into Champaign County water?
The IDNR table carries 37 rows; the newest lists 12,792 Walleye, Fingerling (1 – 3") (2026) in Sangamon River.
Spend a Saturday on the lakes of Champaign County
Each launch page opens with a directions link.