Fishing in DeWitt County, Illinois
County seat: Clinton. Population 15,516.
- 2lake pages
- 7IDNR launches
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The basics of fishing DeWitt County
Clinton serves as seat of DeWitt County, a county of 15,516 people by the 2020 Census. Its tackle loaner sites sit in the IDNR fishing map's Central Illinois grouping on the IDNR IFishIllinois map.
Clinton Lake leads the 2 lake guides inside the county by surface acres. Trailer anglers can pick from 7 public launches on the IDNR layers. IDNR maps 9 fishing piers in the county for walk-up fishing. The IDNR stocking table lists 36 stocking rows for waters in the county from 2021 to 2026.
Census 2020 population; IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody pages and map; IDNR lands asset inventory (2019); IDNR stocking table; read November 4, 2026.
Pin map of the fishing spots in DeWitt County
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Lakes and reservoirs inside DeWitt County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton Lake | 4,895 | 60 ft | lake | 6 | largemouth bass, walleye, blue catfish |
| Weldon Springs | 29 | 38 ft | lake | 1 | redear sunfish, bluegill, black crappie |
The shortest drives from Clinton to lake guides beyond DeWitt County follow.
| Lake | From Clinton | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heyworth Centennial Lake | 12 miles north | 7 | lake | 0 | channel catfish | |
| Mt. Pulaski Park District Lake | 19 miles southwest | 6 ft | lake | 0 | channel catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish | |
| Lake Decatur | 20 miles south | 2,905 | 24 ft | lake | 5 | hybrid striped bass, flathead catfish, freshwater drum |
| Dreamland Pond | 21 miles south | 1 | 6 ft | pond | 0 | hybrid sunfish, bluegill |
| Holiday Park Lake | 22 miles north | 6 | lake | 0 | channel catfish | |
| Miller Park Lake | 22 miles north | 16 | 28 ft | lake | 0 | hybrid sunfish, channel catfish, rainbow trout |
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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Inside 50 miles of Clinton, channel catfish appears on more lake pages than any other fish.
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.
Stage and flow notes near DeWitt County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Creek (IL) near Rowell | 9.22 ft | 0.0258 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| North Fork Salt Creek (IL) near De Witt | 691.52 ft | 0.0785 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Kickapoo Creek at Waynesville | 2.67 ft | 0.0271 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Little Kickapoo Creek near Heyworth | 3.31 ft | 0.0042 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Salt Creek (IL) near Farmer City | 689.56 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
The Weather Service values show the time they were taken and do not refresh.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Public launches inside DeWitt County
- Clinton Lake Barefoot Cove Marina Boat RampClinton Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Clinton Lake Mascoutin Boat RampClinton Lake, launch
- Clinton Lake North Fork Boat RampClinton Lake, launch
- Clinton Lake Parnell Access Boat RampClinton Lake, concrete ramp
- Clinton Lake Weldon Access Boat RampClinton Lake, concrete ramp
- Weldon Springs Boat RampWeldon Springs, launch
- Clinton Lake Boat Ramp – West Side Day Use AccessClinton Lake, launch
Shore fishing across DeWitt County
- Clinton Lake Sra Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Birkbeck
- Lakeview Fishing Pier on Weldon Springsfishing pier, IDNR site: Weldon Springs
- Mascoutin Fishing Pier on Clinton Lakefishing pier, IDNR site: Clinton Lake
- Parnell Boat Access Area on Clinton Lakefishing pier, IDNR site: Clinton Lake
- Route 10 Cove Fishing Pier on Clinton Lakefishing pier, IDNR site: Clinton Lake
- Spillway Access Area on Weldon Springsfishing pier, IDNR site: Weldon Springs
- Veterans Point Fishing Pier on Weldon Springsfishing pier, IDNR site: Weldon Springs
- Weldon Springs Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Weldon Springs
- Valley Mill Fishing Accessfishing pier, IDNR site: Birkbeck
The asset list adds 12 boat docks and 4 fish cleaning stations.
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 table rows for DeWitt County waters
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Clinton Lake | Blue Catfish | 49,036 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Clinton Lake | Walleye | 244,134 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Weldon Springs | Channel Catfish | 725 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Weldon Springs | Rainbow Trout | 1,400 | Adult |
| 2026 | Weldon Springs | Rainbow Trout | 2,800 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Weldon Springs | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 8,186 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Clinton Lake | Blue Catfish | 47,590 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Clinton Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 5,966 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Clinton Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 77,095 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Clinton Lake | Walleye | 238,629 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Weldon Springs | Channel Catfish | 734 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Weldon Springs | Rainbow Trout | 1,680 | Adult |
| 2025 | Weldon Springs | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 4,830 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Clinton Lake | Black Crappie | 12,860 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Clinton Lake | Black Crappie | 8,068 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Clinton Lake | Blue Catfish | 48,950 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Clinton Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 73,030 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Clinton Lake | Walleye | 236,550 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Weldon Springs | Channel Catfish | 300 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Weldon Springs | Channel Catfish | 435 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Weldon Springs | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 3,658 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Clinton Lake | Black Crappie | 13,714 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Clinton Lake | Black Crappie | 5,300 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Clinton Lake | Blue Catfish | 26,933 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Clinton Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 61,868 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Clinton Lake | Walleye | 160,346 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Clinton Lake | White Crappie | 44,060 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Weldon Springs | Channel Catfish | 725 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Weldon Springs | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 5,060 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Clinton Lake | Blacknose Crappie | 20,235 | 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.
The 2026 digest rows for DeWitt County water
A DeWitt County water without a digest entry uses these statewide limits. IDNR sells the yearly fishing license for $15 (resident) and $31.50 (nonresident).
| 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 |
DeWitt County waters carrying digest exceptions (2)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Clinton Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (2). Sport fishermen shall be allowed to use trotlines, jugs, and bank poles in the portions of the lake that lie north of the Route 54 Railroad Bridge and northeast of the Route 48 Bridge. All jugs must be attended at all times (3). Sport fishermen may take carp, ca |
| Clinton Lake | Blue or Channel Catfish | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Clinton Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 16 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Clinton Lake | Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 3 Fish greater than or equal to 17 inches |
| Clinton Lake | Walleye | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Clinton Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches and 5 Fish less than 10 inches |
| Weldon Springs Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Weldon Springs Lake | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 5 Fish greater than or equal to 7 inches |
| Weldon Springs Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Weldon Springs Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Weldon Springs Lake | Trout | Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8) |
| Weldon Springs Lake | Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 20 inches |
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.
The heaviest Illinois fish near DeWitt County
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater Drum | hook and line | 38 lbs 4 oz | Clinton Lake | May 24, 2018 |
| Green Sunfish | hook and line | 2 lbs 1 oz | Farm Pond | June 28, 1981 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Tournament launches in DeWitt County
Organizers list 3 events on DeWitt County water, with 0 still coming.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | IHSA Bass Fishing Sectional at Clinton Lake (2025-26) | Clinton Lake | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
| June 29, 2025 | IBN Team Series Clinton Lake 2025 | Clinton Lake | Illinois B.A.S.S. Nation |
| May 22, 2025 | IHSA Bass Fishing Sectional at Clinton Lake (2024-25) | Clinton Lake | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
Organizer schedule and results pages (IDNR publishes no tournament calendar), checked November 2026.
Free loaner tackle in DeWitt County
- Weldon Springs State Park4734 Weldon Springs Road, Clinton, (217) 935-0307
IDNR runs these as free rod and reel loans, mostly at libraries, parks and offices.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Buying bait inside DeWitt County
Crawlers, line and lures in DeWitt County
- Green Acres Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Clinton
- Clinton Lake Marinamarina, Weldon
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.
Inside a cornfield drive of DeWitt County
Town fishing pages across DeWitt County
- Clintonpop. 7,004
- Farmer Citypop. 1,828
Counties bordering DeWitt County
- Piatt County20 miles southeast
- McLean County22 miles north
- Macon County22 miles south
- Logan County25 miles west
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on DeWitt County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
The ponds and rivers around DeWitt County, photographed
Photo: Dave Wright, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Denise Krebs, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
What anglers want to know about DeWitt County water
Does DeWitt County have a public ramp on the IDNR map?
IDNR lists 7 launches; one is Clinton Lake Barefoot Cove Marina Boat Ramp.
Which impoundment in DeWitt County covers the most ground?
Clinton Lake, at 4,895 acres by the IDNR listing.
What swims in the lakes near DeWitt County?
Channel catfish tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, bluegill and rainbow trout.
Where does a DeWitt County angler buy crawlers and minnows?
Try Green Acres Bait Shop; 2 are listed.
Does DeWitt County have an IDNR tackle loaner site?
IDNR lists 1 loaner site here, starting with Weldon Springs State Park in Clinton.
Which town runs DeWitt County county business?
County government sits in Clinton.
How much does a nonresident pay to fish in DeWitt County?
IDNR sells the yearly fishing license for $15 (resident) and $31.50 (nonresident).
Which counties lie a short drive past DeWitt County?
Closest by centre point: Piatt County, McLean County and Macon County.
How many trail events list DeWitt County water?
Organizers posted 3 events for this county, and none is scheduled ahead yet.
Which site-specific entries reach DeWitt County?
The digest lists 2 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Clinton Lake; the table above shows each.
Are DeWitt County lakes stocked?
The IDNR table carries 36 rows; the newest lists 244,134 Walleye, Fingerling (1 – 3") (2026) in Clinton Lake.
Which IDNR record lines name DeWitt County?
Freshwater Drum, 38 lbs 4 oz, May 24, 2018 (hook and line), from Clinton Lake.
Give DeWitt County water a whole weekend
Lake pages carry launches, IDNR ratings and digest rules.