Fishing in McLean County, Illinois
County seat: Bloomington. Population 170,954.
- 7lake pages
- 5IDNR launches
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Fishing McLean County by the numbers
The 2020 Census tallied 170,954 residents in McLean County, whose courthouse stands in Bloomington. On the IDNR IFishIllinois map, loaner sites here carry the IDNR fishing map's Central Illinois grouping.
Of the 7 paged lakes reaching the county, Evergreen Lake is biggest. IDNR counts 5 public launches for the county across its map and 2019 inventory. The 2019 IDNR list shows 1 fishing pier inside the county. Stocking trucks show up in 58 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 McLean 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 McLean County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evergreen Lake | 925 | 50 ft | lake | 2 | saugeye, largemouth bass, muskellunge |
| Lake Bloomington | 635 | 36 ft | lake | 1 | channel catfish, hybrid striped bass, walleye |
| Dawson Lake (MVSRA) | 161 | 25.5 ft | lake | 2 | black crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish |
| White Oaks Lake | 18 ft | lake | 0 | channel catfish | |
| Miller Park Lake | 16 | 28 ft | lake | 0 | hybrid sunfish, channel catfish, rainbow trout |
| Heyworth Centennial Lake | 7 | lake | 0 | channel catfish | |
| Holiday Park Lake | 6 | lake | 0 | channel catfish |
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 Bloomington 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 McLean County
River and creek levels in McLean County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Creek Near Bloomington, Il | 38 cfs, 1.04 ft gage height | Nov 11 9:15 pm |
| Little Kickapoo Creek Near Heyworth, Il | 4 cfs, 3.30 ft gage height | Nov 11 9:15 pm |
| Sixmile Creek At Hudson, Il | 7 cfs, 11.58 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:15 pm |
| Money Creek Near Towanda, Il | 8 cfs, 14.69 ft gage height | Nov 11 9:15 pm |
| Kickapoo Creek Near Bloomington, Il | 4.81 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 9:33 pm 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 McLean County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Creek (Central IL) near Bloomington | 0.97 ft | 0.0293 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Kickapoo Creek near Bloomington | 4.85 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 17:45:00 UTC |
| Little Kickapoo Creek near Heyworth | 3.31 ft | 0.0042 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Kickapoo Creek at Waynesville | 2.67 ft | 0.0271 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Mackinaw River near Congerville | 1.21 ft | 0.066 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 17:45:00 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 McLean County
- Dawson Lake Boat RampDawson Lake (MVSRA), launch
- Evergreen Lake Boat Ramp-Comlara Park AccessEvergreen Lake, IDNR note: Fee and boat sticker required to launch/boat on lake
- Evergreen Lake Boat Ramp-White Oak AccessEvergreen Lake, IDNR note: Fee and boat sticker required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Bloomington Boat RampLake Bloomington, IDNR note: City permit required to launch/boat on lake
- Dawson Lake Campground Boat RampDawson Lake (MVSRA), launch
Walk-in fishing in McLean County
- Honkers Island Fishing Pier on Dawson Lake (MVSRA)fishing pier, IDNR site: Moraine View
The 2019 IDNR inventory also counts 1 boat dock in the county.
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 McLean County
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lake Bloomington | Walleye | 24,549 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Dawson Lake (MVSRA) | Channel Catfish | 3,160 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Dawson Lake (MVSRA) | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 14,443 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Evergreen Lake | Muskellunge | 649 | Adult |
| 2026 | Evergreen Lake | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 37,779 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Heyworth Centennial Lake | Channel Catfish | 277 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Holiday Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 150 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Miller Park Lake | Bluegill x Green Sunfish | 2,940 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Miller Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 684 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Miller Park Lake | Rainbow Trout | 709 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | White Oaks Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,269 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Lake Bloomington | Walleye | 24,247 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Dawson Lake (MVSRA) | Channel Catfish | 3,168 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Dawson Lake (MVSRA) | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 11,859 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Evergreen Lake | Muskellunge | 661 | Adult |
| 2025 | Evergreen Lake | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 41,418 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Heyworth Centennial Lake | Channel Catfish | 288 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Holiday Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 150 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Miller Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 684 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | White Oaks Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,269 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Lake Bloomington | Largemouth Bass | 550 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Lake Bloomington | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 10,659 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Lake Bloomington | Walleye | 22,880 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Dawson Lake (MVSRA) | Channel Catfish | 1,265 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Dawson Lake (MVSRA) | Channel Catfish | 1,896 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Dawson Lake (MVSRA) | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 10,477 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Evergreen Lake | Muskellunge | 932 | Adult |
| 2024 | Evergreen Lake | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 56,441 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Evergreen Lake | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 426,000 | Not Specified |
| 2024 | Heyworth Centennial Lake | Channel Catfish | 167 | 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 McLean County
Waters of McLean 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 McLean County (8)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington Park District Lakes | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Bloomington Park District Lakes | Channel Catfish | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Bloomington Park District Lakes | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Boyd-Wesley Park Pond | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Boyd-Wesley Park Pond | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Boyd-Wesley Park Pond | Channel Catfish | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Boyd-Wesley Park Pond | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Dawson Lake & Park Ponds | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). Sport fishermen may take carp from boat by bow and arrow and bow and arrow devices, but not within 150 feet of any developed recreation areas |
| Dawson Lake & Park Ponds | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 20 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 5 Fish greater than or equal to 8 inches |
| Dawson Lake & Park Ponds | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Dawson Lake & Park Ponds | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 15 inches and 2 Fish less than 15 inches |
| Dawson Lake & Park Ponds | 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 |
| Dawson Lake & Park Ponds | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Evergreen Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5). All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4) |
| Evergreen Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Evergreen Lake | Pure Muskellunge | 48 inch Minimum Length Limit (10) |
| Evergreen Lake | Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Evergreen Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 5 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches |
| Heyworth Centennial Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Heyworth Centennial Lake | 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 McLean County
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | hook and line | 21 lbs 7.2 oz | Lake Bloomington | June 12, 2017 |
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 McLean County
- McLean County Parks and Recreation13001 Recreation Area Drive, Hudson, (309) 434-6770
- Heartland Community College1500 W. Raab Road, Normal, (309) 268-8513
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 McLean County anglers buy tackle
McLean County bait shops
- Lounge Sport and Baitbait and tackle shop, Bloomington
- Smiley's Sports Shop Incbait and tackle shop, Bloomington
- Dick's Sporting Goods Bloomingtonsporting goods store, Bloomington
- Mucky Duck Marinamarina, Hudson
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 McLean County
Main streets of McLean County near water
- Bloomingtonpop. 78,680
- Normalpop. 52,736
- Le Roypop. 3,512
- Heyworthpop. 2,791
- Lexingtonpop. 2,090
- Hudsonpop. 1,753
- Chenoapop. 1,720
- Gridleypop. 1,456
- Downspop. 1,201
- Danverspop. 1,089
Counties around McLean County
- DeWitt County22 miles south
- Woodford County28 miles northwest
- Livingston County32 miles northeast
- Ford County33 miles east
Spinning reels from Piscifun matched to McLean County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
A photo field guide to McLean County fish
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Richard Hurd, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Argyleist, CC BY 2.0
Questions on McLean County ponds, lakes and rivers
Where does a johnboat hit the water across McLean County?
5 launches on the IDNR layers; Dawson Lake Boat Ramp is one.
Which lake is largest in McLean County?
Evergreen Lake, at 925 acres by the IDNR listing.
What species do lake pages around McLean County list?
Channel catfish tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, bluegill and redear sunfish.
Is any crawler-and-minnow store open in McLean County?
Lounge Sport and Bait heads a list of 4.
Is there free fishing gear to borrow in McLean County?
IDNR lists 2 loaner sites here, starting with McLean County Parks and Recreation in Hudson.
Where are McLean County county offices?
The seat is Bloomington.
Which Illinois license does McLean County fishing call for?
An Illinois resident pays $15 for the annual sport fishing license, a nonresident $31.50.
Which counties border McLean County?
DeWitt County, Woodford County and Livingston County lie closest.
Does the digest list McLean County lakes separately?
The digest lists 8 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Bloomington Park District Lakes; the table above shows each.
Has IDNR released fish into McLean County water?
The IDNR table carries 58 rows; the newest lists 37,779 Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye), Fingerling (1 – 3") (2026) in Evergreen Lake.
Which IDNR records trace to McLean County?
Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper), 21 lbs 7.2 oz, June 12, 2017 (hook and line), from Bloomington, Lake.
Spend a Saturday on the lakes of McLean County
Each launch page opens with a directions link.