Fishing in Montgomery County, Illinois
County seat: Hillsboro. Population 28,288.
- 4lake pages
- 8IDNR launches
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The basics of fishing Montgomery County
Hillsboro serves as seat of Montgomery County, a county of 28,288 people by the 2020 Census. Its tackle loaner sites sit in the IDNR fishing map's Southern Illinois grouping on the IDNR IFishIllinois map.
Lake Lou Yeager leads the 4 lake guides inside the county by surface acres. Trailer anglers can pick from 8 public launches on the IDNR layers. IDNR maps 3 fishing piers in the county for walk-up fishing. The IDNR stocking table lists 35 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 Montgomery County
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Lakes and reservoirs inside Montgomery County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Lou Yeager | 1,268 | lake | 2 | bluegill, channel catfish, white crappie | |
| Coffeen Lake | 1,102 | 58 ft | lake | 2 | largemouth bass, flathead catfish, redear sunfish |
| Lake Glenn Shoals | 1,085 | lake | 2 | bluegill, hybrid striped bass, blue catfish | |
| Hillsboro Old City Lake | 100 | lake | 1 | largemouth bass, bluegill, 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.
For the channel catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Species counted on lake pages around Montgomery County
Inside 50 miles of Hillsboro, 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.
River pages filed under Montgomery County
USGS stations streaming data from Montgomery County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Shoal Creek Near Coffeen, Il | 0 cfs, 2.02 ft gage height | Nov 13 1:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 1:33 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.
Public launches inside Montgomery County
- Coffeen Lake South Boat RampCoffeen Lake, metal/wood ramp
- Lake Glenn Shoals North Boat RampLake Glenn Shoals, IDNR note: City boat permit required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Glenn Shoals South Boat RampLake Glenn Shoals, IDNR note: City boat permit required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Lou Yeager Boat RampLake Lou Yeager, IDNR note: City boat sticker required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Lou Yeager Marina Lane Boat RampLake Lou Yeager, IDNR note: City boat sticker required to launch/boat on lake
- Coffeen Lake North Boat RampCoffeen Lake, launch
- Hillsboro Old City Lake Boat RampHillsboro Old City Lake, launch
- Litchfield City Lake Boat RampLitchfield City Lake, launch
1 launch ramps serve water that is listed here rather than paged.
Shore fishing across Montgomery County
- Coffeen Lake Office Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Coffeen Lake
- Coffeen Lake Office Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Coffeen Lake
- Coffeen Lake Office Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Coffeen Lake
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 Montgomery County waters
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Coffeen Lake | Blue Catfish | 11,031 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Lake Glenn Shoals | Blue Catfish | 8,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Lake Glenn Shoals | Largemouth Bass | 15,016 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Lake Glenn Shoals | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 13,736 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Hillsboro Old City Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,420 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Hillsboro Old City Lake | Channel Catfish | 743 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Hillsboro Old City Lake | Largemouth Bass | 2,352 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Lake Lou Yeager | Largemouth Bass | 19,086 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Coffeen Lake | Blue Catfish | 11,040 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Lake Glenn Shoals | Blue Catfish | 8,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Lake Glenn Shoals | Largemouth Bass | 15,013 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Lake Glenn Shoals | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 15,835 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Hillsboro Old City Lake | Largemouth Bass | 2,383 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Lake Lou Yeager | Largemouth Bass | 19,072 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Coffeen Lake | Blue Catfish | 11,020 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Lake Glenn Shoals | Blue Catfish | 8,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Lake Glenn Shoals | Largemouth Bass | 14,974 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Lake Glenn Shoals | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 13,930 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Hillsboro Old City Lake | Channel Catfish | 846 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Hillsboro Old City Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,269 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Hillsboro Old City Lake | Largemouth Bass | 2,536 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Lake Lou Yeager | Largemouth Bass | 19,331 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Coffeen Lake | Blue Catfish | 5,510 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Lake Glenn Shoals | Blue Catfish | 4,035 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Lake Glenn Shoals | Largemouth Bass | 15,006 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Lake Glenn Shoals | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 11,672 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Hillsboro Old City Lake | Largemouth Bass | 2,344 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Lake Lou Yeager | Largemouth Bass | 19,035 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Coffeen Lake | Blacknose Crappie | 178,750 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Coffeen Lake | Blue Catfish | 11,020 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
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 Montgomery County water
A Montgomery 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 |
Montgomery County waters carrying digest exceptions (7)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Coffeen Lake | All Fish | All jugs must be attended at all times (3) |
| Coffeen Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Coffeen Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches NOTE: EXPLANATIONS FOR NUMBERS CONTAINED IN PARENTHESIS ARE FOUND ON PAGE 12 |
| Coffeen Upland Management Pond | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Coffeen Upland Management Pond | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Coffeen Upland Management Pond | Channel Catfish | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Coffeen Upland Management Pond | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Glenn Shoals Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5) |
| Glenn Shoals Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Glenn Shoals Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Glenn Shoals Lake | Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 17 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Hillsboro Old City Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Hillsboro Old City Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Hillsboro Old City Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and less than 15 inches; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Lou Yaeger | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Lake Lou Yaeger | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Lou Yaeger | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Litchfield City Lake | 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 |
| Litchfield City Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Walton Park Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
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 Montgomery County
IDNR lists no record from Montgomery County, so the record waters within 70 miles are shown.
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead Catfish | hook and line | 81 lbs 6.4 oz | Sangchris Lake | Aug. 26, 2015 |
| Striped Bass | hook and line | 31 lbs 7 oz | Sangchris Lake | May 23, 1994 |
| Freshwater Drum | bow and arrow | 20 lbs 4 oz | Sangchris Lake | Feb. 20, 2023 |
| Shortnose Gar | bow and arrow | 9 lbs 6.2 oz | Carlyle Lake | May 22, 2016 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Free loaner tackle in Montgomery County
- Hillsboro Public Library420 S. Main Street, Hillsboro, (217) 532-3055
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 Montgomery County
Crawlers, line and lures in Montgomery County
- Docksidemarina, Raymond
- Lake Glenn Shoals Marina Landingmarina, Hillsboro
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 Montgomery County
Town fishing pages across Montgomery County
- Litchfieldpop. 6,605
- Hillsboropop. 5,902
- Nokomispop. 2,142
Counties bordering Montgomery County
- Bond County24 miles south
- Macoupin County24 miles west
- Christian County24 miles northeast
- Fayette County29 miles southeast
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on Montgomery County
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Fish to recognise on sight at Montgomery County
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Alabama Extension, CC0 1.0
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
What anglers want to know about Montgomery County water
Does Montgomery County have a public ramp on the IDNR map?
IDNR lists 8 launches; one is Coffeen Lake South Boat Ramp.
Which impoundment in Montgomery County covers the most ground?
Lake Lou Yeager, at 1,268 acres by the IDNR listing.
What swims in the lakes near Montgomery County?
Channel catfish tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by bluegill, largemouth bass and flathead catfish.
Where does a Montgomery County angler buy crawlers and minnows?
Try Dockside; 2 are listed.
Does Montgomery County have an IDNR tackle loaner site?
IDNR lists 1 loaner site here, starting with Hillsboro Public Library in Hillsboro.
Which town runs Montgomery County county business?
County government sits in Hillsboro.
How much does a nonresident pay to fish in Montgomery County?
IDNR sells the yearly fishing license for $15 (resident) and $31.50 (nonresident).
Which counties lie a short drive past Montgomery County?
Closest by centre point: Bond County, Macoupin County and Christian County.
Which site-specific entries reach Montgomery County?
The digest lists 7 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Coffeen Lake; the table above shows each.
Are Montgomery County lakes stocked?
The IDNR table carries 35 rows; the newest lists 19,086 Largemouth Bass, Fingerling (1 – 3") (2026) in Lou Yeager, Lake.
Give Montgomery County water a whole weekend
Lake pages carry launches, IDNR ratings and digest rules.