Fishing in Peoria County, Illinois
County seat: Peoria. Population 181,830.
- 9lake pages
- 6IDNR launches
- 2river pages
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What Peoria County holds for a rod and reel
County offices for Peoria County are in Peoria; the last Census put the population at 181,830.
By IDNR acreage, Lake 29 (Banner Marsh) heads the county's 9 lake pages. The IDNR fishing map and asset inventory place 6 public launches inside the county. The IDNR inventory lists 1 fishing pier for fishing without a boat. County lakes and ponds appear in 24 stocking rows of the IDNR stocking table.
Census 2020 population; IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody pages and map; IDNR lands asset inventory (2019); IDNR stocking table; read November 4, 2026.
Peoria County ramps, piers and lakes on a pin map
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Park lakes and reservoirs of Peoria County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | lake | 0 | channel catfish, walleye, bluegill | ||
| Banner Marsh Ponds | pond | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, redear sunfish | ||
| Wheel Lake (Banner Marsh) | lake | 1 | channel catfish, white bass, flathead catfish | ||
| Lake 29 (Banner Marsh) | 22 | lake | 1 | largemouth bass | |
| Brimfield Lake | 8 | 22 ft | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill |
| Charter Oak North Lake | 6 | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill | |
| Stone Water Park Ponds | pond | 0 | bluegill, emerald bowfin | ||
| Glen Oak Lagoon | 3 | lake | 0 | bluegill, channel catfish, hybrid sunfish | |
| Jubilee College Pond | 3 | pond | 0 | channel catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass |
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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Each bar counts lake pages within 50 miles of Peoria naming the fish; largemouth bass comes up most.
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.
Current and riffles in Peoria County
- Illinois River6 pool pages, 33 IDNR-mapped ramps, 10 USGS gauges
- Illinois River, LaGrange Poolpool of the Illinois River, IFishIllinois page, 10 IDNR-mapped ramps, 2 USGS gauges
What the Peoria County gauges read
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois River At Kingston Mines, Il | 8,900 cfs, 4.66 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
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.
Dated river levels near Peoria County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois River at Peoria | 11.85 ft | 5.23 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:45:00 UTC |
| Fondulac Creek near East Peoria | 2.14 ft | 0 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:45:00 UTC |
| Farm Creek at Farmdale | 0.71 ft | 0.0063 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
| Illinois River at Peoria Lock and Dam | 431.86 ft | 5.24 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 16:00:00 UTC |
| Illinois River at Chillicothe | 440.38 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
These figures were read once from the Weather Service and carry their own time stamp.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Launches across Peoria County
- Illinois River – Peoria Detweiller Marina Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Peoria PoolIllinois River, Peoria Pool, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Johnson Lake – Banner Marsh Boat Ramp on Lake 29 (Banner Marsh)Lake 29 (Banner Marsh), launch
- Illinois River – LaGrange Mendenhall Boat Ramp on Illinois River, LaGrange PoolIllinois River, LaGrange Pool, launch
- Illinois River – Peoria Chillicothe Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Peoria PoolIllinois River, Peoria Pool, launch
- Reed City Lake Boat RampReed City Lake, IDNR note: Adult non-resident fishing permit required
- Wheel Lake – Banner Marsh Boat RampWheel Lake (Banner Marsh), launch
For 1 launch launches the IDNR map names a water this site has not paged yet.
Fishing piers mapped in Peoria County
- Banner Marsh Fishing Pier on Lake 29 (Banner Marsh)fishing pier, IDNR site: Banner Marsh
County IDNR sites carry 2 boat docks as well.
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.
Fingerlings and catchables released in Peoria County
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Glen Oak Lagoon | Bluegill x Green Sunfish | 1,740 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Illinois River, LaGrange Pool | Largemouth Bass | 16,969 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | Channel Catfish | 672 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | Walleye | 48,783 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Wheel Lake (Banner Marsh) | Channel Catfish | 588 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Illinois River, LaGrange Pool | Lake Sturgeon | 1,582 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Illinois River, LaGrange Pool | Northern Pike | 10,782 | Fry |
| 2025 | Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | Channel Catfish | 812 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | Walleye | 24,131 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Wheel Lake (Banner Marsh) | Channel Catfish | 710 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Illinois River, LaGrange Pool | Largemouth Bass | 1,088,495 | Egg |
| 2024 | Illinois River, LaGrange Pool | Smallmouth Bass | 17,415 | Egg |
| 2024 | Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | Black Crappie x White Crappie | 500 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | Channel Catfish | 800 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | Muskellunge | 603 | Adult |
| 2024 | Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | Walleye | 24,323 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Wheel Lake (Banner Marsh) | Channel Catfish | 700 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Wheel Lake (Banner Marsh) | Muskellunge | 352 | Adult |
| 2023 | Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | Channel Catfish | 800 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2023 | Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | Walleye | 23,120 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Wheel Lake (Banner Marsh) | Channel Catfish | 700 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2022 | Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | Channel Catfish | 800 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | Walleye | 26,724 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Wheel Lake (Banner Marsh) | Channel Catfish | 700 | 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.
What may go on a Peoria County stringer
In Peoria County, start with the statewide limits and then check the site-specific list. A full year of Illinois fishing costs residents $15; visitors from other states pay $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 |
Site-specific rules inside Peoria County (9)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Banner Marsh Lakes & Ponds | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12) |
| Banner Marsh Lakes & Ponds | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). Sport fishermen may harvest carp, buffalo, suckers and gar by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears from May 1 through August 31. All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4) |
| Banner Marsh Lakes & Ponds | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Banner Marsh Lakes & Ponds | Large or Smallmouth Bass | Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and less than 18 inches; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Banner Marsh Lakes & Ponds | Pure Muskellunge | 42 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Banner Marsh Lakes & Ponds | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches |
| Charter Oak North – Peoria Park District Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Charter Oak North – Peoria Park District Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Charter Oak North – Peoria Park District Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Charter Oak South – Peoria Park District Pond | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Charter Oak South – Peoria Park District Pond | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Charter Oak South – Peoria Park District Pond | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Chillicothe Park District Ponds | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Chillicothe Park District Ponds | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Chillicothe Park District Ponds | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Chillicothe Park District Ponds | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Glen Oak Lagoon | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Glen Oak Lagoon | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Illinois River | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 12 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Illinois River – Pool 26 | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (11) |
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.
Record-book fish landed around Peoria County
No Peoria County water holds an IDNR record, but these nearby ones do.
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skipjack Herring | hook and line | 2 lbs 10.4 oz | Illinois River | May 11, 2022 |
| Flathead Catfish | bow and arrow | 30 lbs 0 oz | Illinois River | May 4, 2018 |
| Pumpkinseed | hook and line | 1 lb 1.92 oz | Hennepin-Hopper Lakes | June 19, 2020 |
| Brown Bullhead | hook and line | 3 lbs 4.8 oz | Thompson Lake (Emiquon) | May 8, 2017 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Tackle stops in Peoria County
Shops listed in Peoria County
- Carls Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Chillicothe
- Hosss Hawg Baitbait and tackle shop, Elmwood
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Peoriasporting goods store, Peoria
- Detweiller Marinamarina, Peoria
- Dick's Sporting Goods Peoriasporting goods store, Peoria
- Hamm's Harbor Marinamarina, Chillicothe
- National Marine Service & Rentalsmarina, Peoria Heights
- Presleys Outdoorssporting goods store, Bartonville
- Wharf Harbor Sales Incmarina, Peoria
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.
Near Peoria County
Communities around Peoria County
- Peoriapop. 113,150
- Chillicothepop. 6,128
- Bartonvillepop. 5,945
- Peoria Heightspop. 5,908
- West Peoriapop. 4,263
- Elmwoodpop. 2,058
- Bellevuepop. 1,878
- Princevillepop. 1,636
- Dunlappop. 1,603
- Hanna Citypop. 1,253
Just over the Peoria County line
- Stark County22 miles north
- Tazewell County23 miles southeast
- Knox County25 miles northwest
- Marshall County28 miles northeast
Piscifun reels to stow in the truck for Peoria County
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Fish to recognise on sight at Peoria County
Photo: Eden, Janine and Jim, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Public domain
Fishing inside Peoria County: common questions
Where can I back a trailer into water in Peoria County?
Count 6 launches, Illinois River – Peoria Detweiller Marina Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Peoria Pool among them.
Which Peoria County lake has the most acres?
Lake 29 (Banner Marsh), at 22 acres by the IDNR listing.
What should a visiting angler chase in Peoria County?
Largemouth bass tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by bluegill, channel catfish and redear sunfish.
Which shops in Peoria County stock fishing gear?
9 listed, such as Carls Bait & Tackle.
Where can kids borrow tackle in Peoria County?
None inside the county on the IDNR map.
Which town serves as seat of Peoria County?
Peoria holds the courthouse.
How much does IDNR charge to fish Peoria County water?
A full year of Illinois fishing costs residents $15; visitors from other states pay $31.50.
Which Illinois counties are a short drive from Peoria County?
Try Stark County, Tazewell County and Knox County.
Where do Peoria County limits differ from statewide?
The digest lists 9 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Banner Marsh Lakes & Ponds; the table above shows each.
Which fish did IDNR release into Peoria County lately?
The IDNR table carries 24 rows; the newest lists 48,783 Walleye, Fingerling (1 – 3") (2026) in Johnson Lake – Banner Marsh.
Give a dawn to the water of Peoria County
Each river page carries USGS data that updates itself.