Fishing in Tazewell County, Illinois
County seat: Pekin. Population 131,343.
- 9lake pages
- 10IDNR launches
- 1river pages
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What Tazewell County holds for a rod and reel
County offices for Tazewell County are in Pekin; the last Census put the population at 131,343.
By IDNR acreage, Powerton Lake heads the county's 9 lake pages. The IDNR fishing map and asset inventory place 10 public launches inside the county. The IDNR inventory lists 2 fishing piers for fishing without a boat. County lakes and ponds appear in 82 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.
Tazewell 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 Tazewell County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powerton Lake | 1,426 | lake | 1 | blue catfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish | |
| Spring Lake (South) | 610 | lake | 2 | channel catfish, northern pike | |
| Spring Lake (North) | lake | 2 | muskellunge, largemouth bass, channel catfish | ||
| Brock Lake | 10 | lake | 1 | channel catfish, bluegill, black crappie | |
| Mineral Springs Park Lagoon | 7 | 8 ft | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, rainbow trout, channel catfish |
| Bowen Lake | 6 | lake | 1 | largemouth bass, black crappie, redear sunfish | |
| Lakewood Park Pond | pond | 0 | bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish | ||
| Mackinaw Big Pond | 2 | pond | 0 | largemouth bass, channel catfish | |
| Mackinaw Pond #2 | 1 | pond | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish |
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 Pekin naming the fish; channel catfish 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 Tazewell County
- Mackinaw River3 USGS gauges
Named creeks of Tazewell County still without a guide (1)
- Little Mackinaw Riverriver
What the Tazewell County gauges read
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Mackinaw River Near Green Valley, Il | 104 cfs, 13.74 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
| Farm Creek At Farmdale, Il | 4 cfs, 0.62 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:00 am |
| Fondulac Creek Near East Peoria, Il | 0 cfs, 1.37 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 Tazewell County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois River at Peoria Lock and Dam | 431.86 ft | 5.24 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 16:00:00 UTC |
| Mackinaw River near Green Valley | 13.85 ft | 0.134 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 17:45:00 UTC |
| Illinois River at Kingston Mines | 3.52 ft | 6.47 kcfs | not defined | 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 |
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 Tazewell County
- Powerton Lake Boat RampPowerton Lake, IDNR note: Gasoline motors required
- Skyranch Boat Ramp on Spring Lake (North)Spring Lake (North), gravel ramp
- Spring Lake (North) Boat RampSpring Lake (South), concrete ramp
- Spring Lake (South) Boat RampSpring Lake (South), concrete ramp
- Bowen Lake Boat RampBowen Lake, launch
- Brock Lake Boat RampBrock Lake, launch
- Illinois River – LaGrange Pekin Boat Ramp on Illinois River, LaGrange PoolIllinois River, LaGrange Pool, launch
- Illinois River – Peoria Creve Coeur Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Peoria PoolIllinois River, Peoria Pool, launch
- Illinois River – Peoria East Peoria Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Peoria PoolIllinois River, Peoria Pool, launch
- Spring Lake (North) State Park Drive Boat RampSpring Lake (North), launch
Fishing piers mapped in Tazewell County
- Pike Hole Fishing Dock on Spring Lake (South)fishing pier, IDNR site: Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery
- Powerton Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Powerton Lake
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 Tazewell County
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Brock Lake | Channel Catfish | 250 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Lakewood Park Pond | Bluegill | 8,526 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Lakewood Park Pond | Redear Sunfish | 1,824 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Mackinaw Big Pond | Channel Catfish | 100 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Mackinaw River | Northern Pike | 779 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Mineral Springs Park Lagoon | All Sunfish spp. exc. BSS/CRP | 540 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Mineral Springs Park Lagoon | Largemouth Bass | 90 | Adult |
| 2026 | Mineral Springs Park Lagoon | Rainbow Trout | 1,479 | Adult |
| 2026 | Powerton Lake | All Sunfish spp. exc. BSS/CRP | 300 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Powerton Lake | Blue Catfish | 34,277 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Powerton Lake | Largemouth Bass | 260 | Adult |
| 2026 | Powerton Lake | Largemouth Bass | 266 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Powerton Lake | Smallmouth Bass | 125,761 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Spring Lake (North) | Muskellunge | 17,388 | Fry |
| 2025 | Bowen Lake | Channel Catfish | 120 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Lakewood Park Pond | Bluegill | 2,800 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Lakewood Park Pond | Channel Catfish | 406 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Lakewood Park Pond | Redear Sunfish | 1,095 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Mackinaw Big Pond | Channel Catfish | 101 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Mineral Springs Park Lagoon | Channel Catfish | 710 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Mineral Springs Park Lagoon | Rainbow Trout | 460 | Adult |
| 2025 | Powerton Lake | Black Crappie | 15,377 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Powerton Lake | Black Crappie | 67,795 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Powerton Lake | Blue Catfish | 22,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Powerton Lake | Largemouth Bass | 285 | Adult |
| 2025 | Powerton Lake | Smallmouth Bass | 540 | Adult |
| 2025 | Powerton Lake | Smallmouth Bass | 4,736 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Powerton Lake | Smallmouth Bass | 77,532 | Egg |
| 2025 | Powerton Lake | Smallmouth Bass | 83,114 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Powerton Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 25,651 | 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.
What may go on a Tazewell County stringer
In Tazewell 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 Tazewell County (8)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Bowen Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Bowen Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Bowen 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 |
| Brock Lake | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Brock Lake | Channel Catfish | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Brock 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 with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 15 inches and 2 Fish less than 12 inches |
| Lakewood Park | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Lakewood Park | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lakewood Park | Channel Catfish | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lakewood Park | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mackinaw Ponds 1 & 2 | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mackinaw Ponds 1 & 2 | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mineral Springs Park Lagoon | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Mineral Springs Park Lagoon | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mineral Springs Park Lagoon | Trout | Fall Closed Season (7) |
| Powerton Lake | Recreational Use Restrictions Powerton Lake shall be closed to boat traffic except for legal waterfowl hunters from one week prior to regular waterfowl season to February 15, and closed to all unauthorized entry during regular Canada goose and duck season. | |
| Powerton Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Powerton Lake | Blue, Channel, or Flathead Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 35 inches |
| Powerton Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Powerton 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 |
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 Tazewell County
No Tazewell 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 |
| Brown Bullhead | hook and line | 3 lbs 4.8 oz | Thompson Lake (Emiquon) | May 8, 2017 |
| 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.
Tackle stops in Tazewell County
Shops listed in Tazewell County
- Big City Fishing Gear, LLCbait and tackle shop, Tremont
- J & J Riverside Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Pekin
- Bass Pro Shops East Peoriasporting goods store, East Peoria
- EastPort Marinamarina, East Peoria
- spindler marinamarina, East 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 Tazewell County
Communities around Tazewell County
- Pekinpop. 31,731
- East Peoriapop. 22,484
- Mortonpop. 17,117
- Washingtonpop. 16,071
- Creve Coeurpop. 4,934
- Marquette Heightspop. 2,541
- Tremontpop. 2,277
- Mackinawpop. 1,879
- Delavanpop. 1,568
- North Pekinpop. 1,478
- Minierpop. 1,154
Just over the Tazewell County line
- Peoria County23 miles northwest
- Woodford County25 miles northeast
- Logan County27 miles south
- Mason County28 miles southwest
Piscifun reels to stow in the truck for Tazewell County
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Timber, cornfield and water around Tazewell County through a lens
Photo: Richie Diesterheft, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Denise Krebs, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Wizard298, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Fishing inside Tazewell County: common questions
Where can I back a trailer into water in Tazewell County?
Count 10 launches, Powerton Lake Boat Ramp among them.
Which Tazewell County lake has the most acres?
Powerton Lake, at 1,426 acres by the IDNR listing.
What should a visiting angler chase in Tazewell County?
Channel catfish tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, bluegill and redear sunfish.
Which shops in Tazewell County stock fishing gear?
5 listed, such as Big City Fishing Gear, LLC.
Where can kids borrow tackle in Tazewell County?
None inside the county on the IDNR map.
Which town serves as seat of Tazewell County?
Pekin holds the courthouse.
How much does IDNR charge to fish Tazewell 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 Tazewell County?
Try Peoria County, Woodford County and Logan County.
Where do Tazewell County limits differ from statewide?
The digest lists 8 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Bowen Lake; the table above shows each.
Which fish did IDNR release into Tazewell County lately?
The IDNR table carries 82 rows; the newest lists 125,761 Smallmouth Bass, Fingerling (1 – 3") (2026) in Powerton Lake.
Give a dawn to the water of Tazewell County
Each river page carries USGS data that updates itself.