Fishing in Vermilion County, Illinois
County seat: Danville. Population 74,188.
- 4lake pages
- 10IDNR launches
- 3river pages
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The basics of fishing Vermilion County
Danville serves as seat of Vermilion County, a county of 74,188 people by the 2020 Census. Its tackle loaner sites sit in the IDNR fishing map's Central Illinois grouping on the IDNR IFishIllinois map.
Lake Vermilion leads the 4 lake guides inside the county by surface acres. Trailer anglers can pick from 10 public launches on the IDNR layers. IDNR maps 2 fishing piers in the county for walk-up fishing. The IDNR stocking table lists 11 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 Vermilion County
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Lakes and reservoirs inside Vermilion County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Vermilion | 900 | 30 ft | lake | 1 | channel catfish, white crappie |
| Lake Mingo | 170 | 38 ft | lake | 1 | bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish |
| Long Lake (KSRA) | lake | 3 | |||
| Clear Lake (KSRA) | lake | 2 |
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 Danville, 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 Vermilion County
- Vermilion River (Wabash River basin)IFishIllinois page, 3 USGS gauges
- Middle Fork Vermilion River1 IDNR-mapped ramp, 1 USGS gauge
- North Fork Vermilion River (Vermilion County)1 USGS gauge
Vermilion County streams shown only here (2)
- Little Vermilion River (Vermilion County)river
- Middle Branch North Fork Vermilion Riverriver
USGS stations streaming data from Vermilion County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Vermilion River Near Bismarck, Il | 15 cfs, 4.92 ft gage height | Oct 1 1:45 am Not updated since Oct 1, 2010. |
| Vermilion River Near Danville, Il | 87 cfs, 2.39 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:45 pm |
| Middle Fork Vermilion River Above Oakwood, Il | 28 cfs, 0.91 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.
Stage and flow notes near Vermilion County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermilion River (E-IL) near Danville | 2.7 ft | 0.226 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 05:00:00 UTC |
| Middle Fork Vermilion River above Oakwood | 0.85 ft | 0.0384 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:45:00 UTC |
| North Fork Vermilion River near Bismarck | 4.91 ft | 0.0429 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Wabash River at Covington | 6.88 ft | 3.91 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:45:00 UTC |
| Spoon River (E-IL) near St. Joseph | 4.09 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:45:00 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 Vermilion County
- Clear Lake Boat RampClear Lake (KSRA), launch
- High Lake Boat Ramp on Long Lake (KSRA)Long Lake (KSRA), IDNR note: Gravel ramp
- Lake Mingo Boat RampLake Mingo, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Lake Vermilion Boat RampLake Vermilion, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Middle Fork Vermilion River Kickapoo State Park Boat Ramp on Clear Lake (KSRA)Clear Lake (KSRA), launch
- Inland Sea Boat RampInland Sea – KSRA, launch
- Long Lake Boat Ramp (south)Long Lake (KSRA), launch
- Middle Fork Vermilion River Kennekuk County Park Boat RampMiddle Fork Vermilion River, launch
- North Fork Vermilion River Ellsworth Park Boat Ramp on N Fk Vermilion RiverN Fk Vermilion River, launch
- Sportsmen's Lake Boat RampSportsmen's Lake – KSRA, launch
3 launches ramps serve water that is listed here rather than paged.
Shore fishing across Vermilion County
- Kickapoo Fishing Pier on Clear Lake (KSRA)fishing pier, IDNR site: Kickapoo
- Kickapoo Fishing Pier on Long Lake (KSRA)fishing pier, IDNR site: Kickapoo
The asset list adds 2 boat docks.
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 Vermilion County waters
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lake Mingo | Channel Catfish | 2,550 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Lake Mingo | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 10,212 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Lake Mingo | Channel Catfish | 2,550 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Lake Mingo | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 15,375 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Lake Mingo | Channel Catfish | 682 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Lake Mingo | Channel Catfish | 1,023 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Lake Mingo | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 8,962 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Lake Mingo | Channel Catfish | 1,705 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Lake Mingo | Channel Catfish | 1,705 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Lake Mingo | Redear Sunfish | 50,127 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Lake Mingo | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 9,428 | 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 Vermilion County water
A Vermilion 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 |
Vermilion County waters carrying digest exceptions (5)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Clear Lake | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Clear Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Clear 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 |
| Clear Lake | Trout | Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8) |
| Herschel Lake (Formerly Tilton City Lake) | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Herschel Lake (Formerly Tilton City Lake) | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Herschel Lake (Formerly Tilton City Lake) | Channel Catfish | 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Herschel Lake (Formerly Tilton City Lake) | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Kickapoo State Park Lakes & Ponds | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Kickapoo State Park Lakes & Ponds | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Kickapoo State Park Lakes & Ponds | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Kickapoo State Park Lakes & 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 |
| Lake Mingo & Kennekuk Cove 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 |
| Lake Mingo & Kennekuk Cove Park Ponds | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 20 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 5 Fish greater than or equal to 8 inches |
| Lake Mingo & Kennekuk Cove Park Ponds | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Mingo & Kennekuk Cove 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 |
| Lake Mingo & Kennekuk Cove Park Ponds | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Vermilion | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). Sport fishermen may harvest carp, carpsuckers, buffalo, gar, bowfin, and suckers by pitchfork, gigs, bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices north of Boiling Springs Road, but not within 300 feet around wetland boardwalk. Trotline and jug fishing allowed north of Boi |
| Lake Vermilion | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length 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.
The heaviest Illinois fish near Vermilion County
IDNR lists no record from Vermilion County, so the record waters within 70 miles are shown.
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater Drum | hook and line | 38 lbs 4 oz | Clinton Lake | May 24, 2018 |
| Goldeye | hook and line | 2 lbs 1 oz | Embarras River | July 26, 1998 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Free loaner tackle in Vermilion County
- Kennekuk Cove County Park22296 Henning Road, Danville, (217) 442-1691
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 Vermilion County
Crawlers, line and lures in Vermilion County
- Henk's Bait & Bitebait and tackle shop, Danville
- Pam's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Georgetown
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 Vermilion County
Town fishing pages across Vermilion County
- Danvillepop. 29,204
- Hoopestonpop. 4,915
- Westvillepop. 3,167
- Georgetownpop. 3,143
- Tiltonpop. 2,660
- Catlinpop. 1,983
- Oakwoodpop. 1,325
- Rossvillepop. 1,221
Counties bordering Vermilion County
- Champaign County25 miles west
- Edgar County35 miles south
- Ford County39 miles northwest
- Douglas County39 miles southwest
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on Vermilion County
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Telling the Vermilion County fish apart by photo
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
What anglers want to know about Vermilion County water
Does Vermilion County have a public ramp on the IDNR map?
IDNR lists 10 launches; one is Clear Lake Boat Ramp.
Which impoundment in Vermilion County covers the most ground?
Lake Vermilion, at 900 acres by the IDNR listing.
What swims in the lakes near Vermilion County?
Channel catfish tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by bluegill, largemouth bass and saugeye.
Where does a Vermilion County angler buy crawlers and minnows?
Try Henk's Bait & Bite; 2 are listed.
Does Vermilion County have an IDNR tackle loaner site?
IDNR lists 1 loaner site here, starting with Kennekuk Cove County Park in Danville.
Which town runs Vermilion County county business?
County government sits in Danville.
How much does a nonresident pay to fish in Vermilion County?
IDNR sells the yearly fishing license for $15 (resident) and $31.50 (nonresident).
Which counties lie a short drive past Vermilion County?
Closest by centre point: Champaign County, Edgar County and Ford County.
Which site-specific entries reach Vermilion County?
The digest lists 5 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Clear Lake; the table above shows each.
Are Vermilion County lakes stocked?
The IDNR table carries 11 rows; the newest lists 10,212 Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye), Fingerling (1 – 3") (2026) in Mingo, Lake.
Give Vermilion County water a whole weekend
Lake pages carry launches, IDNR ratings and digest rules.