Anderson Lake Fishing
A lake IDNR covers in Fulton County.
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What an Illinois angler should know about Anderson Lake
A lake of Fulton County, Anderson Lake carries no printed size here: the IDNR numbers conflict. IDNR text gives a maximum depth of 5 feet. Count about 3 miles from the map point to Bath, the closest Census place.
IDNR maps 3 boat ramps along the shore. Statewide limits change here under a digest entry.
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. IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
Site notes IDNR prints for Anderson Lake
- Location (IDNR)Anderson Lake is located 12.5 road miles southwest of Havana in west-central Illinois.
- Description (IDNR)Anderson Lake is a natural bottomland impoundment adjoining the Illinois River in the southeast corner of Fulton County. It is situated on the west floodplain of the river, and the Anderson Lake Conservation Area encompasses 2,133 acres and is maintained as a public fishing and hunting site. A levee was constructed in 1980 to facilitate waterfowl management. It separates Anderson Lake, which is 1,132 surface …
Yes or no: what Anderson Lake offers, per IDNR
- Family FriendlyYes
- Handicap AccessNo
- Boat FishingYes – Unrestricted
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
Text and flags in this band repeat the IFishIllinois page for Anderson Lake as printed.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
What the electrofishing found at Anderson Lake
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | Average | Channel Catfish population was present at a low density of fish up to 21 inches in length. |
| Black Bullhead | Fair | Brown, Black and Yellow Bullhead populations were present in low densities of fish up to 9 inches long. |
| Bluegill | Average | Bluegill population was present in a high density of fish up to 7 inches in length. |
| Largemouth Bass | Poor | Largemouth Bass population was present at a low density of fish up to 14 inches in length. |
| Crappie spp. | Average | Black and White Crappie populations were present in very low densities of fish up to 12 inches in length. |
For Anderson Lake, the fish shown have an IDNR outlook line, stocking row or record behind them.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
For the catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 How Anderson Lake got to be the fishery it is
- IDNRDue to the annual inundation of Anderson Lake by the Illinois River, fish species management on this small scale is a difficult objective. The associated sedimentation, loss of lake water volume and loss of aquatic plants have all negatively impacted the sport fish habitat present in Anderson Lake. However, annual documentation of the sport fish populations are very important in our understanding of how these …
- The current fishery was maintaining a cyclic pulse of sport fish with positive impacts from the flood years of 1993-95 and then high water in 1998 and 1999 and then high spring through summer levels in 2008-2011. In 2012, the very low water levels with the drought had negative impacts on the fishery in Anderson Lake. Multiple low oxygen fish kills occurred in late August through September. The majority of the …
- In 2019 and 2020, the Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and White Crappie populations showed a substantial increase in their population densities. This appears to again be related to the high water levels and recruitment from 2018. And the fish species diversity was also very high at 32 in 2019 and 20 in 2020.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Trailer ramps that serve Anderson Lake
- Anderson Lake North Boat Ramplaunch
- Anderson Lake South Boat Ramplaunch
- Sanganois Boat Ramp on Anderson Lakerock and concrete ramp
Neighbouring ramps around Anderson Lake
- Thompson Lake – Emiquon Boat RampThompson Lake (Emiquon), 12 miles northeast
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Docks and fish cleaning tables at Anderson Lake
- Anderson Lake Boat Dockboat dock, near Anderson Lake
- Anderson Lake Boat Dockboat dock, near Anderson Lake
The asset list behind these Anderson Lake rows dates from 2019.
IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
IDNR depth maps of Anderson Lake
- Anderson LakeIDNR depth map
The IFishIllinois page for Anderson Lake links 1 depth map.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
The IDNR keep rules for Anderson Lake
| Species group | Daily limit | Statewide 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 |
Start with the statewide rows at Anderson Lake, then check its own entry.
Digest lines written just for Anderson Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12) |
| Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 12 inch Minimum Length Limit |
- Code 12It shall be unlawful to trespass upon a designated waterfowl hunting area during the 7 days prior to the regular duck season, or to fish on such areas during the regular duck and Canada goose season except in areas posted as open to fishing. It shall be …
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 15, read November 4, 2026.
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. IDNR license fees (ifishillinois.org), read November 4, 2026.
Sizing Anderson Lake against other Illinois lakes
Thompson Lake (Emiquon) tops this table with 4,000 IDNR acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson Lake | not printed | 5 | 3 | Channel Catfish | |
| Thompson Lake (Emiquon) | 12 miles northeast | 4,000 | 1 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Drake Lake (JEPCFWA) | 15 miles southeast | not printed | 42 | 1 | Redear Sunfish |
| Gurney Road Pond (JEPCFWA) | 15 miles south | 2.0 | 12 | 0 | |
| Prairie Lake (JEPCFWA) | 16 miles southeast | not printed | 45 | 1 | Black Crappie |
| Vermont Lake | 16 miles northwest | 38 | 10 | 0 | Flathead Catfish |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Inside a cornfield drive of Anderson Lake
Nearby impoundments to try after Anderson Lake
- Thompson Lake (Emiquon)12 miles northeast
- Drake Lake (JEPCFWA)15 miles southeast
- Gurney Road Pond (JEPCFWA)15 miles south
- Prairie Lake (JEPCFWA)16 miles southeast
- Vermont Lake16 miles northwest
Bait counters on the drive to Anderson Lake
- Tall Timbers Marinamarina, Havana, 10 miles
- B & S Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Ashland, 16 miles
- Tom's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Beardstown, 17 miles
No rod? Loaner sites near Anderson Lake
- Havana Nature CenterHavana, 10 miles
- Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWAChandlerville, 15 miles
- Schuy-Rush ParkRushville, 20 miles
Places to sleep and eat near Anderson Lake
- Havana10 miles
- Lewistown14 miles
- Virginia17 miles
Anderson Lake, cut along Illinois county lines
- Fulton Countyseat: Lewistown
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on Anderson Lake
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Timber, cornfield and water around Anderson Lake through a lens
Photo: Ron Frazier, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Denise Krebs, CC BY 2.0
Photo: nearly almost, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Matt Turner, CC BY 2.0
Anderson Lake, sorted out question by question
Which counties border Anderson Lake?
Anderson Lake is located 12.5 road miles southwest of Havana in west-central Illinois. Point the car at Fulton County, about 3 miles from Bath.
How many IDNR acres does Anderson Lake spread over?
IDNR prints two sizes that do not agree, so this page shows none, and the IDNR text gives a 5 foot maximum depth.
Which IDNR ramp is handiest for Anderson Lake?
3 boat ramps are mapped, including Anderson Lake North Boat Ramp.
Which fish turn up in IDNR surveys of Anderson Lake?
channel catfish lead the IDNR outlook (average), with black bullhead, bluegill and largemouth bass also named.
What does the 2026 digest let me keep at Anderson Lake?
Statewide digest row for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass: Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. The same row adds a separate rule for rivers and streams, quoted in the limits band. Site rules printed above take priority.
May a visitor from Indiana or Iowa fish Anderson Lake?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Does Anderson Lake have shore access?
IDNR facility flags: Family Friendly Yes; Handicap Access No; piers are not listed.
Where do Anderson Lake anglers buy tackle?
Tall Timbers Marina, about 10 miles away, is the first shop on our list.
Make the drive to Anderson Lake
IDNR fees and the statewide table are on one page.