Coffeen Lake Fishing
IDNR lists 1,102 acres of lake water in Montgomery County.
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Coffeen Lake in brief
Coffeen Lake is a lake of 1,102 acres in Montgomery County, going by the IDNR page. The IDNR description puts the deepest water at 58 feet. The closest town on the Census list is Coffeen, near 2 miles away.
The IDNR fishing map plots 2 boat ramps on it. Anglers without a boat have 3 fishing piers from the IDNR inventory. It has its own lines in the site-specific regulations.
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.
IDNR notes on Coffeen Lake
- Location (IDNR)Coffeen Lake is located in southeast Montgomery County, 7 miles southeast of Hillsboro, Illinois.
- Description (IDNR)Coffeen Lake is 1,102 acres with a shoreline length of 47.9 miles, a watershed of 11,001 acres, a maximum depth of 58 feet, and an average depth 18.7 feet. The lake is under a management agreement between The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Illinois Power Generating Company for outdoor recreation and conservation purposes. The lake is a cooling facility for Illinois Power Generating Company's …
- More from IDNRMotors of 25 horsepower or less are allowed to operate on the Coffeen Lake. Boats with larger motors are allowed, but are restricted to trolling motor operation only. Motors larger than 25 horsepower can be used for loading and unloading a trailered watercraft, provided the watercraft is operated at a no-wake speed within 150 feet of the loading ramp.
IDNR facility flags for Coffeen Lake
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessYes
- Boat FishingYes – 25 hp
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
IDNR wrote these lines for Coffeen Lake; nothing was reworded.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Species and ratings at Coffeen Lake
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Excellent | Coffeen Lake has a solid Largemouth Bass fishery in place. Reproduction has improved, and fish appear to be recruiting well into larger sizes. Fish were well-distributed from 3" to over 20". The numbers were very good… |
| Flathead Catfish | Excellent | Though numbers are uncertain, we capture one or two large individuals each year. From talking to anglers and reading articles, good numbers of this species are caught, with some much larger than 50 pounds. |
| Redear Sunfish | Fair | The Redear Sunfish numbers and size quality were not as good in this year’s survey but this species may provide a quality panfish opportunity in a lake with a very poor bluegill population. |
| Channel Catfish | Good | Numbers of Channel Catfish are not really seen in the fall survey, but the fish that were sampled were healthy, and angler reports indicate that they remain a popular target species. Site regulation: All jugs must be… |
| Crappie spp. | Very Good | Crappie are a popular sport fishery at this lake. Since the power plant has gone offline, black crappie reproduction has stabilized, with several years of high recruitment years showing up. Many fish sampled were over… |
Top of the IDNR outlook at Coffeen Lake: largemouth bass, rated excellent.
An IDNR source backs every fish listed for Coffeen Lake.
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.
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- IDNRApproximately 20 species have been collected on this water body. Coffeen Lake now receives periodic stockings of Black Crappie; the pure Striped Bass stockings have been discontinued due to an increase in water temperatures.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Ramps around Coffeen Lake
- Coffeen Lake North Boat Ramplaunch
- Coffeen Lake South Boat Rampmetal/wood ramp
Docks and piers on Coffeen Lake
- 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
Launches one bay over from Coffeen Lake
- Governor Bond Lake Boat Ramp South EndGovernor Bond Lake, 9 miles south
- Governor Bond Lake Idler Lane Boat RampGovernor Bond Lake, 10 miles south
- Lake Glenn Shoals South Boat RampLake Glenn Shoals, 10 miles northwest
- Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake) Boat RampPatriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake), 12 miles south
- Lake Glenn Shoals North Boat RampLake Glenn Shoals, 12 miles north
- Lake Lou Yeager Marina Lane Boat RampLake Lou Yeager, 14 miles northwest
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.
Reading the bottom of Coffeen Lake
- Coffeen LakeIDNR depth map
- Coffeen Lake DamIDNR depth map
- Coffeen Lake East Powerline CoveIDNR depth map
- Coffeen Lake Power PlantIDNR depth map
4 depth maps for Coffeen Lake sit on the IDNR page.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR stocking rows for Coffeen Lake
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Blue Catfish | 11,031 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Blue Catfish | 11,040 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Blue Catfish | 11,020 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Blue Catfish | 5,510 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Blacknose Crappie | 178,750 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Blue Catfish | 11,020 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
Year, species, size class and count for Coffeen Lake, as IDNR lists them.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
Creel and length limits on Coffeen 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 |
The 2026 statewide table is the default for Coffeen Lake.
Special regulations IDNR lists for Coffeen Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
- Code 3All jugs set in a body of water shall be under the immediate supervision of the fisherman. Immediate supervision shall be defined as the fisherman being on the water where the jugs are set and readily available to identify jugs to law enforcement officers.
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 22, 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.
Nearby lakes beside Coffeen Lake in one table
Among the five nearest lake pages, Lake Glenn Shoals is the largest IDNR listing at 1,085 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffeen Lake | 1,102 | 58 | 2 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Governor Bond Lake | 8 miles south | 775 | 2 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | |
| Hillsboro Old City Lake | 8 miles northwest | 100 | 1 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Lake Glenn Shoals | 10 miles north | 1,085 | 2 | Bluegill | |
| Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake) | 12 miles south | 25 | 1 | Channel Catfish | |
| Vandalia Lake | 14 miles east | 646 | 41 | 1 | Crappie spp. |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
A few miles of blacktop from Coffeen Lake
Other water a county or two from Coffeen Lake
- Governor Bond Lake8 miles south
- Hillsboro Old City Lake8 miles northwest
- Lake Glenn Shoals10 miles north
- Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake)12 miles south
- Vandalia Lake14 miles east
Where to buy crawlers and minnows near Coffeen Lake
- Lake Glenn Shoals Marina Landingmarina, Hillsboro, 9 miles
- Docksidemarina, Raymond, 20 miles
- Highland Lure & Bait Companybait and tackle shop, Keyesport, 23 miles
- Tradewinds Marinamarina, Keyesport, 24 miles
Loaner rod and reel stops near Coffeen Lake
- Hillsboro Public LibraryHillsboro, 8 miles
- Greenville Public LibraryGreenville, 12 miles
- Ramsey Public LibraryRamsey, 17 miles
- Benld LibraryBenld, 22 miles
Towns with motels by Coffeen Lake
- Hillsboro9 miles
- Greenville12 miles
- Litchfield16 miles
The counties Coffeen Lake runs through
- Montgomery Countyseat: Hillsboro
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun tackle to load up before Coffeen Lake
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Fish to recognise on sight at Coffeen Lake
Photo: kmitschke, CC BY 2.0
Photo: ted_rocket, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
The bait shop questions about Coffeen Lake
Which Illinois town sits nearest Coffeen Lake?
Coffeen Lake is located in southeast Montgomery County, 7 miles southeast of Hillsboro, Illinois. IDNR places it in Montgomery County, about 2 miles from Coffeen.
What size does the IFishIllinois page give Coffeen Lake?
About 1,102 acres on the IDNR page, and the IDNR text gives a 58 foot maximum depth.
Where does IDNR map a launch on Coffeen Lake?
Try Coffeen Lake North Boat Ramp, one of 2 boat ramps.
Which species does IDNR rate at Coffeen Lake?
IDNR calls largemouth bass excellent here and lists flathead catfish, redear sunfish, channel catfish, blue catfish and black crappie as well.
Which Illinois rules apply on Coffeen 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. This water also has a site-specific entry, shown in the limits band.
What does an Illinois license cost for Coffeen Lake?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Is Coffeen Lake good for anglers without a boat?
IDNR inventoried 3 fishing piers, such as Coffeen Lake Office Fishing Pier.
Which store outfits a trip to Coffeen Lake?
Stop at Lake Glenn Shoals Marina Landing, about 9 miles away,.
Tow the rig down to Coffeen Lake at dawn
Check the limits, then pick a ramp near your spot.