Evergreen Lake Fishing
925 acres on the IFishIllinois page, a lake of McLean County.
Pick for crappiePiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Normal: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
First Illinois notes on Evergreen Lake
IDNR lists Evergreen Lake at 925 acres, a lake lying in McLean County. At its deepest, the IDNR text says, it reaches 50 feet. From the IDNR pin it is around 3 miles to Kappa.
2 boat ramps show on the IDNR boat ramp layer here. Read its digest entry before you keep fish.
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.
What IDNR says about Evergreen Lake
- Location (IDNR)Evergreen Lake is located approximately 15 miles north of Bloomington, Illinois and is easily accessible by taking I-39 north to the Lake Bloomington/Evergreen Lake exit, then proceeding west on Lake Bloomington Road (2500N).
- Description (IDNR)Evergreen Lake was built in 1970 to serve as a secondary water source for the City of Bloomington. The lake is owned by the City of Bloomington and is managed by the McLean County Department of Parks and Recreation. Evergreen Lake is part of Comlara County Park. The lake is 925 acres and has an average depth of 19.7 feet and a maximum depth of 50 feet. There are two boat launches on the lake and one canoe …
What IDNR says is available at Evergreen Lake
- Family FriendlyYes
- Handicap AccessYes
- Boat FishingYes – 10 hp limit
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsYes – Seasonal
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingYes
- Trout StockingNo
We copied the Evergreen Lake entry from IFishIllinois without edits.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
How IDNR rates the fishing at Evergreen Lake
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Crappie spp. | Good | The crappie fishery was once dominated by White Crappie, but since 2006 the Black Crappie population has been more prevalent in fish surveys and anglers’ creels. During the most recent electrofishing survey… |
| Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | Excellent | The saugeye is a hybrid made by crossing female Walleye with male Sauger. The Saugeye appear to have adapted quite well to Evergreen Lake. Stocking of this hybrid started in 1992 and the lake has been stocked every year… |
| Largemouth Bass | Fair | The most recent bass survey resulted in a catch rate of 77.5 bass per hour and was below the management objective of 100 bass per hour. Of the bass collected over 8 inches, 34% of the bass collected were larger than 12… |
| Muskellunge | Excellent | Evergreen Lake was first stocked with Muskie in 1990. During the most recent spring netting survey, 3.7 Muskie per net-night were collected with 20 net-nights of effort and the 15-survey average is 4 Muskie per… |
IDNR rates walleye x sauger (saugeye) at Evergreen Lake as excellent, the top mark in its outlook here.
Species for Evergreen Lake come only from IDNR pages and tables.
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 crappie herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Survey history at Evergreen Lake
- IDNRThe IDNR currently stocks Saugeye and Muskie.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Backing a trailer into Evergreen Lake
- Evergreen Lake Boat Ramp-Comlara Park Accessfee noted, Fee and boat sticker required to launch/boat on lake
- Evergreen Lake Boat Ramp-White Oak Accessfee noted, Fee and boat sticker required to launch/boat on lake
Ramps to know near Evergreen Lake
- Lake Bloomington Boat RampLake Bloomington, 6 miles east
- Lake Eureka Boat RampLake Eureka, 14 miles west
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Contour maps published for Evergreen Lake
- Evergreen Lake East PartIDNR depth map
- Evergreen Lake West PartIDNR depth map
IDNR has drawn 2 depth maps of Evergreen Lake; the waterbody page carries them.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
What IDNR put into Evergreen Lake
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Muskellunge | 649 | Adult |
| 2026 | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 37,779 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Muskellunge | 661 | Adult |
| 2025 | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 41,418 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 932 | Adult |
| 2024 | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 426,000 | Not Specified |
| 2024 | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 56,441 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | 932 | Adult |
| 2023 | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 36,892 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Largemouth Bass | 282 | Adult |
| 2022 | Muskellunge | 942 | Adult |
| 2022 | Smallmouth Bass | 2,583 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
These Evergreen Lake lines are from the IFishIllinois stocking table.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
The rules on keeping fish at Evergreen 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 |
Unless the digest names Evergreen Lake for a species, the statewide row decides.
Local rules at Evergreen Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Evergreen Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5). All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4) |
| Evergreen Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Evergreen Lake | Pure Muskellunge | 48 inch Minimum Length Limit (10) |
| Evergreen Lake | Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Evergreen Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 5 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches |
- Code 1Sport fishermen must not use more than 2 poles and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached (Alabama rigs not allowed) while fishing, except that legal size cast nets (in accordance with Section 810.50(a)(2)), shad scoops, and minnow …
- Code 4When using live bait, all live bait in excess of 8" in total length shall be rigged with a quick set rig. The hook shall be immediately set upon the strike. A quick set rig is defined as follows: a live bait rig with up to 2 treble hooks attached …
- Code 5Sport fishermen may take carp, carpsuckers, buffalo, gar, bowfin and suckers by pitchfork, gigs, bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices.
- Code 10The 48 inch total length limit on pure muskellunge applies to that body of water listed as well as any tailwaters as defined below: Evergreen Lake (McLean County) – including the portion of Six Mile Creek below the Evergreen Lake Dam downstream to its …
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 27, 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.
Evergreen Lake next to the lakes around it
The biggest neighbour here is Lake Bloomington, listed at 635 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evergreen Lake | 925 | 50 | 2 | Crappie spp. | |
| Lake Bloomington | 5 miles east | 635 | 36 | 1 | Channel Catfish |
| White Oaks Lake | 10 miles south | not printed | 18 | 0 | |
| Miller Park Lake | 12 miles south | 16 | 28 | 0 | |
| Holiday Park Lake | 12 miles south | 6.0 | 0 | ||
| Lake Eureka | 14 miles west | not printed | 17 | 1 | Largemouth Bass |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Down the county road from Evergreen Lake
More Illinois lakes within reach of Evergreen Lake
- Lake Bloomington5 miles east
- White Oaks Lake10 miles south
- Miller Park Lake12 miles south
- Holiday Park Lake12 miles south
- Lake Eureka14 miles west
Tackle stops within a short drive of Evergreen Lake
- Mucky Duck Marinamarina, Hudson, 5 miles
- Freedom Sports Shopsporting goods store, El Paso, 7 miles
- Lounge Sport and Baitbait and tackle shop, Bloomington, 11 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Bloomingtonsporting goods store, Bloomington, 11 miles
- Smiley's Sports Shop Incbait and tackle shop, Bloomington, 13 miles
Borrowing a rod near Evergreen Lake
- McLean County Parks and RecreationHudson, under a mile
- Heartland Community CollegeNormal, 7 miles
Beds and breakfasts for a run to Evergreen Lake
- Hudson3 miles
- El Paso7 miles
- Normal8 miles
Courthouse-county pages reaching Evergreen Lake
- McLean Countyseat: Bloomington
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Spinning reels from Piscifun matched to Evergreen Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Lakes and river bends close to Evergreen Lake, in pictures
Photo: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
Photo: chumlee10, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Wizard298, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
What gets asked about Evergreen Lake around Illinois
Is Evergreen Lake upstate, central or down in Little Egypt?
Evergreen Lake is located approximately 15 miles north of Bloomington, Illinois and is easily accessible by taking I-39 north to the Lake Bloomington/Evergreen Lake exit, then proceeding west on Lake Bloomington Road (2500N). Search McLean County, about 3 miles from Kappa.
What acre figure does IFishIllinois print for Evergreen Lake?
925 acres, per IDNR, and the IDNR text gives a 50 foot maximum depth.
Which launches on the IDNR map serve Evergreen Lake?
IDNR plots 2 boat ramps; start at Evergreen Lake Boat Ramp-Comlara Park Access.
How does IDNR grade the bass at Evergreen Lake?
First in the IDNR outlook: crappie spp., good; also present per IDNR are largemouth bass, muskellunge and smallmouth bass.
Does a digest length rule cover Evergreen 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. A digest line for this water changes part of that; see the limits band.
Which IDNR paperwork comes before a day at Evergreen Lake?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Where do shore anglers go at Evergreen Lake?
No pier is inventoried; the IDNR page notes Family Friendly Yes; Handicap Access Yes.
Where are crawlers sold on the way to Evergreen Lake?
Nearest in our shop file: Mucky Duck Marina, about 5 miles away,.
Save a Saturday for Evergreen Lake
Buy the Illinois license online before you leave.