Governor Bond Lake Fishing
An IDNR lake of 775 acres, found in Bond County.
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What an Illinois angler should know about Governor Bond Lake
The IFishIllinois entry gives Governor Bond Lake 775 acres; the lake sits in Bond County. Count about 4 miles from the map point to Greenville, the closest Census place.
IDNR maps 2 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 Governor Bond Lake
- Location (IDNR)Governor Bond Lake is located just north of Greenville.
- Description (IDNR)This is a 775-acre water supply lake owned by the City of Greenville. The fishery of the lake is cooperatively managed by the IDNR and the City of Greenville. The shoreline of the lake includes rock, woody structure, and some aquatic plants. There are two concrete boat ramps on the lake. The main ramp is on the southwest end of the lake off of Red Ball Trail. A second ramp is located on the southeast side of …
Yes or no: what Governor Bond Lake offers, per IDNR
- Family FriendlyYes
- Handicap AccessNo
- Boat FishingYes – 300 hp limit boats; 160 hp limit for personal watercraft
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingYes
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
Text and flags in this band repeat the IFishIllinois page for Governor Bond Lake as printed.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
What the electrofishing found at Governor Bond Lake
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | Fair | Hybrid striped bass have been stocked consistently over the past 10-15 years. One Hybrid Striped Bass was collected in the 2023 survey. It was only 5 inches and must have been a recently stocked fish. Angler reports… |
| Channel Catfish | Very Good | An excellent Channel Catfish population exists in this lake. 17 Channel Catfish were collected between 17 and 29 inches with an average length of over 23 inches and an average weight of over 4 lbs. |
| Flathead Catfish | Good | The lake supports trophy Flathead Catfish with several over 40 lbs. collected in recent surveys. |
| Largemouth Bass | Good | This lake has a good bass population. We collected 47 Largemouth Bass per hour of electrofishing in 2023. These bass numbers are lower than our goal of 60 fish per hour, but this number is trending back up and much… |
| Crappie spp. | Good | The crappie fishing can be very good with both White and Black Crappie present in the lake. More crappie were collected in our 2023 survey than in the previous years (16 per hour in 2023, 7 per hour in 2021, 5 per hour… |
| Bluegill | Excellent | Bluegill are very abundant in the lake with lots of 6 inch fish and some over 7 inches. We collected 340 Bluegill per hour of electrofishing in 2023 compared to 200 per hour in 2021. The percent of quality-sized (6… |
IDNR biologists call the channel catfish fishing at Governor Bond Lake very good.
For Governor Bond 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.
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- IDNRThe IDNR Division of Fisheries routinely monitors the status of the fishery of Governor Bond Lake. Recent stockings include supplemental Largemouth Bass, supplemental Channel Catfish, and annual Hybrid Striped Bass.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Trailer ramps that serve Governor Bond Lake
- Governor Bond Lake Boat Ramp South Endfee noted, City boat permit required to launch/boat on lake
- Governor Bond Lake Idler Lane Boat Rampfee noted, City boat permit required to launch/boat on lake
Neighbouring ramps around Governor Bond Lake
- Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake) Boat RampPatriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake), 5 miles southwest
- Coffeen Lake South Boat RampCoffeen Lake, 7 miles north
- Vandalia Lake Marina Boat RampVandalia Lake, 14 miles east
- Kaskaskia River Cox Bridge Boat Ramp on Carlyle LakeCarlyle Lake, 15 miles southeast
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
IDNR depth maps of Governor Bond Lake
- Governor Bond LakeIDNR depth map
The IFishIllinois page for Governor Bond Lake links 1 depth map.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR hatchery trucks at Governor Bond Lake
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Largemouth Bass | 20,164 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 6,785 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Largemouth Bass | 19,449 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 8,745 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 19,533 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 8,632 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 19,389 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 7,736 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Largemouth Bass | 19,566 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Largemouth Bass | 2,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 14,490 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
The IDNR table credits Governor Bond Lake with these fish; release days are not published.
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 IDNR keep rules for Governor Bond 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 Governor Bond Lake, then check its own entry.
Digest lines written just for Governor Bond Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Governor Bond Lake | All Fish | All jugs must be attended at all times (3) |
| Governor Bond Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Governor Bond Lake | Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 17 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Governor Bond Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
- 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 31, 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 Governor Bond Lake against other Illinois lakes
Carlyle Lake tops this table with 24,580 IDNR acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor Bond Lake | 775 | 2 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | ||
| Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake) | 5 miles southwest | 25 | 1 | Channel Catfish | |
| Coffeen Lake | 8 miles north | 1,102 | 58 | 2 | Largemouth Bass |
| Vandalia Lake | 14 miles east | 646 | 41 | 1 | Crappie spp. |
| Hillsboro Old City Lake | 16 miles north | 100 | 1 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Carlyle Lake | 18 miles southeast | 24,580 | 35 | 14 | Sauger |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Inside a cornfield drive of Governor Bond Lake
Nearby impoundments to try after Governor Bond Lake
- Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake)5 miles southwest
- Coffeen Lake8 miles north
- Vandalia Lake14 miles east
- Hillsboro Old City Lake16 miles north
- Carlyle Lake18 miles southeast
Bait counters on the drive to Governor Bond Lake
- Highland Lure & Bait Companybait and tackle shop, Keyesport, 15 miles
- Tradewinds Marinamarina, Keyesport, 16 miles
- Lake Glenn Shoals Marina Landingmarina, Hillsboro, 17 miles
- Boulder Access Marinamarina, Shattuc, 20 miles
- Jerry's Tackle and Gunsbait and tackle shop, Highland, 22 miles
- Carlyle Lake Marine Centerbait and tackle shop, Carlyle, 23 miles
No rod? Loaner sites near Governor Bond Lake
- Greenville Public LibraryGreenville, 4 miles
- Hillsboro Public LibraryHillsboro, 16 miles
- Eldon Hazlett State ParkCarlyle, 20 miles
- Ramsey Public LibraryRamsey, 20 miles
Places to sleep and eat near Governor Bond Lake
- Greenville4 miles
- Vandalia15 miles
- Hillsboro16 miles
Governor Bond Lake, cut along Illinois county lines
- Bond Countyseat: Greenville
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on Governor Bond Lake
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Timber, cornfield and water around Governor Bond Lake through a lens
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain
Photo: nearly almost, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Denny Armstrong, CC BY 2.0
Governor Bond Lake, sorted out question by question
Which counties border Governor Bond Lake?
Governor Bond Lake is located just north of Greenville. Point the car at Bond County, about 4 miles from Greenville.
How many IDNR acres does Governor Bond Lake spread over?
IDNR lists 775 acres.
Which IDNR ramp is handiest for Governor Bond Lake?
2 boat ramps are mapped, including Governor Bond Lake Boat Ramp South End.
Which fish turn up in IDNR surveys of Governor Bond Lake?
striped bass x white bass (wiper) lead the IDNR outlook (fair), with channel catfish, flathead catfish, largemouth bass and bluegill also named.
What does the 2026 digest let me keep at Governor Bond 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 Governor Bond Lake?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Does Governor Bond Lake have shore access?
IDNR facility flags: Family Friendly Yes; Handicap Access No; piers are not listed.
Where do Governor Bond Lake anglers buy tackle?
Highland Lure & Bait Company, about 15 miles away, is the first shop on our list.
Make the drive to Governor Bond Lake
IDNR fees and the statewide table are on one page.