Hennepin Canal Fishing
A lake in Bureau County, 925 acres by IDNR.
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Sizing up Hennepin Canal
Look for Hennepin Canal in Bureau County: a lake that IDNR sizes at 925 acres. Sheffield lies roughly 3 miles off, the handiest Census place.
Boaters get 1 boat ramp from the IDNR map. Shore anglers can use 1 fishing pier on the asset list. Its limits differ from the statewide table in places.
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.
From the IFishIllinois page on Hennepin Canal
- Location (IDNR)This 104.5 mile linear park spans 5 counties (Rock Island, Henry, Bureau, Lee and Whiteside). Construction began on the canal in 1890 and was completed in 1907. The canal became a state park in 1970. The Visitor's Center is located south of Interstate 80 just off Highway 40.
- Description (IDNR)Spanning 5 counties, the Hennepin Canal is 925 acres with an average depth of 5 feet, is 104.5 miles long, and averages about 90 feet wide. The majority of the canal is accessible to bank angling.
- More from IDNRAll boats should try to operate with “no wake” to protect the shoreline from wave erosion. The Hennepin Canal has 10 concrete boat ramps and 1 gravel boat ramp. There is no concession on the canal, however there are many cities nearby that offer bait, food and supplies.
Amenities on the IDNR page for Hennepin Canal
- Family FriendlyYes
- Handicap AccessNo
- Boat FishingYes – 10 hp limit and no wake
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
The rows above quote the IDNR page for Hennepin Canal.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR survey ratings for Hennepin Canal
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | Good | Each pool is a little different. The middle pools, Geneseo to Sheffield, have better numbers and larger fish. The middle pools are the longest pools in the system and have varied habitats. These pools also provide the… |
| Channel Catfish | Good | Channel Catfish can be found throughout the entire length of the Hennepin canal. Fish can be found below the many old locks on the Hennepin canal. |
| Rainbow Trout | Excellent | Trout are stocked at the Visitor Center Lagoon in the spring and fall. |
| Largemouth Bass | Good | Each pool is a little different. The middle pools, Geneseo to Sheffield, have better numbers and larger fish. The middle pools are the longest pools in the system and have varied habitats. These pools also provide the… |
| Flathead Catfish | Good | The east end pools of the Hennepin Canal provide better fishing for Flathead Catfish. |
The best IDNR grade at Hennepin Canal goes to rainbow trout: excellent.
Each species named here comes from the IDNR page, the stocking table or the record list for Hennepin Canal; it is not a creel count.
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 fishery is managed by annual species-specific surveys and stocking. The Hennepin Canal receives an annual stocking of Largemouth Bass and Sauger. Trout are stocked at the Visitor's Center Lagoon in the spring and fall.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Concrete and gravel ramps on Hennepin Canal
- Hennepin Canal-Illinois River Boat Ramp-Hennepin Canal Visitors Centerconcrete ramp
Bank fishing spots on Hennepin Canal
- Mautino Fishing Pier on Hennepin Canalfishing pier, IDNR site: Mautino
Other ramps when Hennepin Canal is crowded
- Osprey Lake Boat RampOsprey Lake (MFWA), 4 miles southwest
- Boss Lake Boat RampBoss Lake (MFWA), 4 miles south
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.
Tie-up docks and fillet stations at Hennepin Canal
- Mautino Boat Dockboat dock, near Mautino
These Hennepin Canal entries are IDNR assets as inventoried in 2019, not a current service list.
IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
Mapped depths at Hennepin Canal
- Hennepin CanalIDNR depth map
Find 1 depth map of Hennepin Canal on IFishIllinois.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Fingerlings and adults IDNR added to Hennepin Canal
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Largemouth Bass | 5,009 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 715 | Adult |
| 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Largemouth Bass | 6,325 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 504 | Adult |
| 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 5,689 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 600 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 14,336 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 1,188 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Largemouth Bass | 20,023 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
IDNR records these Hennepin Canal stockings by year only.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
Bag and length rules posted at Hennepin Canal
| 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 |
At Hennepin Canal a site-specific digest line beats the statewide row.
Local digest rules for Hennepin Canal
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Hennepin Canal – Mainline & Feeder | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). Jug fishing is permitted from sunset to sunrise and carp and buffalo may be taken by bow and arrow devices from May 1 through September 30; All jugs must have owner’s/ user’s name and complete address affixed |
| Hennepin Canal – Mainline & Feeder | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Hennepin Canal – Mainline & Feeder | Trout | Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8) |
- 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 7It shall be illegal to possess trout during the period of October 1 to 5 a.m. on the third Saturday in October (both dates inclusive) that were caught during that period.
- Code 8It shall be illegal to possess trout during the period of March 15 to 5 a.m. on the 1st Saturday in April (both dates inclusive) that were caught during that period. 12 12
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 32, 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.
Hennepin Canal set beside other downstate lakes
Boss Lake (MFWA) covers the most water in this group: 16 acres by IDNR.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hennepin Canal | 925 | 1 | Bluegill | ||
| Mirror Lake (MFWA) | 4 miles southwest | 5.0 | 0 | Bluegill | |
| Osprey Lake (MFWA) | 4 miles southwest | 14 | 1 | Redear Sunfish | |
| Boss Lake (MFWA) | 5 miles south | 16 | 1 | Bluegill | |
| Johnson Sauk Trail Lake | 11 miles west | not printed | 23 | 1 | Crappie spp. |
| Hennepin-Hopper Lakes | 22 miles southeast | not printed | 1 | Pumpkinseed |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Around the Hennepin Canal shoreline
Other lakes an Illinois Tollway exit or two from Hennepin Canal
- Mirror Lake (MFWA)4 miles southwest
- Osprey Lake (MFWA)4 miles southwest
- Boss Lake (MFWA)5 miles south
- Johnson Sauk Trail Lake11 miles west
- Hennepin-Hopper Lakes22 miles southeast
Buy bait on the way to Hennepin Canal
- Canal Area Tackle Shop "CATS"bait and tackle shop, Wyanet, 6 miles
- Osage Marine Services Incmarina, Hennepin, 20 miles
- J&K Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Hennepin, 20 miles
Prairie State towns that sit near Hennepin Canal
- Princeton12 miles
- Walnut13 miles
- Kewanee16 miles
Illinois counties along Hennepin Canal
- Bureau Countyseat: Princeton
Piscifun picks ahead of a trip to Hennepin Canal
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A photo field guide to Hennepin Canal fish
Photo: Alabama Extension, CC0 1.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Hennepin Canal: what Prairie State anglers want settled
Which Illinois county is Hennepin Canal in?
This 104.5 mile linear park spans 5 counties (Rock Island, Henry, Bureau, Lee and Whiteside). Construction began on the canal in 1890 and was completed in 1907. The canal became a state park in 1970. The Visitor's Center is located south of Interstate 80 just off Highway 40. You will find it in Bureau County, about 3 miles from Sheffield.
How much surface does Hennepin Canal have by IDNR count?
The IFishIllinois figure is 925 acres.
How many IDNR-mapped ramps touch Hennepin Canal?
IDNR shows just Hennepin Canal-Illinois River Boat Ramp-Hennepin Canal Visitors Center.
What does IDNR say is biting at Hennepin Canal?
IDNR rates bluegill as good; channel catfish, rainbow trout, largemouth bass and flathead catfish also appear in its sources.
Does Hennepin Canal have special regulations?
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. Its own digest entry sits in the limits band too.
Does a visitor need a license at Hennepin Canal?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Can a bank caster do well at Hennepin Canal?
Try Mautino Fishing Pier on Hennepin Canal, one of 1 fishing pier.
Which Illinois tackle counter is nearest Hennepin Canal?
Canal Area Tackle Shop "CATS", about 6 miles away, tops the shop list.
Take the county blacktop out to Hennepin Canal
Every 2026 fee and limit is a click away.