Hennepin-Hopper Lakes Fishing
Putnam County holds this IDNR lake.
Pick for sunfishPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Hennepin-Hopper Lakes: Scott Tranchitella, CC BY-SA 2.0
Hennepin-Hopper Lakes, the Prairie State snapshot
Hennepin-Hopper Lakes sits in Putnam County; its listed acres and the IDNR description differ, so the size stays blank. Hennepin is the nearest Census place, roughly 2 miles from the IDNR map point.
You can put in at 1 boat ramp on the IDNR map. The digest prints site-specific rules for it.
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.
Amenities IDNR lists at Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
- Location (IDNR)Hennepin-Hopper Lakes are located 3 miles south of the of the town of Hennepin in Putnam County off of Route 26.
- Description (IDNR)The Wetlands Initiative (TWI), a nonprofit organization, created and manages the Sue and Wes Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin-Hopper Lakes. Since 2001, TWI has been restoring the 2,700-acre site from row crops to diverse native ecosystems, including lakes, wetlands, and prairies. Throughout the project’s history, the IDNR has partnered with TWI to lend expertise in managing fisheries, stocking native fishes …
The IDNR amenity list for Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessNo
- Boat FishingYes – Electric motors only; No shore fishing allowed
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingNo
- PicnickingNo
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
This band carries the IFishIllinois text on Hennepin-Hopper Lakes word for word.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
The IDNR outlook for Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpkinseed | Excellent | The 2024 Pumpkinseed sunfish population was evaluated by the collection of 127 stock size fish, a much higher sample number than previous years. The population indices show 43.3% are above 6”, and 10.2% are above 8”…. |
| Largemouth Bass | Excellent | The 2024 Largemouth Bass population was represented by 34 stock size fish. The indices of this population are very good with 70.8 percent of the fish over 15 inches in length. The body condition was also very good with… |
| Emerald Bowfin | Very Good | The 2024 Bowfin population was evaluated by the collection of 232 fish from 13 to 27 inches in length. These fish were in excellent body condition and appear to have become well established with recruitment in the lake… |
| Bluegill | Good | The 2024 Bluegill population was evaluated by the collection of 257 stock size fish. The population indices showed 18.6% are above 6” and 0.3% are above 8”. The body condition was excellent with a value of 112. |
| Brown Bullhead | Very Good | The 2024 Brown Bullhead population was evaluated by the collection of 98 fish from 6-17 inches in length. These fish were in excellent body condition and appear to be self-sustaining. |
| Black Crappie | Very Good | The 2024 Black Crappie population was evaluated by the collection of 167 stock size fish. A much higher collection than in previous years. Population indices show 82.6% of the population are above 8” and 40.7% are above… |
| Northern Pike | Very Good | The 2024 Northern Pike population was evaluated by the collection of 16 stock size fish. Population indices showed that 62.5% of the population were over 28 inches. The body condition was a value of 74. |
For Hennepin-Hopper Lakes, IDNR gives pumpkinseed a excellent outlook.
Names above trace to IDNR for Hennepin-Hopper Lakes, not to angler reports.
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 sunfish herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Background on the Hennepin-Hopper Lakes fishery
- IDNRIn the fall of 2009, TWI pumped out the water in the lakes so that the IDNR could apply the fish toxicant rotenone to remove Common Carp. In the spring of 2010, the healthy marsh habitat returned, and the IDNR restocked the lakes with native and sport fish. Other native flora and fauna returned, including thousands of migrating canvasback ducks in the spring of 2011. However, by the summer of 2012 the aquatic …
- Since 2013, the native fish stockings have grown rapidly and created a fishing destination for anglers. The improved water clarity has allowed the establishment of dense beds of submerged rooted aquatic plants and emergent aquatic plants.
- A new Illinois state record Pumpkinseed sunfish of 1.12 pounds was caught from Hennepin-Hopper Lakes by an angler in 2020.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR-mapped launches at Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Depth maps and contours for Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
- Hennepin Hopper LakesIDNR depth map
IDNR publishes 1 depth map for Hennepin-Hopper Lakes; open them from its IFishIllinois page.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Fish IDNR stocked in Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Northern Pike | 1,505 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Northern Pike | 3,016 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2024 | Alligator Gar | 839 | Adult |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 1,529 | Adult |
| 2024 | Northern Pike | 2,867 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2023 | Alligator Gar | 432 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2023 | Northern Pike | 3,203 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2022 | Northern Pike | 2,097 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
Rows for Hennepin-Hopper Lakes come from the IDNR stocking table, which gives the year but not the day.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
Illinois limits that apply on Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
| 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 |
Those statewide digest rows apply on Hennepin-Hopper Lakes wherever no site-specific line overrides them.
Digest regulations printed for Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Hennepin-Hopper Lakes | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4) |
| Hennepin-Hopper Lakes | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Hennepin-Hopper Lakes | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Hennepin-Hopper Lakes | Pure Muskellunge | 42 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Hennepin-Hopper Lakes | Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Hennepin-Hopper Lakes | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
- 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 …
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.
IDNR records from Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
| Species | Weight | Division | Date | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkinseed | 1 lb 1.92 oz | hook and line | June 19, 2020 | Putnam |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Hennepin-Hopper Lakes among its neighbours
On size, Hennepin Canal leads the nearby lakes at 925 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hennepin-Hopper Lakes | not printed | 1 | Pumpkinseed | ||
| Bakers Lake | 14 miles northeast | 8.0 | 0 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Boss Lake (MFWA) | 22 miles west | 16 | 1 | Bluegill | |
| Hennepin Canal | 22 miles northwest | 925 | 1 | Bluegill | |
| Osprey Lake (MFWA) | 23 miles west | 14 | 1 | Redear Sunfish | |
| Mirror Lake (MFWA) | 23 miles west | 5.0 | 0 | Bluegill |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
An Illinois blacktop jaunt from Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
Lakes in the same corner of the state as Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
- Bakers Lake14 miles northeast
- Boss Lake (MFWA)22 miles west
- Hennepin Canal22 miles northwest
- Osprey Lake (MFWA)23 miles west
- Mirror Lake (MFWA)23 miles west
Filling the bait bucket near Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
- J&K Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Hennepin, 3 miles
- Osage Marine Services Incmarina, Hennepin, 3 miles
- Canal Area Tackle Shop "CATS"bait and tackle shop, Wyanet, 17 miles
- Cajun Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Utica, 18 miles
- Apple Bee's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Utica, 19 miles
- Starved Rock Marinamarina, Ottawa, 21 miles
Illinois towns close to Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
- Granville6 miles
- Henry7 miles
- De Pue8 miles
County guides linked to Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
- Putnam Countyseat: Hennepin
Piscifun gear a Prairie State angler could stow for Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Telling the Hennepin-Hopper Lakes fish apart by photo
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Straight replies on Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
How do I find Hennepin-Hopper Lakes on an Illinois map?
Hennepin-Hopper Lakes are located 3 miles south of the of the town of Hennepin in Putnam County off of Route 26. Its county listing is Putnam County, about 2 miles from Hennepin.
Is Hennepin-Hopper Lakes a large lake for Illinois?
Size not shown, since IDNR sources differ.
Can I tow a bass boat to Hennepin-Hopper Lakes and launch?
IDNR maps one: Hennepin-Hopper Lakes Boat Ramp.
Which fish does IDNR list for Hennepin-Hopper Lakes?
The IDNR outlook gives pumpkinseed a excellent; other fish listed include largemouth bass, emerald bowfin, bluegill, brown bullhead and black crappie.
How many black bass does the digest allow at Hennepin-Hopper Lakes?
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. The limits band adds this water's digest entry.
Is an Illinois license required at Hennepin-Hopper Lakes?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Where can I bank fish at Hennepin-Hopper Lakes?
No pier on file; IDNR flags Family Friendly No; Handicap Access No.
Can I get bait on the way to Hennepin-Hopper Lakes?
Our list starts with J&K Bait Shop, about 3 miles away,.
Which record fish came from Hennepin-Hopper Lakes?
Pumpkinseed at 1 lb 1.92 oz (hook and line division, June 19, 2020) is the heaviest entry IDNR lists for Hennepin-Hopper Lakes; IDNR prints no angler names.
Pack the rods for Hennepin-Hopper Lakes
Fees, stamps and site rules sit on the license page.