Lake Centralia Fishing
A lake in Marion County, 254 acres by IDNR.
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Sizing up Lake Centralia
Look for Lake Centralia in Marion County: a lake that IDNR sizes at 254 acres. IDNR writes that it bottoms out near 23 feet. Odin lies roughly 5 miles off, the handiest Census place.
Boaters get 1 boat ramp from the IDNR map. 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 Lake Centralia
- Location (IDNR)Centralia Lake is located in Marion County approximately 2 miles west and 5 miles south of Salem, Illinois.
- Description (IDNR)Centralia Lake was constructed in 1910 to serve as a water supply reservoir for the City of Centralia. Centralia Lake has a surface area of 254 acres, a maximum depth of 23 feet, and a mean depth of 10 feet. The lake has 12.9 miles of shoreline and a watershed of 734 acres.
Amenities on the IDNR page for Lake Centralia
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessNo
- Boat FishingYes – Unrestricted
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingNo
- PicnickingNo
- SkiingYes
- SwimmingYes
- Trout StockingNo
The rows above quote the IDNR page for Lake Centralia.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR survey ratings for Lake Centralia
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | Poor | The size structure of the Bluegill population has been historically poor. Bluegill were not targeted in the 2025 fall survey. However, based on trends seen in recent surveys, anglers can expect to catch an abundance of… |
| Largemouth Bass | Good | The overall size structure of the bass population was good, but there was a downward shift in size structure. All but one of the population metrics met their lake management plan targets. Approximately 57% of the adult… |
| Redear Sunfish | Poor | The size structure of Redear Sunfish population has been poor to fair in recent years. Redear Sunfish were not targeted in the 2025 fall population survey. Recent trends suggest that anglers can expect most Redear… |
| Crappie spp. | Poor | Black Crappie and White Crappie are both present in Centralia Lake. Neither species was targeted in the 2025 survey. Black Crappie have historically had higher average body condition than White Crappie, but the size… |
| Flathead Catfish | Poor | Three small Flathead Catfish were collected in 2025 with an average length of 9”. Prior to 2025, the only two other Flathead Catfish appearing in IDNR surveys were collected in 2014 and 2015. |
Each species named here comes from the IDNR page, the stocking table or the record list for Lake Centralia; 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 sport fish population in Centralia Lake is comprised primarily of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, White and Black Crappie and Channel Catfish. Other common species include Redear Sunfish, Common Carp and Yellow Bullheads. The fish population is surveyed annually.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Concrete and gravel ramps on Lake Centralia
- Lake Centralia Boat Rampfee noted, Motorized boat permit required
Other ramps when Lake Centralia is crowded
- Raccoon Lake Boat RampRaccoon Lake, 5 miles west
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Mapped depths at Lake Centralia
- Centralia LakeIDNR depth map
Find 1 depth map of Lake Centralia on IFishIllinois.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Fingerlings and adults IDNR added to Lake Centralia
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Channel Catfish | 1,519 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | 1,500 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | 900 | Adult |
| 2023 | Channel Catfish | 1,500 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2022 | Channel Catfish | 1,500 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Channel Catfish | 750 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
IDNR records these Lake Centralia 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 Lake Centralia
| 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 Lake Centralia a site-specific digest line beats the statewide row.
Local digest rules for Lake Centralia
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Centralia Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Centralia Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Centralia Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length 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 …
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 21, 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.
Lake Centralia set beside other downstate lakes
Carlyle Lake covers the most water in this group: 24,580 acres by IDNR.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Centralia | 254 | 23 | 1 | Bluegill | |
| Raccoon Lake | 5 miles west | 970 | 17 | 1 | Crappie spp. |
| Kinmundy Reservoir | 16 miles northeast | 107 | 26 | 2 | |
| Carlyle Lake | 17 miles northwest | 24,580 | 35 | 14 | Sauger |
| Forbes Lake (SFSP) | 18 miles northeast | 585 | 31 | 2 | Bluegill |
| Sam Dale Lake | 22 miles east | 194 | 2 | Largemouth Bass |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Around the Lake Centralia shoreline
Other lakes an Illinois Tollway exit or two from Lake Centralia
- Raccoon Lake5 miles west
- Kinmundy Reservoir16 miles northeast
- Carlyle Lake17 miles northwest
- Forbes Lake (SFSP)18 miles northeast
- Sam Dale Lake22 miles east
Buy bait on the way to Lake Centralia
- Boulder Access Marinamarina, Shattuc, 16 miles
- Rend Lake Sporting Goodsbait and tackle shop, Mount Vernon, 19 miles
- Tradewinds Marinamarina, Keyesport, 19 miles
- Highland Lure & Bait Companybait and tackle shop, Keyesport, 20 miles
- Carlyle Lake Marine Centerbait and tackle shop, Carlyle, 21 miles
IDNR loaner tackle close to Lake Centralia
- Centralia Public LibraryCentralia, 7 miles
- Eldon Hazlett State ParkCarlyle, 19 miles
Prairie State towns that sit near Lake Centralia
- Salem5 miles
- Central City7 miles
- Centralia7 miles
Illinois counties along Lake Centralia
- Marion Countyseat: Salem
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun picks ahead of a trip to Lake Centralia
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A photo field guide to Lake Centralia fish
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Public domain
Lake Centralia: what Prairie State anglers want settled
Which Illinois county is Lake Centralia in?
Centralia Lake is located in Marion County approximately 2 miles west and 5 miles south of Salem, Illinois. You will find it in Marion County, about 5 miles from Odin.
How much surface does Lake Centralia have by IDNR count?
The IFishIllinois figure is 254 acres, and the IDNR text gives a 23 foot maximum depth.
How many IDNR-mapped ramps touch Lake Centralia?
IDNR shows just Lake Centralia Boat Ramp.
What does IDNR say is biting at Lake Centralia?
IDNR rates bluegill as poor; largemouth bass, redear sunfish, flathead catfish and channel catfish also appear in its sources.
Does Lake Centralia 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 Lake Centralia?
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 Lake Centralia?
The IDNR flags say Family Friendly No; Handicap Access No; no pier is on its asset list.
Which Illinois tackle counter is nearest Lake Centralia?
Boulder Access Marina, about 16 miles away, tops the shop list.
Take the county blacktop out to Lake Centralia
Every 2026 fee and limit is a click away.