Lake Glenn Shoals Fishing
1,085 acres on the IFishIllinois page, a lake of Montgomery County.
Pick for bluegillPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Lake Glenn Shoals: Denny Armstrong, CC BY 2.0
First Illinois notes on Lake Glenn Shoals
IDNR lists Lake Glenn Shoals at 1,085 acres, a lake lying in Montgomery County. From the IDNR pin it is around 2 miles to Hillsboro.
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 Lake Glenn Shoals
- Location (IDNR)Approximately 1.25 miles north of Hillsboro, Illinois in Montgomery County.
- Description (IDNR)Lake Glenn Shoals is cooperatively managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the City of Hillsboro, Illinois. The lake was constructed for flood prevention, and as a water supply for the City of Hillsboro. Lake Glenn Shoals has no outboard motor horsepower limit. There are two concrete boat ramps; one at the North Marina and another at the South Marina near the dam.
What IDNR says is available at Lake Glenn Shoals
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessYes
- Boat FishingYes – Unrestricted
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingYes
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
We copied the Lake Glenn Shoals entry from IFishIllinois without edits.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
How IDNR rates the fishing at Lake Glenn Shoals
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | Average | The 2023 survey showed high numbers of Bluegill that are below the desire size distribution. Body condition of the Bluegill collected was poor. This is not uncommon in a lake dominated by Gizzard shad. Largemouth Bass… |
| Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | Good | This trophy species is stocked into Lake Glen Shoals by IDNR at 2” in length. During the past few surveys, quite a few quality fish were seen. All but a few were over the legal limit. Site regulation: 17” minimum length… |
Species for Lake Glenn Shoals 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 bluegill herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Survey history at Lake Glenn Shoals
- IDNRApproximately 16 species inhabit this central Illinois impoundment. IDNR periodically stocks Hybrid Striped Bass and has released Largemouth Bass into Lake Glenn Shoals when warranted.
- Sauger were stocked for the first time in 2017.
- The lake has fairly high numbers of Common Carp and Yellow Bass.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Backing a trailer into Lake Glenn Shoals
- Lake Glenn Shoals North Boat Rampfee noted, City boat permit required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Glenn Shoals South Boat Rampfee noted, City boat permit required to launch/boat on lake
Ramps to know near Lake Glenn Shoals
- Lake Lou Yeager Marina Lane Boat RampLake Lou Yeager, 8 miles west
- Lake Lou Yeager Boat RampLake Lou Yeager, 8 miles west
- Coffeen Lake South Boat RampCoffeen Lake, 11 miles south
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 Lake Glenn Shoals
- Glen Shoals LakeIDNR depth map
- Glenn Shoals DamIDNR depth map
- Glenn Shoals Middle Fork Shoals CreekIDNR depth map
IDNR has drawn 3 depth maps of Lake Glenn Shoals; the waterbody page carries them.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
What IDNR put into Lake Glenn Shoals
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Blue Catfish | 8,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Largemouth Bass | 15,016 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 13,736 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Blue Catfish | 8,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Largemouth Bass | 15,013 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 15,835 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Blue Catfish | 8,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 14,974 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 13,930 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Blue Catfish | 4,035 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 15,006 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 11,672 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
These Lake Glenn Shoals 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 Lake Glenn Shoals
| 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 Lake Glenn Shoals for a species, the statewide row decides.
Local rules at Lake Glenn Shoals
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Glenn Shoals Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5) |
| Glenn Shoals Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Glenn Shoals Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Glenn Shoals Lake | Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 17 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 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 5Sport fishermen may take carp, carpsuckers, buffalo, gar, bowfin and suckers by pitchfork, gigs, bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices.
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 30, 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 Glenn Shoals next to the lakes around it
The biggest neighbour here is Lake Lou Yeager, listed at 1,268 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Glenn Shoals | 1,085 | 2 | Bluegill | ||
| Hillsboro Old City Lake | 3 miles southwest | 100 | 1 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Lake Lou Yeager | 8 miles west | 1,268 | 2 | Bluegill | |
| Coffeen Lake | 10 miles south | 1,102 | 58 | 2 | Largemouth Bass |
| Ramsey Lake (RLSP) | 17 miles east | 46 | 22 | 1 | Black Crappie |
| Mt. Olive Old City Lake | 18 miles southwest | 31 | 29 | 1 | Channel Catfish |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Down the county road from Lake Glenn Shoals
More Illinois lakes within reach of Lake Glenn Shoals
- Hillsboro Old City Lake3 miles southwest
- Lake Lou Yeager8 miles west
- Coffeen Lake10 miles south
- Ramsey Lake (RLSP)17 miles east
- Mt. Olive Old City Lake18 miles southwest
Tackle stops within a short drive of Lake Glenn Shoals
- Lake Glenn Shoals Marina Landingmarina, Hillsboro, 2 miles
- Docksidemarina, Raymond, 10 miles
Borrowing a rod near Lake Glenn Shoals
- Hillsboro Public LibraryHillsboro, 4 miles
- Ramsey Public LibraryRamsey, 19 miles
- Benld LibraryBenld, 20 miles
- Greenville Public LibraryGreenville, 22 miles
Beds and breakfasts for a run to Lake Glenn Shoals
- Hillsboro2 miles
- Nokomis11 miles
- Litchfield12 miles
Courthouse-county pages reaching Lake Glenn Shoals
- Montgomery Countyseat: Hillsboro
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Spinning reels from Piscifun matched to Lake Glenn Shoals
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Lakes and river bends close to Lake Glenn Shoals, in pictures
Photo: Denny Armstrong, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain
Photo: Denny Armstrong, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Katherine Johnson, CC BY 2.0
What gets asked about Lake Glenn Shoals around Illinois
Is Lake Glenn Shoals upstate, central or down in Little Egypt?
Approximately 1.25 miles north of Hillsboro, Illinois in Montgomery County. Search Montgomery County, about 2 miles from Hillsboro.
What acre figure does IFishIllinois print for Lake Glenn Shoals?
1,085 acres, per IDNR.
Which launches on the IDNR map serve Lake Glenn Shoals?
IDNR plots 2 boat ramps; start at Lake Glenn Shoals North Boat Ramp.
How does IDNR grade the bass at Lake Glenn Shoals?
First in the IDNR outlook: bluegill, average; also present per IDNR are hybrid striped bass, blue catfish and largemouth bass.
Does a digest length rule cover Lake Glenn Shoals?
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 Lake Glenn Shoals?
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 Lake Glenn Shoals?
No pier is inventoried; the IDNR page notes Family Friendly No; Handicap Access Yes.
Where are crawlers sold on the way to Lake Glenn Shoals?
Nearest in our shop file: Lake Glenn Shoals Marina Landing, about 2 miles away,.
Save a Saturday for Lake Glenn Shoals
Buy the Illinois license online before you leave.