Lake Lou Yeager Fishing
Sized by IDNR at 1,268 acres, this lake lies in Montgomery County.
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Lake Lou Yeager, measured out for Illinois anglers
1,268 acres of lake water make up Lake Lou Yeager, which IDNR places in Montgomery County. Supplies are closest in Butler, about 4 miles by straight line.
The IDNR launch layer marks 2 boat ramps at this water. The digest names it among the site-specific waters.
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.
IDNR page details for Lake Lou Yeager
- Location (IDNR)Lake Lou Yeager is located nearly 1 mile northeast of Litchfield, Illinois in Montgomery County.
- Description (IDNR)Lake Lou Yaeger was created by damming the West Fork of Shoal Creek. The lake was constructed in 1964, and completely filled during May of 1966. The predominant uses are boating recreation, sport fishing, and flood control. Lake Lou Yaeger has no horsepower motor limit. There are two boat ramps on the southwest shore. Restrooms, camping, and picnicking are all available on site.
- More from IDNRThe lake is 1,269 acres, has a shoreline length of 24.9 miles and a watershed of 74,550 acres. The lake's maximum depth is 31 feet and it averages 10 feet deep.
Facilities IDNR checks off at Lake Lou Yeager
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessYes
- Boat FishingYes – Unrestricted
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingYes
- SwimmingYes
- Trout StockingNo
Everything above is IDNR wording for Lake Lou Yeager.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR-rated fish swimming in Lake Lou Yeager
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | Good | For an impoundment of this size and considering competition with younger Bluegill from Gizzard Shad, this fish group does fairly well. We saw good numbers of Bluegill in the 6” to 7” range, and collected this species up… |
| Channel Catfish | Very Good | Only 7 catfish were sampled this year ranging from 13” to 20”. Natural reproduction is occurring in this lake, which should ensure decent fishing into the future. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily creel limit. |
| White Crappie | Good | White Crappie are doing fairly well in Lake Lou Yaeger. The majority of individuals collected were in the 6.5” to 9” category. The largest Crappie captured was just shy of 12”, and weighed 13 ounces. Densities are high… |
channel catfish earn a very good rating from IDNR at Lake Lou Yeager.
IDNR sources tie these fish to Lake Lou Yeager: outlook, stocking or a record.
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 The fishery record of Lake Lou Yeager
- IDNRApproximately 15 fish families swim in this shallow, fertile water body. At this time, no species are being stocked by IDNR on an annual basis. A rearing pond for Largemouth Bass is functional on city property. Illinois DNR hatcheries stock Largemouth Bass annually in an effort to maintain the predator base.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Getting a boat into Lake Lou Yeager
- Lake Lou Yeager Boat Rampfee noted, City boat sticker required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Lou Yeager Marina Lane Boat Rampfee noted, City boat sticker required to launch/boat on lake
Backup launches if the Lake Lou Yeager lot is full
- Lake Glenn Shoals North Boat RampLake Glenn Shoals, 7 miles east
- Lake Glenn Shoals South Boat RampLake Glenn Shoals, 7 miles southeast
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Bottom maps for Lake Lou Yeager
- Lake Lou Yaeger DamIDNR depth map
- Lake Lou Yaeger North EndIDNR depth map
- Lou Yaeger LakeIDNR depth map
IDNR lists 3 depth maps for Lake Lou Yeager.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Stocking at Lake Lou Yeager
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Largemouth Bass | 19,086 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Largemouth Bass | 19,072 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 19,331 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 19,035 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Largemouth Bass | 19,649 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
IDNR lists these releases for Lake Lou Yeager by year; it publishes no stocking dates.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
Fish allowed in the cooler at Lake Lou Yeager
| 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 |
Statewide limits hold on Lake Lou Yeager except where its own entry differs.
Site-specific rules for Lake Lou Yeager
- A City of Litchfield boat sticker is required to launch and boat on the lake.
- All Fish: 2 pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached while fishing
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Site-specific regulations on the IFishIllinois page, as printed, ifishillinois.org, 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.
Illinois lakes clustered around Lake Lou Yeager
For more room, Lake Glenn Shoals has 1,085 acres on its IDNR page.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Lou Yeager | 1,268 | 2 | Bluegill | ||
| Hillsboro Old City Lake | 8 miles southeast | 100 | 1 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Lake Glenn Shoals | 8 miles east | 1,085 | 2 | Bluegill | |
| Mt. Olive New City Lake | 12 miles southwest | not printed | 1 | Bluegill | |
| Mt. Olive Old City Lake | 13 miles southwest | 31 | 29 | 1 | Channel Catfish |
| Lake Carlinville 1 | 13 miles west | 155 | 19 | 1 | Crappie spp. |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Near Lake Lou Yeager
A second lake for the day after Lake Lou Yeager
- Hillsboro Old City Lake8 miles southeast
- Lake Glenn Shoals8 miles east
- Mt. Olive New City Lake12 miles southwest
- Mt. Olive Old City Lake13 miles southwest
- Lake Carlinville 113 miles west
Stores with hooks and line around Lake Lou Yeager
- Docksidemarina, Raymond, 7 miles
- Lake Glenn Shoals Marina Landingmarina, Hillsboro, 7 miles
- Old Guy Tackle Cobait and tackle shop, Divernon, 23 miles
- K Z Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bunker Hill, 23 miles
Free loaner rods within reach of Lake Lou Yeager
- Hillsboro Public LibraryHillsboro, 8 miles
- Benld LibraryBenld, 15 miles
- Carlinville Public LibraryCarlinville, 16 miles
- Bunker Hill LibraryBunker Hill, 23 miles
Town bases for anglers near Lake Lou Yeager
- Litchfield5 miles
- Hillsboro8 miles
- Mount Olive13 miles
Each county Lake Lou Yeager touches, with links
- Montgomery Countyseat: Hillsboro
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun reels to stow in the truck for Lake Lou Yeager
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The ponds and rivers around Lake Lou Yeager, photographed
Photo: Denny Armstrong, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Denny Armstrong, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Katherine Johnson, CC BY 2.0
Before the tackle box goes in the car for Lake Lou Yeager
Where in Illinois is Lake Lou Yeager?
Lake Lou Yeager is located nearly 1 mile northeast of Litchfield, Illinois in Montgomery County. Head for Montgomery County, about 4 miles from Butler.
What size does IDNR list for Lake Lou Yeager?
Its IDNR size is 1,268 acres.
Does Lake Lou Yeager have a ramp on the IDNR layer?
Use Lake Lou Yeager Boat Ramp or another of 2 boat ramps.
How is the fishing at Lake Lou Yeager?
IDNR rates bluegill good; its sources also name channel catfish, white crappie and largemouth bass.
What can I take home from Lake Lou Yeager?
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. Check the site-specific rows above as well.
Which IDNR license goes in my wallet at Lake Lou Yeager?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Did IDNR inventory a fishing pier at Lake Lou Yeager?
Its IDNR facility line reads Family Friendly No; Handicap Access Yes, with no inventoried pier.
Which counter near Lake Lou Yeager keeps a minnow tank?
Head to Dockside, about 7 miles away,.
Plan a morning on Lake Lou Yeager
Know what goes in the cooler before you launch.