Lake of Egypt Fishing
Johnson County holds this 2,400-acre IDNR-listed lake.
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Lake of Egypt, the Prairie State snapshot
With 2,400 acres on the IDNR listing, Lake of Egypt is a lake in Johnson County. Creal Springs is the nearest Census place, roughly 4 miles from the IDNR map point.
You can put in at 4 boat ramps on the IDNR map.
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 Lake of Egypt
The IDNR amenity list for Lake of Egypt
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessNo
- Boat FishingYes – Unrestricted
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingYes
- SwimmingYes
- Trout StockingNo
This band carries the IFishIllinois text on Lake of Egypt word for word.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR-mapped launches at Lake of Egypt
- Lake Of Egypt Egyptian Hills Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch
- Lake Of Egypt Mack's Marina Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch
- Lake Of Egypt Pyramid Acres Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch
- Lake Of Egypt Shawnee Forest Boat Ramplaunch
More public launches that reach Lake of Egypt
- Little Cache Lake (a.k.a. Bowman Lake) Boat RampLittle Cache Lake (a.k.a. Bowman Lake), 7 miles south
- Dutchman Lake Boat RampDutchman Lake, 7 miles south
- Devils Kitchen Lake Kayak and Canoe LandingDevils Kitchen Lake, 9 miles west
- Crab Orchard Lake North Refuge Rd Boat RampCrab Orchard Lake, 10 miles northwest
- Devils Kitchen Lake Line 6 Boat RampDevils Kitchen Lake, 10 miles west
- Devils Kitchen Lake Line 13 Boat RampDevils Kitchen Lake, 10 miles west
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Illinois limits that apply on Lake of Egypt
| 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 Lake of Egypt wherever no site-specific line overrides them.
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.
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The Lake of Egypt tournament page lists upcoming events and sourced results.
Lake of Egypt among its neighbours
On size, Crab Orchard Lake leads the nearby lakes at 6,965 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake of Egypt | 2,400 | 4 | |||
| Ferne Clyffe Lake | 6 miles southwest | 16 | 0 | Bluegill | |
| Little Cache Lake (a.k.a. Bowman Lake) | 7 miles south | 21 | 1 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Dutchman Lake | 7 miles south | 118 | 1 | Bluegill | |
| Devils Kitchen Lake | 9 miles west | 810 | 4 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Crab Orchard Lake | 12 miles northwest | 6,965 | 9 | Bluegill |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
An Illinois blacktop jaunt from Lake of Egypt
Lakes in the same corner of the state as Lake of Egypt
- Ferne Clyffe Lake6 miles southwest
- Little Cache Lake (a.k.a. Bowman Lake)7 miles south
- Dutchman Lake7 miles south
- Devils Kitchen Lake9 miles west
- Crab Orchard Lake12 miles northwest
Filling the bait bucket near Lake of Egypt
- Egyptian Hills Marina Incmarina, Creal Springs, 1 mile
- Just Add Water Bait Tackle & Morebait and tackle shop, Marion, 2 miles
- Dunn's Sporting Goodsbait and tackle shop, Marion, 10 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Carbondalesporting goods store, Carbondale, 18 miles
Tackle loaner sites near Lake of Egypt
- Little Grassy Fish HatcheryMakanda, 13 miles
- Little Grassy Campground and MarinaMakanda, 13 miles
- Giant City State ParkMakanda, 15 miles
- Carbondale Public LibraryCarbondale, 19 miles
Illinois towns close to Lake of Egypt
- Goreville4 miles
- Marion10 miles
- Vienna13 miles
County guides linked to Lake of Egypt
- Johnson Countyseat: Vienna
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun gear a Prairie State angler could stow for Lake of Egypt
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Telling the Lake of Egypt fish apart by photo
Photo: Eden, Janine and Jim, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Straight replies on Lake of Egypt
How do I find Lake of Egypt on an Illinois map?
Its county listing is Johnson County, about 4 miles from Creal Springs.
Is Lake of Egypt a large lake for Illinois?
IDNR gives 2,400 acres.
Can I tow a bass boat to Lake of Egypt and launch?
The IDNR map shows 4 boat ramps; Lake Of Egypt Egyptian Hills Boat Ramp is one.
Which fish does IDNR list for Lake of Egypt?
No IDNR species line exists for it.
How many black bass does the digest allow at Lake of Egypt?
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.
Is an Illinois license required at Lake of Egypt?
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 Lake of Egypt?
No pier on file; IDNR flags Family Friendly No; Handicap Access No.
Can I get bait on the way to Lake of Egypt?
Our list starts with Egyptian Hills Marina Inc, about 1 mile away,.
Pack the rods for Lake of Egypt
Fees, stamps and site rules sit on the license page.