Lake Sara Fishing
Effingham County holds this 614-acre IDNR-listed lake.
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Lake Sara, the Prairie State snapshot
With 614 acres on the IDNR listing, Lake Sara is a lake in Effingham County. The deepest spot IDNR mentions is 47 feet. Shumway is the nearest Census place, roughly 3 miles from the IDNR map point.
You can put in at 3 boat ramps 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 Lake Sara
- Location (IDNR)Lake Sara is located in Effingham County approximately 5 miles southwest of Effingham, Illinois.
- Description (IDNR)Lake Sara was constructed in 1957, and it has a surface area of 614 acres, a maximum depth of 47 feet, and a mean depth of 19 feet. The lake has 38 miles of shoreline and a watershed of 7,560 acres.
The IDNR amenity list for Lake Sara
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessYes
- Boat FishingYes – Unrestricted
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingYes
- SwimmingYes
- Trout StockingNo
This band carries the IFishIllinois text on Lake Sara word for word.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
The IDNR outlook for Lake Sara
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | Poor | Bluegill were not included in the 2025 annual survey. Very few Bluegill longer than 6” have been collected in recent surveys and the Bluegill population in this lake will likely always be hindered by the presence of… |
| White Bass | Fair | The White Bass catch rate decreased from 2024 to 2025 and average body condition remained below the lake management plan target. White Bass collected in 2025 ranged from 7” – 17”, but anglers could expect most fish in… |
| Crappie spp. | Good | Black Crappie and White Crappie are present in Lake Sara. The White Crappie population is more numerous and has a better size structure than the Black Crappie population. Average body condition remained below target for… |
Names above trace to IDNR for Lake Sara, 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.
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- IDNRThe sport fish population in Lake Sara is comprised primarily of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, White and Black Crappie, White Bass, and Channel Catfish. Other common species include Yellow Bullhead and Common Carp. The fish population is surveyed annually.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR-mapped launches at Lake Sara
- Lake Sara Anthony Acres Boat Rampfee noted, Permit required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Sara Bluegill Marina Boat Rampfee noted, Permit required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Sara Marine Road Boat Rampfee noted, Permit required to launch/boat on lake
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 Lake Sara
- Lake SaraIDNR depth map
- Lake Sara Gypsy CoveIDNR depth map
- Lake Sara Larsons LandingIDNR depth map
- Lake Sara Moccasin CoveIDNR depth map
- Lake Sara Ridgerunners CoveIDNR depth map
- Lake Sara Shumway CoveIDNR depth map
IDNR publishes 6 depth maps for Lake Sara; open them from its IFishIllinois page.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Fish IDNR stocked in Lake Sara
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | 7,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Channel Catfish | 7,000 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
Rows for Lake Sara 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 Lake Sara
| 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 Sara wherever no site-specific line overrides them.
Digest regulations printed for Lake Sara
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Sara | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5) |
| Lake Sara | Large or Smallmouth Bass | Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 15 inches and less than 18 inches |
| Lake Sara | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 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 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 39, 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 Sara among its neighbours
On size, Lake Mattoon leads the nearby lakes at 988 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Sara | 614 | 47 | 3 | Bluegill | |
| Lake Mattoon | 18 miles northeast | 988 | 31 | 1 | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) |
| Forest Park Lagoon | 21 miles northwest | 2.0 | 0 | ||
| Lake Paradise | 22 miles northeast | 138 | 16 | 1 | Channel Catfish |
| Opossum Pond | 22 miles north | 0.3 | 10 | 0 | |
| Toledo Reservoir | 23 miles northeast | 3.0 | 7 | 0 |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
An Illinois blacktop jaunt from Lake Sara
Lakes in the same corner of the state as Lake Sara
- Lake Mattoon18 miles northeast
- Forest Park Lagoon21 miles northwest
- Lake Paradise22 miles northeast
- Opossum Pond22 miles north
- Toledo Reservoir23 miles northeast
Filling the bait bucket near Lake Sara
- J & J Marinamarina, Effingham, under a mile
- Red Fox Landingmarina, Effingham, under a mile
- Lake Mattoon Marinamarina, Neoga, 16 miles
- Spillway Motel & Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Shelbyville, 20 miles
- Craigs Sporting Goods And Family Fun Ctrsporting goods store, Shelbyville, 20 miles
- Lithia Springs Marinamarina, Shelbyville, 21 miles
Tackle loaner sites near Lake Sara
- Wolf Creek State ParkWindsor, 24 miles
Illinois towns close to Lake Sara
- Effingham5 miles
- Teutopolis8 miles
- Altamont9 miles
County guides linked to Lake Sara
- Effingham Countyseat: Effingham
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun gear a Prairie State angler could stow for Lake Sara
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Telling the Lake Sara fish apart by photo
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Straight replies on Lake Sara
How do I find Lake Sara on an Illinois map?
Lake Sara is located in Effingham County approximately 5 miles southwest of Effingham, Illinois. Its county listing is Effingham County, about 3 miles from Shumway.
Is Lake Sara a large lake for Illinois?
IDNR gives 614 acres, and the IDNR text gives a 47 foot maximum depth.
Can I tow a bass boat to Lake Sara and launch?
The IDNR map shows 3 boat ramps; Lake Sara Anthony Acres Boat Ramp is one.
Which fish does IDNR list for Lake Sara?
The IDNR outlook gives bluegill a poor; other fish listed include white bass and channel catfish.
How many black bass does the digest allow at Lake Sara?
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 Lake Sara?
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 Sara?
No pier on file; IDNR flags Family Friendly No; Handicap Access Yes.
Can I get bait on the way to Lake Sara?
Our list starts with J & J Marina, under a mile away,.
Pack the rods for Lake Sara
Fees, stamps and site rules sit on the license page.