Lake Springfield Fishing
Sized by IDNR at 3,866 acres, this lake lies in Sangamon County.
Pick for bluegillPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Denny Armstrong, CC BY 2.0
Lake Springfield, measured out for Illinois anglers
3,866 acres of lake water make up Lake Springfield, which IDNR places in Sangamon County. A 30-foot maximum depth appears in the IDNR description. Supplies are closest in Southern View, about 2 miles by straight line.
The IDNR launch layer marks 7 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 Springfield
- Location (IDNR)Lake Springfield is located on the southeast edge of Springfield.
- Description (IDNR)Lake Springfield was constructed in 1931 by the damming of Lick and Sugar creeks. It has a maximum depth of approximately 30 feet and an average depth of 13 feet. Lake Springfield is 3,866 acres.
Facilities IDNR checks off at Lake Springfield
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessYes
- Boat FishingYes – Unrestricted
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingNo
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingYes
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
Everything above is IDNR wording for Lake Springfield.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR-rated fish swimming in Lake Springfield
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | Excellent | Lake Springfield has a surprisingly good Bluegill population, which is uncommon in a large impoundment. The fall fish survey showed that the majority of the catchable population is composed of 6–8” fish. Anglers can… |
| Largemouth Bass | Very Good | Lake Springfield has been one of the most consistently balanced largemouth lakes over the last two decades. It has a high density population with electrofishing surveys routinely surpassing 100 bass per hour. In… |
| Channel Catfish | Very Good | The Channel Catfish population is excellent both in quantity and quality, and remains one of the best Channel Catfish lakes in the state. Anglers can catch Channel Catfish in the warmer months of the year using bottom… |
| Flathead Catfish | Excellent | Lake Springfield has earned a reputation for producing large numbers of nice Flathead Catfish every year. The largest reported was over 60 pounds Anglers can catch Flathead Catfish using live bait such as minnows… |
bluegill earn a excellent rating from IDNR at Lake Springfield.
IDNR sources tie these fish to Lake Springfield: 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 Springfield
- IDNRThe Division of Fisheries entered into a formal Cooperative Management Agreement in 1984 with the City of Springfield to manage the sport fishery. Lake Springfield has a small power plant on the lake that keeps the lower end of the lake open to fishing year round. Lake Springfield has four concrete boat ramps for easy access.
- A total of 45 fish species have been collected in Lake Springfield since 1984. While their numbers and potential for successful angling are low, anglers may catch Green Sunfish, Green Sunfish x Bluegill Hybrid, Freshwater Drum, Redear Sunfish, or Yellow Bullhead.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Getting a boat into Lake Springfield
- Lake Springfield Center Park Harbor Boat Ramplaunch, City boat license required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Springfield Center Park Sailboat Boat Ramplaunch, City boat license required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Springfield Glasser Park Canoe/Kayak Launchlaunch, City boat license required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Springfield Lake Springfield Marina Ramplaunch, City boat license required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Springfield Lindsay Bridge Boat Ramplaunch, City boat license required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Springfield Marine Point Boat Ramplaunch, City boat license required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Springfield Spaulding Dam Boat Ramplaunch, City boat license required to launch/boat on lake
Backup launches if the Lake Springfield lot is full
- Sangchris Lake East Boat RampSangchris Lake, 11 miles southeast
- Sangchris Lake Strawkas Point Boat RampSangchris Lake, 12 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 Springfield
- Lake SpringfieldIDNR depth map
- Springfield Lake Bay IslandIDNR depth map
- Springfield Lake Center HarborIDNR depth map
- Springfield Lake Marine PointIDNR depth map
- Springfield Lake Midland IslandIDNR depth map
- Springfield Lake Spaulding DamIDNR depth map
- Springfield Lake West End StreetsIDNR depth map
IDNR lists 7 depth maps for Lake Springfield.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Stocking at Lake Springfield
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Blue Catfish | 28,013 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Walleye | 84,054 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Walleye | 40,268 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Blue Catfish | 28,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | 180 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2022 | Blue Catfish | 42,442 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
IDNR lists these releases for Lake Springfield 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 Springfield
| 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 Springfield except where its own entry differs.
Site-specific rules for Lake Springfield
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Springfield | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5) |
| Lake Springfield | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Lake Springfield | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 10 inch Minimum Length Limit; 10 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 40, 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.
Weigh-ins at Lake Springfield
Organizer dates, takeoff ramps and printed weights for Lake Springfield have their own page.
Illinois lakes clustered around Lake Springfield
For more room, Sangchris Lake has 2,321 acres on its IDNR page.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Springfield | 3,866 | 30 | 7 | Bluegill | |
| IDOT Lake | 4 miles north | 17 | 0 | ||
| Washington Park Pond | 5 miles northwest | 1.0 | 0 | ||
| Sangchris Lake | 11 miles southeast | 2,321 | 3 | ||
| Lake Loami | 12 miles west | 11 | 14 | 0 | |
| Lake Williamsville | 17 miles north | 18 | 13 | 0 | Bluegill |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Near Lake Springfield
A second lake for the day after Lake Springfield
- IDOT Lake4 miles north
- Washington Park Pond5 miles northwest
- Sangchris Lake11 miles southeast
- Lake Loami12 miles west
- Lake Williamsville17 miles north
Stores with hooks and line around Lake Springfield
- Big Red's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Springfield, 2 miles
- Angler's Workshopfly shop, Springfield, 3 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Springfieldsporting goods store, Springfield, 5 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Springfieldsporting goods store, Springfield, 5 miles
- B Hayes Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Springfield, 5 miles
- Old Guy Tackle Cobait and tackle shop, Divernon, 11 miles
Free loaner rods within reach of Lake Springfield
- Chatham Area Public LibraryChatham, 5 miles
- IL Dept. of Natural ResourcesSpringfield, 8 miles
Town bases for anglers near Lake Springfield
- Southern View2 miles
- Rochester4 miles
- Jerome4 miles
Each county Lake Springfield touches, with links
- Sangamon Countyseat: Springfield
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun reels to stow in the truck for Lake Springfield
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
The ponds and rivers around Lake Springfield, photographed
Photo: Denny Armstrong, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Matt Turner, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Dave Wright, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Denise Krebs, CC BY 2.0
Before the tackle box goes in the car for Lake Springfield
Where in Illinois is Lake Springfield?
Lake Springfield is located on the southeast edge of Springfield. Head for Sangamon County, about 2 miles from Southern View.
What size does IDNR list for Lake Springfield?
Its IDNR size is 3,866 acres, and the IDNR text gives a 30 foot maximum depth.
Does Lake Springfield have a ramp on the IDNR layer?
Use Lake Springfield Center Park Harbor Boat Ramp or another of 7 boat ramps.
How is the fishing at Lake Springfield?
IDNR rates bluegill excellent; its sources also name largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish and walleye.
What can I take home from Lake Springfield?
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 Springfield?
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 Springfield?
Its IDNR facility line reads Family Friendly No; Handicap Access Yes, with no inventoried pier.
Which counter near Lake Springfield keeps a minnow tank?
Head to Big Red's Bait & Tackle, about 2 miles away,.
Plan a morning on Lake Springfield
Know what goes in the cooler before you launch.