Pittsfield Lake Fishing
241 acres on the IFishIllinois page, a lake of Pike County.
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First Illinois notes on Pittsfield Lake
IDNR lists Pittsfield Lake at 241 acres, a lake lying in Pike County. At its deepest, the IDNR text says, it reaches 34 feet. From the IDNR pin it is around 4 miles to Pittsfield.
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 Pittsfield Lake
- Location (IDNR)Lake Pittsfield is located in Pike County in West-Central Illinois between Pittsfield and Griggsville south of Interstate 72 and east of Route 107.
- Description (IDNR)Pittsfield Lake was constructed by the City of Pittsfield in 1960 as a flood control impoundment. It was subsequently used as the source of drinking water for the city. No longer used as a water source, Pittsfield Lake attracts many anglers and campers to its rural setting. The lake has a maximum depth of 34 feet, average depth of 12 feet, and shoreline length of 5.2 miles. The western shoreline of the lake is …
What IDNR says is available at Pittsfield Lake
- Family FriendlyYes
- Handicap AccessYes
- Boat FishingYes – No hp limit and no wake only
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsYes – Kayak Rentals
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
We copied the Pittsfield Lake entry from IFishIllinois without edits.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
How IDNR rates the fishing at Pittsfield Lake
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | Good | 2 Hybrid Striped Bass were collected during the 2025 fall fish population survey. Fish ranged from 22.1 – 22.8” and weighed up to 6.3 lbs. Hybrid Striped Bass are stocked annually when hatchery production allows. |
| Flathead Catfish | Excellent | IDNR Fisheries completed the Spring Low-Pulse Electrofishing Catfish Survey on Pittsfield Lake on 5/13/2025. 40 Flathead Catfish ranging from 6.2-42.4” were sampled. The top 5 Flathead Catfish weighed in at 47lbs… |
| Bluegill | Poor | The Bluegill population at Lake Pittsfield is characterized by a high density of fish measuring 2.0-6.6” in average condition. Bluegill over 7” are occasionally sampled. Bluegill don’t tend to thrive in fish communities… |
| Channel Catfish | Good | Channel Catfish stocking was implemented in 2019 to compensate for poor reproduction and recruitment of Channel Catfish in Pittsfield Lake. The 2025 fall electrofishing survey produced 12 Channel Catfish ranging from… |
| Largemouth Bass | Very Good | In 2025, we collected 135 Largemouth Bass per hour of electrofishing, exceeding the management goal of 60 bass/hr. Bass ranged from 3.1 – 21.3” and weighed up to 5.7 lbs. The population structure is good with 24.5% of… |
| Walleye | Good | Walleye fingerlings are stocked by the State hatchery annually to augment the existing Walleye fishery in Pittsfield Lake. 9,762 1.4” Walleye were stocked on May 20, 2026. During 2026 spring night time electrofishing… |
IDNR rates flathead catfish at Pittsfield Lake as excellent, the top mark in its outlook here.
Species for Pittsfield Lake 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 white bass herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Survey history at Pittsfield Lake
- IDNRGolden Shiner, Grass Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Backing a trailer into Pittsfield Lake
- Pittsfield Lake Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch
- Pittsfield Lake North Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch
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 Pittsfield Lake
- Pittsfield LakeIDNR depth map
- Pittsfield Lake CampingIDNR depth map
- Pittsfield Lake DamIDNR depth map
IDNR has drawn 3 depth maps of Pittsfield Lake; the waterbody page carries them.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
What IDNR put into Pittsfield Lake
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Muskellunge | 247 | Adult |
| 2026 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 2,445 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Walleye | 9,672 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | 3,610 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Largemouth Bass | 4,234 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Muskellunge | 245 | Adult |
| 2025 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 2,494 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Walleye | 13,365 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 1,113 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 280 | Adult |
| 2024 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 1,206 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Walleye | 9,785 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
These Pittsfield Lake 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 Pittsfield Lake
| 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 Pittsfield Lake for a species, the statewide row decides.
Local rules at Pittsfield Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsfield Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5) |
| Pittsfield Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Pittsfield Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Pittsfield 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 48, 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.
Pittsfield Lake next to the lakes around it
The biggest neighbour here is Siloam Springs Lake, listed at 58 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsfield Lake | 241 | 34 | 2 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | |
| Pittsfield Lake Ball Park Pond | under a mile southwest | 1.1 | 18 | 0 | Channel Catfish |
| King Park Pond | 3 miles southwest | 0.4 | 0 | Rainbow Trout | |
| Siloam Springs Lake | 20 miles northwest | 58 | 43 | 2 | Rainbow Trout |
| Siloam Springs Family Fishing Pond | 20 miles northwest | 0.8 | 0 | Black Crappie | |
| Buckhorn Pond 1 | 20 miles north | 3.0 | 0 | Bluegill |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Down the county road from Pittsfield Lake
More Illinois lakes within reach of Pittsfield Lake
- Pittsfield Lake Ball Park Pondunder a mile southwest
- King Park Pond3 miles southwest
- Siloam Springs Lake20 miles northwest
- Siloam Springs Family Fishing Pond20 miles northwest
- Buckhorn Pond 120 miles north
Tackle stops within a short drive of Pittsfield Lake
- Reel Net & Twinebait and tackle shop, Pittsfield, 2 miles
- Big River Fishbait and tackle shop, Griggsville, 4 miles
- Two Rivers Marinamarina, Rockport, 20 miles
- The Boat Housemarina, Clayton, 20 miles
Beds and breakfasts for a run to Pittsfield Lake
- Pittsfield4 miles
- Griggsville5 miles
- Winchester16 miles
Courthouse-county pages reaching Pittsfield Lake
- Pike Countyseat: Pittsfield
Spinning reels from Piscifun matched to Pittsfield Lake
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Lakes and river bends close to Pittsfield Lake, in pictures
Photo: chumlee10, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Denise Krebs, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Matt Turner, CC BY 2.0
What gets asked about Pittsfield Lake around Illinois
Is Pittsfield Lake upstate, central or down in Little Egypt?
Lake Pittsfield is located in Pike County in West-Central Illinois between Pittsfield and Griggsville south of Interstate 72 and east of Route 107. Search Pike County, about 4 miles from Pittsfield.
What acre figure does IFishIllinois print for Pittsfield Lake?
241 acres, per IDNR, and the IDNR text gives a 34 foot maximum depth.
Which launches on the IDNR map serve Pittsfield Lake?
IDNR plots 2 boat ramps; start at Pittsfield Lake Boat Ramp.
How does IDNR grade the bass at Pittsfield Lake?
First in the IDNR outlook: striped bass x white bass (wiper), good; also present per IDNR are flathead catfish, bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass and walleye.
Does a digest length rule cover Pittsfield Lake?
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 Pittsfield Lake?
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 Pittsfield Lake?
No pier is inventoried; the IDNR page notes Family Friendly Yes; Handicap Access Yes.
Where are crawlers sold on the way to Pittsfield Lake?
Nearest in our shop file: Reel Net & Twine, about 2 miles away,.
Save a Saturday for Pittsfield Lake
Buy the Illinois license online before you leave.