Powerton Lake Fishing
IDNR lists 1,426 acres of lake water in Tazewell County.
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Powerton Lake in brief
Powerton Lake is a lake of 1,426 acres in Tazewell County, going by the IDNR page. The closest town on the Census list is Mapleton, near 2 miles away.
The IDNR fishing map plots 1 boat ramp on it. Anglers without a boat have 1 fishing pier from the IDNR inventory. It has its own lines in the site-specific regulations.
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 notes on Powerton Lake
- Location (IDNR)Powerton Lake is located in west-central Illinois 2 miles southwest of Pekin, Illinois in Tazewell County.
- Description (IDNR)Powerton Lake was constructed and filled in 1971 by Commonwealth Edison Company. Its purpose was to provide cooling water for a fossil fuel fired electric generation facility. Powerton Station was constructed in the 1930s, but greatly expanded in 1971. Water quality law made it necessary for the plant to construct a cooling lake, rather than using the Illinois River for cooling the heat exchanger. Powerton …
IDNR facility flags for Powerton Lake
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessNo
- Boat FishingYes – Unrestricted
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingNo
- PicnickingNo
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
IDNR wrote these lines for Powerton Lake; nothing was reworded.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Species and ratings at Powerton Lake
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Catfish | Excellent | An initial stocking of Blue Catfish (35,000) was made in October of 1999 from stocks received from Arkansas and reared at the Little Grassy Hatchery to 4.5 inches in length. We have stocked a total of over 100,000 Blue… |
| Largemouth Bass | Fair | The 2024 fall electrofishing survey collected 18 Largemouth Bass. These fish ranged from 7 to 19 inches in length. The average body condition was excellent at a 114 value. |
| Channel Catfish | Good | The 2024 survey collected 6 Channel Catfish ranging from 11 to 17 inches with a body condition of 96. Historically it has been a high-density population of fish under 16 inches in length in average to poor body… |
Top of the IDNR outlook at Powerton Lake: blue catfish, rated excellent.
An IDNR source backs every fish listed for Powerton Lake.
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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- IDNRIn 2001, Blue Catfish stocks were obtained from Arkansas and stocked into Powerton Lake with the hope that it would create an excellent trophy fishery. The catfish grew quickly in the warm water of the lake and had attained a size of 50 pounds by 2011. The lake has been stocked annually with this species and will be evaluated for natural reproduction. Hybrid Striped Bass have been stocked in Powerton to …
- We were able to collect a total of 16 species of fish in our fall of 2018 fish sample. Sampled species included: Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, Bigmouth Buffalo, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Common Carp, Smallmouth Buffalo, Freshwater Drum, Brook Silversides, Silver Carp, and Green Sunfish. Not collected were: Pirate Perch, Shortnose Gar, Alligator Gar, and Bighead Carp. Powerton Lake's fish population is …
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Ramps around Powerton Lake
- Powerton Lake Boat Rampconcrete ramp, Gasoline motors required
Docks and piers on Powerton Lake
- Powerton Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Powerton Lake
Launches one bay over from Powerton Lake
- Skyranch Boat Ramp on Spring Lake (North)Spring Lake (North), 6 miles southwest
- Johnson Lake – Banner Marsh Boat Ramp on Lake 29 (Banner Marsh)Lake 29 (Banner Marsh), 8 miles west
- Spring Lake (North) Boat RampSpring Lake (South), 10 miles southwest
- Spring Lake (South) Boat RampSpring Lake (South), 12 miles southwest
- Illinois River – Peoria Detweiller Marina Boat Ramp on Illinois River, Peoria PoolIllinois River, Peoria Pool, 13 miles northeast
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
Reading the bottom of Powerton Lake
- Powerton LakeIDNR depth map
- Powerton Lake East EndIDNR depth map
- Powerton Lake West EndIDNR depth map
3 depth maps for Powerton Lake sit on the IDNR page.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR stocking rows for Powerton Lake
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | All Sunfish spp. exc. BSS/CRP | 300 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Blue Catfish | 34,277 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Largemouth Bass | 266 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Largemouth Bass | 260 | Adult |
| 2026 | Smallmouth Bass | 125,761 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Black Crappie | 67,795 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Black Crappie | 15,377 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Blue Catfish | 22,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Largemouth Bass | 285 | Adult |
| 2025 | Smallmouth Bass | 83,114 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Smallmouth Bass | 77,532 | Egg |
| 2025 | Smallmouth Bass | 4,736 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
Year, species, size class and count for Powerton Lake, as IDNR lists them.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
Creel and length limits on Powerton 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 |
The 2026 statewide table is the default for Powerton Lake.
Special regulations IDNR lists for Powerton Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Powerton Lake | Recreational Use Restrictions Powerton Lake shall be closed to boat traffic except for legal waterfowl hunters from one week prior to regular waterfowl season to February 15, and closed to all unauthorized entry during regular Canada goose and duck season. | |
| Powerton Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Powerton Lake | Blue, Channel, or Flathead Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 35 inches |
| Powerton Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Powerton Lake | Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 3 Fish greater than or equal to 17 inches |
| Powerton Lake | Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye | 18 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 …
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 49, 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.
Nearby lakes beside Powerton Lake in one table
Among the five nearest lake pages, Mineral Springs Park Lagoon is the largest IDNR listing at 7.0 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powerton Lake | 1,426 | 1 | Blue Catfish | ||
| Mineral Springs Park Lagoon | 4 miles east | 7.0 | 8 | 0 | |
| Wheel Lake (Banner Marsh) | 6 miles west | not printed | 1 | Channel Catfish | |
| Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | 7 miles west | not printed | 0 | Channel Catfish | |
| Spring Lake (North) | 8 miles southwest | not printed | 2 | Muskellunge | |
| Banner Marsh Ponds | 8 miles west | not printed | 0 | Bluegill |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
A few miles of blacktop from Powerton Lake
Other water a county or two from Powerton Lake
- Mineral Springs Park Lagoon4 miles east
- Wheel Lake (Banner Marsh)6 miles west
- Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh)7 miles west
- Spring Lake (North)8 miles southwest
- Banner Marsh Ponds8 miles west
Where to buy crawlers and minnows near Powerton Lake
- J & J Riverside Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Pekin, 3 miles
- Presleys Outdoorssporting goods store, Bartonville, 7 miles
- Bass Pro Shops East Peoriasporting goods store, East Peoria, 11 miles
- Detweiller Marinamarina, Peoria, 13 miles
- EastPort Marinamarina, East Peoria, 13 miles
- Wharf Harbor Sales Incmarina, Peoria, 14 miles
Towns with motels by Powerton Lake
- Pekin5 miles
- North Pekin6 miles
- Bartonville7 miles
The counties Powerton Lake runs through
- Tazewell Countyseat: Pekin
Piscifun tackle to load up before Powerton Lake
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Fish to recognise on sight at Powerton Lake
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
The bait shop questions about Powerton Lake
Which Illinois town sits nearest Powerton Lake?
Powerton Lake is located in west-central Illinois 2 miles southwest of Pekin, Illinois in Tazewell County. IDNR places it in Tazewell County, about 2 miles from Mapleton.
What size does the IFishIllinois page give Powerton Lake?
About 1,426 acres on the IDNR page.
Where does IDNR map a launch on Powerton Lake?
Use Powerton Lake Boat Ramp, the one IDNR ramp.
Which species does IDNR rate at Powerton Lake?
IDNR calls blue catfish excellent here and lists largemouth bass, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, black crappie and hybrid striped bass as well.
Which Illinois rules apply on Powerton 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. This water also has a site-specific entry, shown in the limits band.
What does an Illinois license cost for Powerton Lake?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Is Powerton Lake good for anglers without a boat?
IDNR inventoried 1 fishing pier, such as Powerton Lake Fishing Pier.
Which store outfits a trip to Powerton Lake?
Stop at J & J Riverside Bait & Tackle, about 3 miles away,.
Tow the rig down to Powerton Lake at dawn
Check the limits, then pick a ramp near your spot.