Sangchris Lake Fishing
Sized by IDNR at 2,321 acres, this lake lies in Christian County.
Pick for catfishPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo: Denny Armstrong, CC BY 2.0
Sangchris Lake, measured out for Illinois anglers
2,321 acres of lake water make up Sangchris Lake, which IDNR places in Christian County. Supplies are closest in Tovey, about 3 miles by straight line.
The IDNR launch layer marks 3 boat ramps at this water. For bank fishing, IDNR records 5 fishing piers. 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 Sangchris Lake
- Location (IDNR)Sangchris Lake is located 20 miles southeast of Springfield off of Illinois Route 104, 7 miles north of Bulpitt.
- Description (IDNR)Sangchris Lake is 2,325 acres. The lake was developed as a result of damming Clear Creek in 1964. The Division of Fisheries has been involved in the management of this lake from its beginning in 1965. It was owned by Commonwealth Edison and served as a cooling lake for their coal-fired power plant. The fish community is therefore highly dependent on power plant operation. Commonwealth Edison sold the plant to …
Facilities IDNR checks off at Sangchris Lake
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessYes
- Boat FishingYes – Unrestricted, over 25 hp no wake speed only
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsYes
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
Everything above is IDNR wording for Sangchris Lake.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR-rated fish swimming in Sangchris Lake
IDNR sources tie these fish to Sangchris Lake: 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 catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 The fishery record of Sangchris Lake
- IDNRThe lake boasts 100 miles of shoreline and is characterized by a west and middle arm cooling loop and an east ambient arm. The east arm receives much of the water within the watershed, and therefore suffers from siltation. Much of the shoreline and cove habitat was once composed of dense beds of water lily and submersed aquatic vegetation. Those communities have recently collapsed and no cause has been …
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Getting a boat into Sangchris Lake
- Sangchris Lake East Boat Ramplaunch
- Sangchris Lake Strawkas Point Boat Rampconcrete ramp
- Sangchris Lake West Boat Ramplaunch
Shore access at Sangchris Lake, no boat needed
- Sangchris Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Sangchris Lake
- Sangchris Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Sangchris Lake
- Sangchris Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Sangchris Lake
- Sangchris Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Sangchris Lake
- Sangchris Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Sangchris Lake
Backup launches if the Sangchris Lake lot is full
- Kincaid City Reservoir Boat RampKincaid City Reservoir, 6 miles southeast
- Lake Springfield Marine Point Boat RampLake Springfield, 9 miles northwest
- Lake Springfield Center Park Harbor Boat RampLake Springfield, 10 miles northwest
- Lake Springfield Lindsay Bridge Boat RampLake Springfield, 10 miles northwest
- Lake Springfield Center Park Sailboat Boat RampLake Springfield, 10 miles northwest
- Lake Springfield Lake Springfield Marina RampLake Springfield, 10 miles northwest
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.
Dockage and cleaning stations on Sangchris Lake
- Access Area 2boat dock, near Sangchris Lake
- Sangchris Lake Boat Dockboat dock, near Sangchris Lake
- Hickory Point Boat Dockboat dock, near Sangchris Lake
- Hickory Point Boat Dockboat dock, near Sangchris Lake
- Hickory Point Boat Dockboat dock, near Sangchris Lake
- Sangchris Lake Boat Dockboat dock, near Sangchris Lake
- Hickory Point Boat Dockboat dock, near Sangchris Lake
- Sangchris Lake Boat Dockboat dock, near Sangchris Lake
- Sangchris Lake Boat Dockboat dock, near Sangchris Lake
- Sangchris Lake Boat Dockboat dock, near Sangchris Lake
- East Boat Dockfish cleaning station, metal
IDNR recorded these docks and stations at Sangchris Lake in its 2019 asset survey.
IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
Bottom maps for Sangchris Lake
- Sangchris East ArmsIDNR depth map
- Sangchris East Harbor AccessIDNR depth map
- Sangchris EllisIDNR depth map
- Sangchris LakeIDNR depth map
- Sangchris NorthIDNR depth map
- Sangchris ToveyIDNR depth map
- Sangchris West Hill AccessIDNR depth map
IDNR lists 7 depth maps for Sangchris Lake.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Fish allowed in the cooler at Sangchris 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 |
Statewide limits hold on Sangchris Lake except where its own entry differs.
Site-specific rules for Sangchris Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Sangchris Lake | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (13). Bank fishing along the dam shall be permitted. Fishing shall be prohibited in the east and west arms of the lake during the period from 10 days prior to the duck season through the end of the duck season. Fishing shall be prohibited in the west arm of the lake |
| Sangchris Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). Sport fishermen may take carp, buffalo, suckers and gar by bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears (except during waterfowl season) but not within 200 yards of any developed recreational areas |
| Sangchris Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Sangchris Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches |
- 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 13It shall be unlawful to enter upon areas designated as waterfowl hunting areas during the 10 days prior to the start of the regular duck season, or to fish on such areas during the regular duck season except in areas posted as open to fishing. It shall …
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 53, 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.
IDNR record weights from Sangchris Lake
| Species | Weight | Division | Date | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead Catfish | 81 lbs 6.4 oz | hook and line | August 26, 2015 | Christian |
| Striped Bass | 31 lbs 7 oz | hook and line | May 23, 1994 | Christian |
| Freshwater Drum | 20 lbs 4 oz | bow and arrow | February 20, 2023 | Christian |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Illinois lakes clustered around Sangchris Lake
For more room, Lake Springfield has 3,866 acres on its IDNR page.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sangchris Lake | 2,321 | 3 | |||
| Kincaid City Reservoir | 6 miles southeast | 31 | 15 | 1 | Crappie spp. |
| Lake Springfield | 11 miles northwest | 3,866 | 30 | 7 | Bluegill |
| Taylorville Park District Pond | 11 miles southeast | 5.0 | 0 | ||
| IDOT Lake | 13 miles northwest | 17 | 0 | ||
| Lake Taylorville | 14 miles southeast | 1,286 | 1 | White Crappie |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Near Sangchris Lake
A second lake for the day after Sangchris Lake
- Kincaid City Reservoir6 miles southeast
- Lake Springfield11 miles northwest
- Taylorville Park District Pond11 miles southeast
- IDOT Lake13 miles northwest
- Lake Taylorville14 miles southeast
Stores with hooks and line around Sangchris Lake
- Old Guy Tackle Cobait and tackle shop, Divernon, 10 miles
- Big Red's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Springfield, 12 miles
- Angler's Workshopfly shop, Springfield, 14 miles
- B Hayes Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Springfield, 15 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Springfieldsporting goods store, Springfield, 16 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Springfieldsporting goods store, Springfield, 16 miles
Free loaner rods within reach of Sangchris Lake
- Chatham Area Public LibraryChatham, 12 miles
- IL Dept. of Natural ResourcesSpringfield, 18 miles
Town bases for anglers near Sangchris Lake
- Kincaid4 miles
- Edinburg5 miles
- Pawnee6 miles
Each county Sangchris Lake touches, with links
- Christian Countyseat: Taylorville
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun reels to stow in the truck for Sangchris Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
The ponds and rivers around Sangchris Lake, photographed
Photo: Denny Armstrong, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Matt Turner, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Dave Wright, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Dan, CC BY 2.0
Before the tackle box goes in the car for Sangchris Lake
Where in Illinois is Sangchris Lake?
Sangchris Lake is located 20 miles southeast of Springfield off of Illinois Route 104, 7 miles north of Bulpitt. Head for Christian County, about 3 miles from Tovey.
What size does IDNR list for Sangchris Lake?
Its IDNR size is 2,321 acres.
Does Sangchris Lake have a ramp on the IDNR layer?
Use Sangchris Lake East Boat Ramp or another of 3 boat ramps.
How is the fishing at Sangchris Lake?
IDNR sources name flathead catfish, striped bass and freshwater drum.
What can I take home from Sangchris 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. Check the site-specific rows above as well.
Which IDNR license goes in my wallet at Sangchris Lake?
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 Sangchris Lake?
5 fishing piers are on the IDNR list, including Sangchris Lake Fishing Pier.
Which counter near Sangchris Lake keeps a minnow tank?
Head to Old Guy Tackle Co, about 10 miles away,.
Has Sangchris Lake produced a state record?
Flathead Catfish at 81 lbs 6.4 oz (hook and line division, August 26, 2015) is the heaviest entry IDNR lists for Sangchris Lake; IDNR prints no angler names.
Plan a morning on Sangchris Lake
Know what goes in the cooler before you launch.