Photo of Horseshoe Lake: nearly almost, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fishing times todaySolunar periods, sunrise and moonrise for the county around Silver Lake (Highland), today and the next 7 days.Best fishing times today
Madison County
Silver Lake (Highland), measured out for Illinois anglers
550 acres of lake water make up Silver Lake (Highland), which IDNR places in Madison County. Supplies are closest in Highland, about 2 miles by straight line.
The IDNR launch layer marks 2 boat ramps at this water. The digest names it among the site-specific waters.
550acres (IDNR)
2mapped ramps
5IDNR-rated species
8species named
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.
Location (IDNR)Highland Silver Lake is located northwest of Highland on Route 143.
Description (IDNR)This is a 550-acre water supply lake owned by the City of Highland. The fishery of the lake is cooperatively managed by the IDNR and the City of Highland. The shoreline of the lake includes rock, woody structure, and aquatic plants. There is one concrete boat ramp located in Silver Lake Park. There is limited access for shore anglers.
Facilities IDNR checks off at Silver Lake (Highland)
Family FriendlyNo
Handicap AccessYes
Boat FishingYes – 50 hp motor limit
Boat RampsYes
Boat RentalsYes
CampingNo
PicnickingYes
SkiingNo
SwimmingNo
Trout StockingNo
Everything above is IDNR wording for Silver Lake (Highland).
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Species
IDNR-rated fish swimming in Silver Lake (Highland)
25 Channel Catfish were collected, ranging in length from 15 to 27 inches and an average weight of over 2.5lbs. A very good catfish fishery is present in this lake.
The White Crappie population is doing very well in this lake. It appears the lake has good numbers and a very good size distribution with many fish over 10 inches collected in the 2020 survey.
The size distribution of the bass collected looks good and fish are present in several year classes. The fish collected were in good condition. Largemouth Bass numbers are low likely due to poor natural reproduction and…
channel catfish earn a very good rating from IDNR at Silver Lake (Highland).
IDNR sources tie these fish to Silver Lake (Highland): 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.
IDNRThe IDNR Division of Fisheries routinely monitors the status of the fishery of Silver Lake. Recent stockings include supplemental Largemouth Bass and annual Sauger.
The Largemouth Bass numbers are still lower than we would like in this lake. However, the size structure of the population and fish condition are good. Hopefully, the supplemental stockings of Largemouth Bass will help improve these numbers. The new rearing pond will also provide additional bass for stocking. Water quality improvements and shoreline stabilization efforts are likely helping to improve spawning …
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Access
Getting a boat into Silver Lake (Highland)
Silver Lake (Highland) Boat Ramplaunch, City boat license required to launch/boat on lake
Silver Lake Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch, non-motorized boats only
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
IDNR lists these releases for Silver Lake (Highland) 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.
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
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
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.
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
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 Silver Lake (Highland) except where its own entry differs.
Site-specific rules for Silver Lake (Highland)
Water as printed
Species
Rule as printed (code)
Silver Lake
Large or Smallmouth Bass
15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Before the tackle box goes in the car for Silver Lake (Highland)
Where in Illinois is Silver Lake (Highland)?
Highland Silver Lake is located northwest of Highland on Route 143. Head for Madison County, about 2 miles from Highland.
What size does IDNR list for Silver Lake (Highland)?
Its IDNR size is 550 acres.
Does Silver Lake (Highland) have a ramp on the IDNR layer?
Use Silver Lake (Highland) Boat Ramp or another of 2 boat ramps.
How is the fishing at Silver Lake (Highland)?
IDNR rates redear sunfish fair; its sources also name bluegill, channel catfish, white crappie, largemouth bass and rainbow trout.
What can I take home from Silver Lake (Highland)?
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 Silver Lake (Highland)?
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 Silver Lake (Highland)?
Its IDNR facility line reads Family Friendly No; Handicap Access Yes, with no inventoried pier.
Which counter near Silver Lake (Highland) keeps a minnow tank?
Head to Jerry's Tackle and Guns, about 4 miles away,.
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