Spring Lake (North) Fishing
A lake IDNR covers in Tazewell County.
Pick for muskyPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Spring Lake (North): Scott Tranchitella, CC BY-SA 2.0
What an Illinois angler should know about Spring Lake (North)
A lake of Tazewell County, Spring Lake (North) carries no printed size here: the IDNR numbers conflict. Count about 5 miles from the map point to Banner, the closest Census place.
IDNR maps 2 boat ramps along the shore. Statewide limits change here under a digest entry.
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.
Site notes IDNR prints for Spring Lake (North)
- Location (IDNR)North Spring Lake is a 578-acre body of water located 6 miles north and west of Manito, Illinois, adjacent to the Illinois River.
- Description (IDNR)North Spring Lake is an elongated backwater lateral marsh of the Illinois River. It was separated by a high levee from the Illinois River in 1916. The North Lake was separated from the South Lake in 1978 by a stop log structure and a spillway for discharge water. Spring Lake currently has a 25 horsepower limit for outboard motors. The main access is via the Spring Lake blacktop road. A single lane boat ramp is …
- More from IDNRNorth Spring Lake is a shallow, very fertile backwater. It has a 75% coverage of aquatic vegetation after April and until November of each year. The lake is closed to boat fishing one week prior to regular waterfowl season, and until the end of waterfowl season each year.
Yes or no: what Spring Lake (North) offers, per IDNR
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessYes
- Boat FishingYes – 25 hp motor limit
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
Text and flags in this band repeat the IFishIllinois page for Spring Lake (North) as printed.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
What the electrofishing found at Spring Lake (North)
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge | Fair | The 2025 spring musky survey yielded 29 fish, for a total of 0.2 fish per net-night. 6.9% of fish captured were greater or equal to 38”. The spring musky sample had been declining for the past few years possibly due to… |
| Crappie spp. | Good | The 2025 black crappie population indices show 99.2% over 8 inches and 58.7% over 10 inches in length. The 5-year averages are 83.2% over 8 inches and 22.1% over 10 inches. In 2018 a new harvest regulation started for… |
| Largemouth Bass | Fair | The 2025 surveys show the Largemouth Bass population indices at 54.7% being over 12 inches, 14.7% of the population being above 15 inches and 2.7% over 20 inches in length. The 5-year averages are 48.2% over 12 inches… |
| Channel Catfish | Good | An excellent population of catchable-sized Channel Catfish is found at North Spring Lake. The 5-year average shows 63.6% over 16 inches and 1.6% over 24 inches in length. Stockings occur annually. |
For Spring Lake (North), the fish shown have an IDNR outlook line, stocking row or record behind them.
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 musky herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 How Spring Lake (North) got to be the fishery it is
- IDNRNorth Spring Lake was rehabilitated in the 1980s to remove an undesirable Common Carp-Gizzard Shad fish population. As a result of the rehabilitation, an excellent fish population resulted. Water clarity improved and aquatic weeds flourished. Good fishing for Largemouth Bass, crappie, sunfish and catfish soon resulted. As part of an effort to develop a brood source for Muskie, Spring Lake has been stocked with …
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Trailer ramps that serve Spring Lake (North)
- Skyranch Boat Ramp on Spring Lake (North)gravel ramp
- Spring Lake (North) State Park Drive Boat Ramplaunch
Neighbouring ramps around Spring Lake (North)
- Spring Lake (North) Boat RampSpring Lake (South), 3 miles southwest
- Johnson Lake – Banner Marsh Boat Ramp on Lake 29 (Banner Marsh)Lake 29 (Banner Marsh), 3 miles northwest
- Spring Lake (South) Boat RampSpring Lake (South), 5 miles southwest
- Powerton Lake Boat RampPowerton Lake, 7 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 depth maps of Spring Lake (North)
- Spring Lake (North)IDNR depth map
The IFishIllinois page for Spring Lake (North) links 1 depth map.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR hatchery trucks at Spring Lake (North)
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Muskellunge | 17,388 | Fry |
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | 7,200 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Muskellunge | 57,001 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Muskellunge | 15,684 | Egg |
| 2025 | Muskellunge | 8,468 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | 5,400 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 580 | Adult |
| 2023 | Channel Catfish | 8,703 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | 76,330 | Fry |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | 1,733 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Channel Catfish | 9,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Muskellunge | 39,000 | Fry |
The IDNR table credits Spring Lake (North) with these fish; release days are not published.
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 IDNR keep rules for Spring Lake (North)
| 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 |
Start with the statewide rows at Spring Lake (North), then check its own entry.
Digest lines written just for Spring Lake (North)
- There is a 25 horsepower motor limit on Spring Lake. The lake is closed to boat fishing 1 week prior to regular waterfowl season, and remains closed until the end of waterfowl season each year. During this closure period, bank …
- Tournaments:
- All bass tournaments must register online using the Tournament Permit System at least 30 days before the event.
- Recreational Use Restriction: Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (see above)
- All Fish: 2 pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached while fishing; bow fishing is allowed
- All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and less than 18 inches; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Site-specific regulations on the IFishIllinois page, as printed, ifishillinois.org, 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.
Sizing Spring Lake (North) against other Illinois lakes
Spring Lake (South) tops this table with 610 IDNR acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Lake (North) | not printed | 2 | Muskellunge | ||
| Banner Marsh Ponds | 3 miles northwest | not printed | 0 | Bluegill | |
| Spring Lake (South) | 3 miles southwest | 610 | 2 | ||
| Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh) | 3 miles north | not printed | 0 | Channel Catfish | |
| Lake 29 (Banner Marsh) | 3 miles northwest | 22 | 1 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Shovel Lake (Banner Marsh) | 4 miles west | not printed | 1 | Bluegill |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Inside a cornfield drive of Spring Lake (North)
Nearby impoundments to try after Spring Lake (North)
- Banner Marsh Ponds3 miles northwest
- Spring Lake (South)3 miles southwest
- Johnson Lake (Banner Marsh)3 miles north
- Lake 29 (Banner Marsh)3 miles northwest
- Shovel Lake (Banner Marsh)4 miles west
Bait counters on the drive to Spring Lake (North)
- J & J Riverside Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Pekin, 10 miles
- Presleys Outdoorssporting goods store, Bartonville, 13 miles
- Hosss Hawg Baitbait and tackle shop, Elmwood, 18 miles
- Tall Timbers Marinamarina, Havana, 18 miles
- Bass Pro Shops East Peoriasporting goods store, East Peoria, 19 miles
- Detweiller Marinamarina, Peoria, 20 miles
No rod? Loaner sites near Spring Lake (North)
- Havana Nature CenterHavana, 18 miles
Places to sleep and eat near Spring Lake (North)
- Manito6 miles
- Canton12 miles
- Pekin12 miles
Spring Lake (North), cut along Illinois county lines
- Tazewell Countyseat: Pekin
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on Spring Lake (North)
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Timber, cornfield and water around Spring Lake (North) through a lens
Photo: Richie Diesterheft, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Wizard298, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Denise Krebs, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Spring Lake (North), sorted out question by question
Which counties border Spring Lake (North)?
North Spring Lake is a 578-acre body of water located 6 miles north and west of Manito, Illinois, adjacent to the Illinois River. Point the car at Tazewell County, about 5 miles from Banner.
How many IDNR acres does Spring Lake (North) spread over?
IDNR prints two sizes that do not agree, so this page shows none.
Which IDNR ramp is handiest for Spring Lake (North)?
2 boat ramps are mapped, including Skyranch Boat Ramp on Spring Lake (North).
Which fish turn up in IDNR surveys of Spring Lake (North)?
muskellunge lead the IDNR outlook (fair), with largemouth bass and channel catfish also named.
What does the 2026 digest let me keep at Spring Lake (North)?
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. Site rules printed above take priority.
May a visitor from Indiana or Iowa fish Spring Lake (North)?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Does Spring Lake (North) have shore access?
IDNR facility flags: Family Friendly No; Handicap Access Yes; piers are not listed.
Where do Spring Lake (North) anglers buy tackle?
J & J Riverside Bait & Tackle, about 10 miles away, is the first shop on our list.
Make the drive to Spring Lake (North)
IDNR fees and the statewide table are on one page.