Spring Lake (South) Fishing
An IDNR lake of 610 acres, found in Tazewell County.
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What an Illinois angler should know about Spring Lake (South)
The IFishIllinois entry gives Spring Lake (South) 610 acres; the lake sits in Tazewell County. Count about 4 miles from the map point to Banner, the closest Census place.
IDNR maps 2 boat ramps along the shore. The 2019 IDNR asset list adds 1 fishing pier. 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 (South)
- Location (IDNR)South Spring Lake is a 610-acre body of water located 6 miles north and west of Manito, Illinois, adjacent to the Illinois River.
- Description (IDNR)South 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 South Lake was separated from the North Lake in 1978 by a stop log structure and a spillway for discharge water. South Spring Lake receives 103 acre-feet of recharge daily from springs and seeps. Spring Lake currently has a 25 horsepower limit for outboard …
Yes or no: what Spring Lake (South) offers, per IDNR
- Family FriendlyYes
- 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 (South) as printed.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
What the electrofishing found at Spring Lake (South)
For Spring Lake (South), 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.
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- IDNRSouth Spring Lake was rehabilitated in 1986 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 vegetation flourished. Good fishing for Largemouth Bass, crappie, sunfish and catfish soon resulted. Because of its shallow water and clarity, South Spring Lake has a tremendous coverage of …
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Trailer ramps that serve Spring Lake (South)
- Spring Lake (North) Boat Rampconcrete ramp
- Spring Lake (South) Boat Rampconcrete ramp
Walk-up casting spots at Spring Lake (South)
- Pike Hole Fishing Dock on Spring Lake (South)fishing pier, IDNR site: Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery
Neighbouring ramps around Spring Lake (South)
- Skyranch Boat Ramp on Spring Lake (North)Spring Lake (North), 5 miles northeast
- Johnson Lake – Banner Marsh Boat Ramp on Lake 29 (Banner Marsh)Lake 29 (Banner Marsh), 5 miles north
- Powerton Lake Boat RampPowerton Lake, 11 miles northeast
- Thompson Lake – Emiquon Boat RampThompson Lake (Emiquon), 13 miles southwest
- Double T Lake Boat RampDouble T Lake, 15 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.
Docks and fish cleaning tables at Spring Lake (South)
- South Lake Boat Dockboat dock, near Spring Lake
- North Lake Boat Dockboat dock, near Spring Lake
The asset list behind these Spring Lake (South) rows dates from 2019.
IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
IDNR depth maps of Spring Lake (South)
- Spring Lake NorthIDNR depth map
- Spring Lake SouthIDNR depth map
The IFishIllinois page for Spring Lake (South) links 2 depth maps.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR hatchery trucks at Spring Lake (South)
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | 9,000 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Northern Pike | 40,890 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Northern Pike | 16,171 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Northern Pike | 5,212 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2023 | Channel Catfish | 9,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Northern Pike | 3,054 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Northern Pike | 2,003 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2022 | Channel Catfish | 9,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Northern Pike | 3,870 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
The IDNR table credits Spring Lake (South) 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 (South)
| 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 (South), then check its own entry.
Digest lines written just for Spring Lake (South)
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5). All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4) |
| Spring Lake | Blue or Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Spring Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Spring Lake | Pure Muskellunge | 42 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Spring Lake | Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 17 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Spring Lake | 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 …
- Code 4When using live bait, all live bait in excess of 8" in total length shall be rigged with a quick set rig. The hook shall be immediately set upon the strike. A quick set rig is defined as follows: a live bait rig with up to 2 treble hooks attached …
- 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 56, 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 (South) against other Illinois lakes
Rice Lake tops this table with 1,383 IDNR acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Lake (South) | 610 | 2 | |||
| Big Lake (RLFWA) | 2 miles west | not printed | 24 | 0 | Channel Catfish |
| Shovel Lake (Banner Marsh) | 3 miles north | not printed | 1 | Bluegill | |
| Rice Lake | 3 miles west | 1,383 | 1 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Spring Lake (North) | 3 miles northeast | not printed | 2 | Muskellunge | |
| Duck Island Main Lake (RLFWA) | 3 miles west | not printed | 24 | 0 | Channel Catfish |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Inside a cornfield drive of Spring Lake (South)
Nearby impoundments to try after Spring Lake (South)
- Big Lake (RLFWA)2 miles west
- Shovel Lake (Banner Marsh)3 miles north
- Rice Lake3 miles west
- Spring Lake (North)3 miles northeast
- Duck Island Main Lake (RLFWA)3 miles west
Bait counters on the drive to Spring Lake (South)
- J & J Riverside Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Pekin, 14 miles
- Tall Timbers Marinamarina, Havana, 15 miles
- Presleys Outdoorssporting goods store, Bartonville, 16 miles
- Hosss Hawg Baitbait and tackle shop, Elmwood, 20 miles
- Bass Pro Shops East Peoriasporting goods store, East Peoria, 22 miles
- Detweiller Marinamarina, Peoria, 23 miles
No rod? Loaner sites near Spring Lake (South)
- Havana Nature CenterHavana, 15 miles
Places to sleep and eat near Spring Lake (South)
- Manito6 miles
- Canton11 miles
- Havana15 miles
Spring Lake (South), 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 (South)
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Timber, cornfield and water around Spring Lake (South) through a lens
Photo: Wizard298, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Richie Diesterheft, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Denise Krebs, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Spring Lake (South), sorted out question by question
Which counties border Spring Lake (South)?
South Spring Lake is a 610-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 4 miles from Banner.
How many IDNR acres does Spring Lake (South) spread over?
IDNR lists 610 acres.
Which IDNR ramp is handiest for Spring Lake (South)?
2 boat ramps are mapped, including Spring Lake (North) Boat Ramp.
Which fish turn up in IDNR surveys of Spring Lake (South)?
Expect channel catfish and northern pike, among others.
What does the 2026 digest let me keep at Spring Lake (South)?
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 (South)?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Does Spring Lake (South) have shore access?
Pike Hole Fishing Dock on Spring Lake (South) is one of 1 fishing pier.
Where do Spring Lake (South) anglers buy tackle?
J & J Riverside Bait & Tackle, about 14 miles away, is the first shop on our list.
Make the drive to Spring Lake (South)
IDNR fees and the statewide table are on one page.