Thompson Lake (Emiquon) Fishing
IDNR lists 4,000 acres of lake water in Fulton County.
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Thompson Lake (Emiquon) in brief
Thompson Lake (Emiquon) is a lake of 4,000 acres in Fulton County, going by the IDNR page. The closest town on the Census list is Havana, near 4 miles away.
The IDNR fishing map plots 1 boat ramp on it. 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 Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
- Location (IDNR)The Nature Conservancy's Emiquon Preserve is adjacent to the Illinois River in Fulton County, Illinois, approximately 1 mile northwest of Havana and 3 miles southeast of Lewistown.
- Description (IDNR)Historically, what is now the Emiquon Preserve included two backwater lakes, Thompson Lake and Flag Lake, and was argued to have been one of the better hunting and fishing complexes in the Illinois River Valley if not the whole Midwest. From the early 1920s through the present, most of the property currently owned by the Conservancy was managed for agriculture, most recently primarily for intensive row-crop …
IDNR facility flags for Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
- Family FriendlyYes
- Handicap AccessNo
- Boat FishingYes – Electric trolling motors only
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingNo
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
IDNR wrote these lines for Thompson Lake (Emiquon); nothing was reworded.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Species and ratings at Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Average | In 2024, the Largemouth Bass population was sampled by 79 fish by electrofishing. The Largemouth Bass population was defined by an average year of recruitment with 10 fish sampled from 3.1 to 8.0 inches. The fall 2024… |
| White Crappie | Average | The White Crappie population was again sampled at a low density at .16 fish per minute by electrofishing in 2024. But the 2024, spring trap net survey had an improved collection rate of 6.1 fish per net night. This is a… |
| Pumpkinseed | Poor | In 2024 the Pumpkinseed population was sampled by 15 fish by electrofishing. These fish ranged from 2.4 to 6.2 inches in length. The Pumpkinseed electrofishing collection rate for stock size fish (over 3.1 inches) was… |
| Emerald Bowfin | Fair | The Bowfin population was sampled by 28 fish in the spring trap net survey and 26 fish in the fall electrofishing surveys. The size ranged from 14.3 to 30.3 inches in length. Several year classes appear to be present…. |
| Black Crappie | Average | Black Crappie: The Black Crappie population was sampled by 51 stock sized fish by electrofishing and 274 fish by trap nets in 2024. The Black Crappie electrofishing collection rate was .27 fish per minute for all sizes… |
| Bluegill | Average | In 2024 the Bluegill population was sampled by 228 fish by electrofishing. The survey samples represent a Bluegill population with a distribution from 1.2 to 7.4 inches long. The Bluegill recruitment was low again in… |
| Channel Catfish | Very Good | 37 Channel Catfish were sampled in 2024 by electrofishing and 124 in trap nets. This continues the upward density trend since their consistent sampling that started in 2014. In 2024, the size ranged from 12.7 to 30.0… |
| Yellow Bass | Poor | The Yellow Bass introduction into the Emiquon Preserve has allowed this population to expand rapidly since 2018. The catch per minute rate by electrofishing went up from .49 fish per minute in 2020 to 1.2 fish per… |
Top of the IDNR outlook at Thompson Lake (Emiquon): channel catfish, rated very good.
An IDNR source backs every fish listed for Thompson Lake (Emiquon).
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 2007, The Nature Conservancy entered into a Cooperative Fish Management Agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the Emiquon Preserve. The water bodies on the site underwent an immediate fish rehabilitation project to remove exotic fish species. The IDNR initiated fish restocking in 2007 with brood fish that included: Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Bowfin …
- In 2024, the total nonnative fish collected were 53 Common Carp, 7 Silver Carp, 3 Grass Carp and 1 Common Carp x Goldfish Hybrid.
- These new fish species collections probably entered the Preserve from the Illinois River through the new control structure site. The size of these fish indicate that they arrived through a large passage like the control structure. The Silver Carp, Bighead Carp and the Grass Carp had extremely robust body conditions. Their growth is currently at an accelerated rate in the Preserve. No reproduction and …
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Ramps around Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
- Thompson Lake – Emiquon Boat Rampfee noted, Free Access permit required to launch/boat on lake; electric motors only
Launches one bay over from Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
- Spring Lake (South) Boat RampSpring Lake (South), 12 miles northeast
- Spring Lake (North) Boat RampSpring Lake (South), 14 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 stocking rows for Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Alligator Gar | 1,007 | Adult |
Year, species, size class and count for Thompson Lake (Emiquon), 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 Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
| 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 Thompson Lake (Emiquon).
Special regulations IDNR lists for Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Emiquon Preserve – Thompson Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) Bluegill, Redear, Pumpkinseed, Green, |
| Emiquon Preserve – Thompson Lake | Orangespotted Sunfish, or Hybrid Sunfish | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Emiquon Preserve – Thompson Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Emiquon Preserve – Thompson Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Emiquon Preserve – Thompson Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 25 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 27, 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.
State-record fish from Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
| Species | Weight | Division | Date | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Bullhead | 3 lbs 4.8 oz | hook and line | May 8, 2017 | Fulton |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Nearby lakes beside Thompson Lake (Emiquon) in one table
Among the five nearest lake pages, Rice Lake is the largest IDNR listing at 1,383 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thompson Lake (Emiquon) | 4,000 | 1 | Largemouth Bass | ||
| Fulton County Camping and Recreation Area Lakes (FCRA) | 8 miles north | 440 | 20 | 0 | |
| Duck Island Main Lake (RLFWA) | 10 miles northeast | not printed | 24 | 0 | Channel Catfish |
| Rice Lake | 11 miles northeast | 1,383 | 1 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Big Lake (RLFWA) | 11 miles northeast | not printed | 24 | 0 | Channel Catfish |
| Anderson Lake | 12 miles southwest | not printed | 5 | 3 | Channel Catfish |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
A few miles of blacktop from Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
Other water a county or two from Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
- Fulton County Camping and Recreation Area Lakes (FCRA)8 miles north
- Duck Island Main Lake (RLFWA)10 miles northeast
- Rice Lake11 miles northeast
- Big Lake (RLFWA)11 miles northeast
- Anderson Lake12 miles southwest
Where to buy crawlers and minnows near Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
- Tall Timbers Marinamarina, Havana, 4 miles
- B & S Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Ashland, 24 miles
Loaner rod and reel stops near Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
- Havana Nature CenterHavana, 4 miles
- Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWAChandlerville, 25 miles
Towns with motels by Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
- Havana4 miles
- Lewistown5 miles
- Cuba11 miles
The counties Thompson Lake (Emiquon) runs through
- Fulton Countyseat: Lewistown
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun tackle to load up before Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
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Fish to recognise on sight at Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
Photo: kmitschke, CC BY 2.0
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 Thompson Lake (Emiquon)
Which Illinois town sits nearest Thompson Lake (Emiquon)?
The Nature Conservancy's Emiquon Preserve is adjacent to the Illinois River in Fulton County, Illinois, approximately 1 mile northwest of Havana and 3 miles southeast of Lewistown. IDNR places it in Fulton County, about 4 miles from Havana.
What size does the IFishIllinois page give Thompson Lake (Emiquon)?
About 4,000 acres on the IDNR page.
Where does IDNR map a launch on Thompson Lake (Emiquon)?
Use Thompson Lake – Emiquon Boat Ramp, the one IDNR ramp.
Which species does IDNR rate at Thompson Lake (Emiquon)?
IDNR calls largemouth bass average here and lists white crappie, pumpkinseed, emerald bowfin, black crappie and bluegill as well.
Which Illinois rules apply on Thompson Lake (Emiquon)?
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 Thompson Lake (Emiquon)?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Is Thompson Lake (Emiquon) good for anglers without a boat?
IDNR lists no pier, but its facility flags read: Family Friendly Yes; Handicap Access No.
Which store outfits a trip to Thompson Lake (Emiquon)?
Stop at Tall Timbers Marina, about 4 miles away,.
What is the biggest fish from Thompson Lake (Emiquon)?
Brown Bullhead at 3 lbs 4.8 oz (hook and line division, May 8, 2017) is the heaviest entry IDNR lists for Thompson Lake (Emiquon); IDNR prints no angler names.
Tow the rig down to Thompson Lake (Emiquon) at dawn
Check the limits, then pick a ramp near your spot.