Fishing near Springfield, Illinois
Sangamon County, population 114,394.
- 2 milesto nearest lake page
- 8launches nearby
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First stops for a Springfield angler with a rod
At the 2020 Census the city of Springfield (Sangamon County) held 114,394 people. A drive of roughly 2 miles west reaches Washington Park Pond, the closest lake page. Of the lakes listed, Lake Springfield is broadest at roughly 3,866 acres. Lake Springfield Spaulding Dam Boat Ramp is the closest public launch, 3 miles out.
Without a boat, try Sangchris Lake Fishing Pier, some 13 miles off. IL Dept. of Natural Resources, an IDNR tackle loaner site, is 3 miles from town.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Springfield; miles are straight lines.
Closest lakes to Springfield, by the mile
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Park Pond | 2 miles west | 1 | pond | 0 | hybrid sunfish, rainbow trout | |
| IDOT Lake | 2 miles east | 17 | lake | 0 | channel catfish, rainbow trout | |
| Lake Springfield | 5 miles south | 3,866 | 30 ft | lake | 7 | bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish |
| Lake Williamsville | 13 miles northeast | 18 | 13 ft | lake | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish |
| Lake Loami | 14 miles southwest | 11 | 14 ft | lake | 0 | channel catfish |
| Sangchris Lake | 15 miles southeast | 2,321 | lake | 3 | flathead catfish, striped bass, freshwater drum |
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. Launch counts from the IDNR map and 2019 inventory.
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- South Fork Sangamon River6 miles, 2 USGS gauges
River stage around Springfield
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Creek Near Springfield, Il | 19 cfs, 9.79 ft gage height | Nov 5 4:30 pm |
| Spring Creek At Springfield, Il | 2 cfs, 1.64 ft gage height | Nov 5 4:15 pm |
| South Fork Sangamon River Below Rochester, Il | 4.48 ft gage height | Nov 5 4:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 5, 2026 5:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
IDNR IFishIllinois river and pool pages, USGS GNIS names and USGS gauges (live readings); read November 4, 2026.
Ponds, lakes and ramps plotted near Springfield
- Lake Springfield Spaulding Dam Boat RampLake Springfield, IDNR note: City boat license required to launch/boat on lake, 3 miles
- Sangamon River Boat Ramp at SpringfieldSangamon River, launch, 5 miles
- Lake Springfield Center Park Sailboat Boat RampLake Springfield, IDNR note: City boat license required to launch/boat on lake, 5 miles
- Lake Springfield Lindsay Bridge Boat RampLake Springfield, IDNR note: City boat license required to launch/boat on lake, 5 miles
- Lake Springfield Center Park Harbor Boat RampLake Springfield, IDNR note: City boat license required to launch/boat on lake, 5 miles
- Sangamon River Boat Ramp at RivertonSangamon River, launch, 6 miles
- Lake Springfield Marine Point Boat RampLake Springfield, IDNR note: City boat license required to launch/boat on lake, 6 miles
- Lake Springfield Lake Springfield Marina RampLake Springfield, IDNR note: City boat license required to launch/boat on lake, 7 miles
Docks and piers a short hop from Springfield
- Sangchris Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Sangchris Lake, 13 miles
- Sangchris Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Sangchris Lake, 13 miles
- Sangchris Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Sangchris Lake, 13 miles
- Sangchris Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Sangchris Lake, 13 miles
- Sangchris Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Sangchris Lake, 14 miles
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.
Rod loans close to Springfield
| Site | Address | Phone | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| IL Dept. of Natural Resources | One Natural Resources Way, Springfield | (217) 782-0041 | 3 miles |
| Chatham Area Public Library | 600 E. Spruce Street, Chatham | (217) 483-2713 | 9 miles |
These libraries and offices lend fishing gear for free.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Stores that sell hooks in Springfield
Where Springfield anglers buy crawlers
- B Hayes Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Springfield, under a mile
- Angler's Workshopfly shop, Springfield, 2 miles
- Big Red's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Springfield, 3 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Springfieldsporting goods store, Springfield, 4 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Springfieldsporting goods store, Springfield, 4 miles
- Old Guy Tackle Cobait and tackle shop, Divernon
Yellow Pages, chain store and IDNR license vendor listings (miles only for shops with an exact point); guide and charter association pages; read November 4, 2026.
Bass events on water by Springfield
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 8, 2026 | Fishers of Men Illinois Central Classic at Lake Springfield (08/08/2026) | Lake Springfield | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| July 11, 2026 | Fishers of Men Illinois Central Classic at Lake Springfield (07/11/2026) | Lake Springfield | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| June 6, 2026 | Fishers of Men Illinois Central Classic at Lake Springfield (06/06/2026) | Lake Springfield | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| May 21, 2026 | IHSA Bass Fishing Sectional at Lake Springfield (2025-26) | Lake Springfield | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
| May 9, 2026 | Fishers of Men Illinois Central Classic at Lake Springfield (05/09/2026) | Lake Springfield | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| April 11, 2026 | Fishers of Men Illinois Central Classic at Lake Springfield (04/11/2026) | Lake Springfield | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail |
| June 28, 2025 | IBN Team Series Lake Springfield 2025 | Lake Springfield | Illinois B.A.S.S. Nation |
| May 22, 2025 | IHSA Bass Fishing Sectional at Lake Springfield (2024-25) | Lake Springfield | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
Organizer schedule and results pages for events in Sangamon County or within 20 miles, checked November 2026.
IDNR record fish caught by Springfield
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead Catfish | hook and line | 81 lbs 6.4 oz | Sangchris Lake | Aug. 26, 2015 |
| Striped Bass | hook and line | 31 lbs 7 oz | Sangchris Lake | May 23, 1994 |
| Freshwater Drum | bow and arrow | 20 lbs 4 oz | Sangchris Lake | Feb. 20, 2023 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026. Waters within 40 miles.
Fish a Springfield angler may carry home
Plan on $15 for a resident annual or $31.50 for the nonresident version, per IDNR.
| Species | Daily limit | 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 |
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. Lake and river pages print any site-specific digest entry.
An Illinois blacktop jaunt from Springfield
Communities a short drive from Springfield
- Leland Grove2 miles
- Grandview2 miles
- Jerome2 miles
- Southern View3 miles
- Rochester5 miles
Which county covers Springfield
- Sangamon Countyseat: Springfield
Piscifun gear a Prairie State angler could stow for Springfield
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Telling the Springfield fish apart by photo
Photo: Eden, Janine and Jim, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Basing a fishing weekend in Springfield: questions
What lake does a Springfield angler reach first?
Washington Park Pond, 2 miles west.
Where can Springfield anglers back a trailer down?
Lake Springfield Spaulding Dam Boat Ramp, some 3 miles off.
Where can Springfield anglers fish from a pier rail?
Sangchris Lake Fishing Pier, 13 miles away.
What tackle store do Springfield anglers drive to?
B Hayes Bait and Tackle, a under a mile drive.
What Illinois county holds Springfield?
It is in Sangamon County.
How much is a nonresident license for Springfield water?
Visitors from another state pay $31.50 for the IDNR nonresident annual.
Which big lake sits in range of Springfield by IDNR acres?
Lake Springfield lists about 3,866 acres and lies 5 miles off.
Which town page lies closest to Springfield?
By distance: Leland Grove (2 miles), Grandview (2 miles) and Jerome (2 miles).
Can I borrow a fishing rod near Springfield?
IL Dept. of Natural Resources, 3 miles away.
Do bass trails stop on lakes around Springfield?
8 events on organizer pages near here, each one already weighed in.
Which nearby water gave Springfield anglers a record?
Flathead Catfish, 81 lbs 6.4 oz, August 26, 2015 (hook and line), from Sangchris Lake.
Fish the reservoirs around Springfield this year
River guides carry launches plus USGS gauges.