Illinois
Channel Catfish in Illinois
Channel Catfish are on record in 98 Illinois waters, with 437 stockings in the books. Stocking peaks in January.
When does Illinois stock channel catfish?
Waters holding channel catfish
- Mermet Lake9×
- Lake Sara8×
- Ferne Clyffe Lake7×
- Grand Marais Lake7×
- Lake Carlinville7×
- Lake Centralia7×
- Miller Park Lake7×
- Sam Parr Lake7×
- Centennial Lake6×
- Charley Brown Park Lake6×
- Eagle Lake6×
- Glen Jones Lake6×
- Lake Glendale6×
- Lake McLeansboro6×
- Lake Tecumseh6×
- L P Dolan Lake6×
- Nashville City Reservoir6×
- Omaha City Reservoir6×
- One Horse Gap Lake6×
- Pounds Hollow Lake6×
- Randolph County Lake6×
- Sam Dale Lake6×
- Whispering Willow Lake6×
- Busse Lake6×
- Emerald Pond6×
- Inland Sea6×
- Lake Mingo6×
- Paradise Lake6×
- Shabbona Lake6×
- M D Borah Lake5×
- Red Hills Lake5×
- Vernor Lake5×
- Beaver Dam Lake5×
- Defiance Lake5×
- Eureka Lake5×
- Herrick Lake5×
- Horton Lake5×
- Lake Carlton5×
- Lake Le-Aqua-Na5×
- Lake Mendota5×
58 more on the Illinois map.
Freshest channel catfish stockings
- L P Dolan LakeJan 1, 2026
- M D Borah LakeJan 1, 2026
- Lake CarlinvilleJan 1, 2026
- Eagle LakeJan 1, 2026
- Ferne Clyffe LakeJan 1, 2026
- Grand Marais LakeJan 1, 2026
- Whispering Willow LakeJan 1, 2026
- Glen Jones LakeJan 1, 2026
- Lake GlendaleJan 1, 2026
- Centennial LakeJan 1, 2026
- Lake LoamiJan 1, 2026
- Lake McLeansboroJan 1, 2026
- Mermet LakeJan 1, 2026
- Mermet LakeJan 1, 2026
- Mermet LakeJan 1, 2026
- Miller Park LakeJan 1, 2026
- Old City LakeJan 1, 2026
- Omaha City ReservoirJan 1, 2026
- One Horse Gap LakeJan 1, 2026
- Pounds Hollow LakeJan 1, 2026
Channel Catfish nationwide → · Fishing in Illinois → · Illinois stocking report →
Channel Catfish in Illinois — FAQ
Where can I catch channel catfish in Illinois?+
Channel Catfish are on record in 98 Illinois waters, including Mermet Lake, Lake Sara, Ferne Clyffe Lake. The full list is on this page.
When does Illinois stock channel catfish?+
Illinois stocks channel catfish most heavily in January, going by 437 records. See the freshest stockings on this page for the current season.
Do I need a license to fish for channel catfish in Illinois?+
Yes — Illinois requires a fishing license. Buy one from the state and check seasons and limits before you go.