McHenry County · lake · 66 acres
Defiance Lake
Stocked 16× since 2021 · Illinois DNR
Defiance Lake is a lake in McHenry County, Illinois, stocked with Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike — most recently on Jan 1, 2025. FishableWaters aggregates every stocking record for this water from Illinois DNR; the latest schedule and today's bite windows are above.
Best days this week
Days near a new or full moon tend to fish best.
Today's bite windows
Conditions, next 3 days
Today
Overcast
83°
58°
8 mph
0%
Fri
Rain
80°
63°
10 mph
60%
Sat
Rain
71°
65°
19 mph
89%
→ pressure steadyStable weather — expect a normal bite.
Stocking ledger
| — 2025 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Largemouth Bass | 1,240 | 2" | |
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 378 | 5.5" | |
| — 2024 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 180 | 5.5" | |
| Jan 1 | Largemouth Bass | 1,044 | 5.5" | |
| Jan 1 | Largemouth Bass | 1,232 | 2" | |
| Jan 1 | Northern Pike | 200 | 9" | |
| — 2023 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Largemouth Bass | 1,238 | 2" | |
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 480 | 9" | |
| Jan 1 | Largemouth Bass | 333 | 5.5" | |
| Jan 1 | Northern Pike | 200 | 9" | |
| — 2022 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 380 | 5.5" | |
| Jan 1 | Largemouth Bass | 2,052 | 2" | |
| Jan 1 | Northern Pike | 202 | 9" | |
| Jan 1 | Largemouth Bass | 2,052 | 2" | |
| — 2021 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 398 | 9" | |
| Jan 1 | Largemouth Bass | 1,204 | 2" | |
When does Defiance Lake get stocked?
Going by 16 records since 2021, stocking here peaks in January.
Angler reports
What's biting
No reports yet — be the first
Best bite times
No reports yet
Field notes
No notes yet
All Illinois waters with channel catfish → · All Illinois waters with largemouth bass →
Nearby waters
- Tomahawk Lake0.7 mi
- Lily Lake1.3 mi
- Fox River Reservoir1.4 mi
- Griswold Lake2.1 mi
- Sullivan Lake2.5 mi
- Lac Louette3.1 mi
- Mutton Creek3.1 mi
- Cotton Creek3.5 mi
Seasons, limits, and rules are the state's call — check the official IL regulations and buy your license before you go. We link the source; we never restate the rules.
Defiance Lake fishing — FAQ
What fish are stocked in Defiance Lake?+
Defiance Lake is stocked with Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike in McHenry County, Illinois, most recently on Jan 1, 2025 by Illinois DNR. The full stocking ledger is on this page.
When does Defiance Lake get stocked?+
Going by 16 records since 2021, stocking at Defiance Lake peaks in January. Check this page for the season's scheduled and most recent stockings.
Do I need a license to fish Defiance Lake?+
Yes — Illinois requires a fishing license. Buy one from the state and check current seasons and limits before you go; both are linked on this page.
Where is Defiance Lake?+
Defiance Lake is a lake in McHenry County, Illinois. Driving directions and an interactive topo map are on this page.
Data: Illinois DNR · updated Jan 1, 2025 · checked daily · we publish what agencies publish, nothing else.