Lake Springfield Fishing Spot

• Elevation: 581'
• Last Modified By: vinny60 on 09/10/09 04:42 PM
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City Water, Light & Power owns and manages Lake Springfield and its surrounding 57 miles of shoreline, which includes over 735 residential sites and eight public parks. The lake and lake-area parks are host to some 600,000 recreational visitors each year. The 4200-acre reservoir is the largest municipally owned lake in Illinois. Lake Springfield's primary purpose is to serve as the source of drinking water for the city of Springfield and several nearby communities. In addition, it is a major central Illinois recreation center, as well as the source of condenser cooling water for the utility's lakeshore power plant complex. Lake Springfield is a reservoir built by impounding water upstream of Spaulding Dam on Sugar Creek. From the beginning, Lake Springfield was intended to serve not only as the domestic water supply for Springfield's residents, but also as a recreation outlet for Central Illinois. A variety of water sports – boating, fishing and swimming – can be enjoyed here. About 15 sport fish species can be caught in Lake Springfield. Fishing is allowed either from boats on the water or from any public portion of the shoreline. For the convenience of fishermen, there are two posted public fishing areas: at the Dividing Dam and on East Lake Drive just past the zoo turnoff. In addition, there is an unposted fishing pier between East and West Tom Madonia Parks, which is also designed for persons with disabilities. Fishing from a boat in the immediate vicinity of Spaulding Dam is prohibited. The actual off-limits area is designated by a line of "no boat" buoys that extends eastward from the shoreline at Lakeside Power Plant to the opposite bank. Fishing from the shore or within 100 feet of the shore of leased properties is prohibited unless the fisherman has the consent of the lessee.In most cases, fish and other aquatic life may be caught using only a hook attached to a single line. The exception to this is that pitchforks, underwater spear guns, bows and arrows (or a bow and arrow device), spear or gig are also permitted for the capture of carp, buffalo, suckers, gar and bowfin. The use of trotlines is prohibited under any circumstances, as is the use of seines, dips, hooks, fykes, gills, pounds, basket nets or any similar type of device. Using artificial light to catch fish and other aquatic life is prohibited. Persons catching largemouth bass less than 15 inches in length; walleye and sauger less than 14 inches in length; or crappie less than 10 inches in length are required by state law to release these fish back into the lake. Persons catching female bass that are full of eggs are also encouraged to return these fish to the lake, regardless of their length. In addition, fishermen are allowed to keep only 6 largemouth bass, 6 walleye, or 10 crappies per day. Boats allowed on Lake Springfield include canoes, motorboats, pontoons, rowboats and sailboats. Boats and craft of any kind with mast heights of more than 35 feet may be used, kept or stored only on the central basin and central basin marginal land. There are five public boat launches located around Lake Springfield at: I-55, exit 88 (Lake Springfield Marina Boat Launch) Lindsay Bridge Marine Point (for small boats, wave runners, windsurfers and canoes) Center Park (north of the Beach House; particularly suited for sailboats) Spaulding Dam In addition to these launches, there are also public boat docking areas at six of the lake-area parks: East and West Tom Madonia Parks, Lake Park, Bridgeview Park, West Cottonhill Park, and the Wildlife Sanctuary (near the shelter). Public swimming is permitted at The Beach at Lake Springfield, which is owned and operated by City Water, Light and Power. Private swimming is possible, under certain conditions and with the lessee's consent, within 150 feet of the shoreline of marginal lands that have been leased by the city to lake-area residents and private organizations. Swimming is also available from boats, but only between sunrise and sunset and only in "no wake" zones adjacent to non-leased marginal lands. The beautiful and historic Lake Springfield Beach House has dressing rooms, showers and rest rooms that are cleaned and sanitized daily. Attended baskets are available to store your clothes and possessions. An open-air terrace overlooking the water is a perfect place to picnic or just spend some quiet time with friends. The Beach House, which is equipped to accommodate people with disabilities, is also available for rent to the public. Lake Springfield is host to nearly 40 species and several hybrid fish. Of these, approximately 15 are considered sport fish species: channel catfish, crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, flathead catfish, carp, striped bass, white bass, yellow bass, black bullhead.