Evergreen Lake offers a wide array of fishing challenges including Large and Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Hybrid Walleye, and Musky.

Evergreen Lake Fishing Report

Evergreen Lake Fishing Survey

About Evergreen Lake

• Surface Acres: 900 acres
• Maximum Depth: 55 feet
  
• Average Depth: 19 feet
  
• Shoreline Miles: 22.5 miles

In cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the McLean County Parks and Recreation Department has implemented an ongoing, long term fishery management plan for Evergreen Lake. Since 1990, nearly 60,000 4" - 8" Largemouth Bass, 7500 8" - 11" pure Musky, and 250,000 1" - 2" Hybrid Walleye (Saugeye) have been stocked into the lake with very good success.

Rules/Regulations

Anglers must possess a valid Illinois fishing license as required by law.
Anglers using boats are limited to using a 10 horsepower (or less) engine. NO MOTORS ARE ALLOWED ON SOUTHERN SECTIONS OF THE LAKE FROM OCT. 15 - JAN. 1 TO ALLOW FOR MIGRATORY WATERFOWL.
The minimum size and creel limits, in addition to those already stated by the Illinois statewide fishing regulations are:

1. 14-inch size limit for Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye (Saugeye).
   
2. 15-inch size limit for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
   
3. 48-inch size limit for Musky.
   
4. 9-inch minimum length limit and 15-fish daily creel limit on black and white crappie.

Fish caught UNDER the size limits MUST be returned to the lake unharmed.
No person shall take, catch, or attempt to take or catch any fish or other aquatic life from Evergreen Lake, Jone's Pond, or their tributaries, including below the spillway to the Mackinaw River, by any other method other than those state below:

1. By means of not more than two poles and lines with no more than
   two hooks or lures attached to each. (Bank poles, trot lines, bush
   lines, seining, or jug fishing ARE PROHIBITED.)
   
2. By means of bow and arrow for the taking of Carp, Buffalo,
   Suckers, Gar, and Bowfish only. (During archery deer
   season, however, ALL bow and arrow fishing is PROHIBITED).
   
3. By means of a gig for the taking of Carp, Buffalo, suckers,
   Gar, Bowfish, and Frogs. (Frogs may be taken in OPEN
   SEASON ONLY.)

UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED HERE, ALL STATE OF ILLINOIS (IDNR) FISHING REGULATIONS WILL BE ENFORCED.

Watercraft Registration

An Evergreen Lake Watercraft Registration is required on ALL watercraft, including sailboards. Registrations can be done at the Comlara Park Visitor's Center or at self-registration dropboxes located at boat launch facilities.

Evergreen Lake Watercraft Registration:

• Annual fee $45.00 (McLean County Residents receive $10 Discount)
  
• Daily Fee $16.00 (McLean County residents receive $ 4 Discount)
  

Special Fishing Activities

ANNUAL FISHING CONTEST

Comlara Park/Evergreen Lake holds an annual fishing contest from April 1 through November 30. Categories include Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and Saugeye (Walleye Hybrid).

Rules are as follows: 1.) All fish must be caught in Evergreen Lake or their tributaries within park boundaries. 2.) Fish must be weighed in at the Comlara Park Visitor's Center during office hours. 3.) Fish are weighed by park scales, and the heaviest fish at the end of the contest wins. In case of a tie, the longest fish will win. If there is still a tie after that, a coin flip will determine the winner. 4.) Largemouth Bass and Saugeye have minimum length limits set forth by the IDNR, and therefore must be at least the minimum length to enter in the contest. 5.) Winners will receive a $25.00 gift certificate good towards any recreational activity at Comlara Park/Evergreen Lake.

TAKE A KID FISHING TOURNAMENT

The Eighth Annual Parent/Kid Fishing Tournament will take place on Saturday, August 2nd, 2008
at Evergreen Lake. Cost is $10 per parent/kid team. Additional kids are $5. Kids must be 12 years of age or younger. Bait is provided. Tackle is available or you can bring your own. Prizes are awarded for first through fifth place, and there are grab bags for all the kids! F.M.I. call (309) 726-2022.

Lake Map(PDF file)

For more information contact:
McLean County Department of Parks and Recreation
13001 Recreation Area Drive
Hudson, Illinois 61748
(309) 726-2022
E-mail parks@mcleancountyil.gov