Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
Lake and Pond Fishing
The size of the lakes and ponds varies greatly within the Shawnee National Forest. All are open year-round for fishing and other water-based activities. Fish stocking is done on a rotational basis in 11 lakes and about 12 of the ponds. The Forest Service has also improved fish habitats with the use of submersible fish attractor structures. Most of the ponds were originally stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish. Since bass and bluegill can typically self-sustain their populations, channel catfish are preferred for supplemental stocking.
Access: Larger lakes such as Cedar Lake, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Glendale and One Horse Gap Lake all accommodate truck and trailers. Many of the remaining lakes and even some ponds have small gravel parking lots with access by gravel roads. Most of the small ponds have walk-in access only.
Follow the links below for detailed information on each lake or pond.
Fishing Regulations
While fishing in the Shawnee National Forest all anglers are required to follow State Fishing Guidelines set by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and to obtain a state fishing license if applicable.
Lake and Pond Fishing Areas
- Hidden Springs Ranger District
- Bay Creek Lake
- Dutchman Lake
- Lake Glendale Recreation Area
- Lake Tecumseh
- Lake of Egypt
- Little Cache Lake #1 (Bowman Lake)
- One Horse Gap Lake
- Pennant Bar Openlands
- Pounds Hollow Recreation Area
- Tower Rock Campground
- Whoopie Cat Lake
- Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District
- Cedar Lake
- Johnson Creek Recreation Area
- Kinkaid Lake & Trail System
- Lincoln Memorial
- Oakwood Bottoms & Turkey Bayou Campground
- Pine Hills Campground