Lake Springfield

Sangamon County, Illinois

Lake Springfield is a City Water, Light and Power impoundment on Lick and Sugar creeks, built in 1931 and managed cooperatively with IDNR. It is open to motorboats, sailboats and personal watercraft, and the lower end stays open in winter because of a power plant.

Air temp in Chatham, IL Not available right now.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Lake Springfield (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area4,234 acres

Max depth30 ft

Shoreline—

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Largemouth Bass●●●●○

Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.

Crappie●●●●○

Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.

White Bass●●●○○

Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.

Bluegill●●●○○

Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.

Channel Catfish●●●○○

Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.

Walleye●●●○○

Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.

Blue Catfish●●○○○

Deep channel edges. Fresh cut shad. Big fish in winter.

Boat launches

5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

Center Park HarborPublic
CWLP public launch, wheelchair accessibleDirections ↗
Lindsay BridgePublic
CWLP public launch and boat licensing station (Saturdays); 217-786-4075Directions ↗
Spaulding DamPublic
CWLP public launch, wheelchair accessibleDirections ↗
Lake Springfield MarinaMarina
Boat licensing; 217-483-3625Directions ↗
More public accessPublic
See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Springfield are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Illinois Department of Natural Resources ↗

Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Big Red's Bait & TackleNearby
2193 Stevenson Dr, SpringfieldDirections ↗

Search more bait shops near Lake Springfield ↗

Local tips

All boats need both City of Springfield and Illinois registration (April 1 to March 31).
Stay at least 35 feet from leased residential property; fishing at Lincoln Memorial Garden shoreline is prohibited.
Designated fishing areas include Dividing Dam, Sunset View Fishing Area and the pier between the Tom Madonia Parks.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.

More Illinois lakes

Lake Shelbyville Fox Chain O'Lakes Crab Orchard Lake Clinton Lake Lake Decatur Kinkaid Lake Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) Horseshoe Lake (Alexander County) All Illinois lakes →

Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.