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SANGCHRIS, LAKE


Lake Information

County: Christian

Acreage: 2321

Average Depth: 13.12 feet

Shoreline Length: 97.4 miles

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? Over 25hp idle only

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? No

Swimming? No

Picnicking? Yes

Camping? Yes



Ellis East Harbor Tovey West Hill Sangchris North East Arms


    Click on area names for a more detailed map.
    East Arms, East Harbor, Ellis, North, Tovey, West Hill

Click on map for expanded view

Maps are not intended for navigation.


There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Lake Status Summary  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

CHANNEL CATFISH

Very Good

The channel catfish population is doing well both in quantity and quality. Fish up to 8 pounds are surveyed most years. Channel catfish collected in 2022 measured from 11 – 21” and weighed up to 3.6 lbs. Anglers can catch channel catfish in the warmer months using bottom fishing techniques near deadfalls and woody debris with cut bait, shrimp, chicken livers or night crawlers. The largest channel catfish ever collected by electrofishing measured over 27” and weighed 9 lbs.

CRAPPIE

Good

Lake Sangchris contains both black and white crappie. The black crappie are a strain originally brought in from Arkansas in 1985 that have a ¼” wide black stripe running from just under the chin up over the nose to the dorsal fin. They are called black-nosed or black-striped crappie by anglers. The crappie population is still developing at Lake Sangchris. The 2022 fish population survey showed increases in both black and white crappie numbers, but lower catch rates of keepers. However, the general trend in crappie numbers over the last 10 years is positive. White crappie ranged from 6 – 13.5”, while black crappie ranged from just 2 inches up to 12”. The majority of the crappie collected in the 2022 fall survey measured under the 10” minimum length limit. The population structures are still not yet within management goals. Natural spawning may be limited due to sporadic water temperatures and heavy rains during the spawning season. This is especially true of the black crappie. There has been evidence of natural reproduction in the past, but it doesn’t seem to be consistent. White and black crappie have been raised in the Lake Sangchris rearing pond since the ponds' construction in 1992. The pond was out of service for 4 years due to a bad leak, but it has been rehabilitated and is currently back in use. Brood blacknose crappie are stocked into the rearing pond every other year. Hopefully we see those 9-9.5" fish push into the keeper size category soon. Anglers can catch crappie on submerged natural and artificial structure within the entire lake with spinners, jigs and minnows year round. A 17.5”, 3.7 pound white crappie was recently brought to the biologist for weighing and identifying. Site Regulation: 10" minimum length limit; 10 fish per day limit. '>Site Regulation: 10" minimum length limit; 10 fish per day limit.'>

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Very Good

Flathead catfish are difficult to survey, but evidence suggests angler catch rates remain high. Lake Sangchris is now almost 60 years old and is developing a reputation for producing flathead catfish weighing over 40 lbs. The largest flathead ever collected in a survey weighed 69 pounds and the largest caught by an angler weighed 81.45 pounds, which is the current state record. Flathead catfish exceeding 40 pounds are harvested every year. Only 1 flathead measuring 12” was collected during the 2022 survey, which at least shows that natural reproduction is still occurring. Anglers can catch flathead catfish using live bait such as minnows, green sunfish, shad, or crayfish around submerged logs and deadfalls in the warmer months and deep holes in the colder months.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Very Good

Lake Sangchris is known for its high density bass population with electrofishing surveys. We collected a total of 415 bass (104/hr) ranging from 4 – 21.5” and weighing up to 6.4 lbs. Body condition of largemouth bass seems to be more desirable than in the past, with an average relative weight of 99%, and a max of 147%! Hot water discharge into the lake has historically been thought to cause largemouth bass to burn more energy than they can consume during the hot summer months. Gizzard shad have exhibited erratic spawns in Lake Sangchris in the past and threadfin shad survival is dependent on power plant operation in the winter. Anglers can catch largemouth bass on points, deadfalls, and stickups within the entire lake year round with plastic worms, jigs, spinners, crank baits, minnows, crayfish and worms. The largest bass ever collected by electrofishing measured 22” long and weighed over 7.25 lbs! Site Regulation: 15" minimum length limit; 3 fish per day limit.

STRIPED BASS

Very Good

Pure striped bass are non-native and have been stocked into Lake Sangchris since 1983 when available. The striped bass stocking program has produced some great fishing opportunities. Past surveys have shown that the lake has not produced many fish over 20 pounds, but there is still a good density of striped bass up to 15 pounds, and recently several pushing 30 have been caught. Anglers can catch stripers near “striper point” located in the northern portion of the lake in the warmer months and in the hot water middle arm of the lake when water is being discharged in the winter. Anglers can catch stripers using large spinnerbaits, crankbaits, spoons, jigs, crayfish or large minnows. The current state record of 31 pounds 7 ounces was caught at Lake Sangchris! Site Regulation: No limit under 17; 3 fish a day over 17" limit.

Location: Sangchris Lake is located 20 miles southeast of Springfield off of IL Route 104, 7 miles north of Bulpitt.

Description: Sangchris Lake is 2325 acres. The lake was developed as a result of damming Clear Creek in 1964. The Division of Fisheries has been involved in the management of this lake from its beginning in 1965. It was owned by Commonwealth Edison and served as a cooling lake for their coal-fired power plant. The fish community is therefore highly dependent on power plant operation. Commonwealth Edison sold the plant to the current owner, Dominion Power, in the early 2000s. The maximum depth in the lake is approximately 38 feet with and average depth of approximately 13 feet. Sangchris Lake has three boat access points; one on each arm.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The lake boasts 100 miles of shoreline and is characterized by a west and middle arm cooling loop and an east ambient arm. The east arm receives much of the water within the watershed, and therefore suffers from siltation. Much of the shoreline and cove habitat was once composed of dense beds of water lily and submersed aquatic vegetation. Those communities have recently collapsed and no cause has been determined at this point. A total of 26 fish species have been collected in Sangchris Lake since 1982. While their numbers and potential for successful angling are low, anglers may catch bluegill, green sunfish, green sunfish x bluegill hybrid, freshwater drum, white bass, or yellow bass.

Additional Lake Information: Sangchris Lake has three boat access points; one on each arm. Rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and boats with motors 25 horsepower or less are welcome. A motor greater than 25 horsepower may be used, however it must only be run at idle speed. Motors of any size may be used to load or unload from the trailer. Sailboats are not permitted. The West Boat Ramp opened in the fall of 2014. Improvements include: a new boat ramp that extends further in the water for safer boat launching, larger parking lot, new access road, and handicap-accessible sidewalks and parking.

Two pole and line fishing only. No commercial devices, such as trot lines, jugs, or bank poles, are allowed. Archery fishing is allowed for rough fish, but not within 200 yards of a developed area, such as a campground.

In August 2017, fish habitat structures were deployed into Sangchris Lake. See the map here: Fish Structures Location Map.

Site Regulations:
Largemouth bass: 15" minimum length limit; 3 fish per day limit
Crappie: 10" minimum length limit; 10 fish per day limit
Striped bass: No limit under 17; 3 fish a day over 17" limit

Contact Information:
Site Staff
217-498-9208
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Tad Locher
217-720-0235

There were 43 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2020.

Species Total Fish Caught
Channel Catfish 58
Crappie 104
Flathead Catfish 8
Largemouth Bass 1900

Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2020 tournaments:

1     6.34 lbs
2     6.19 lbs
3     6.13 lbs
4     6.05 lbs
5     5.94 lbs

Top 5 Bag Weights of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2020 tournaments:

1 412.04 lbs
2 397.87 lbs
3 382.58 lbs
4 350.15 lbs
5 286.17 lbs


Multiple day tournaments are listed with *end date and

Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.

2020-2021 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date ID Approval Ramp Location Bank/Boat
Hook/Bow
Max Boats Species Youth? Open to Public?
March-3025635ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
15Crappie
Yes
March-3025753ApprovedWest Boat Ramp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
No
April-0625033ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
Yes
April-06
*April-07
25954ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
April-0725074ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
35Largemouth Bass
Yes
April-0726170ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
No
April-0926636ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
April-1325714ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
20Crappie
Yes
April-1325981ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
April-1425190ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
No
April-1425658ApprovedWest Boat Ramp boat
hook
17Largemouth Bass
No
April-1626637ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
April-1825844ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
24Largemouth Bass
No
April-2025618ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Yes
April-2025982ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
April-2125029ApprovedWest Boat Ramp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
No
April-2125552ApprovedStrawkus Boat Ramp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
No
April-2326638ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
April-2725983ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
April-2726902ApprovedWest Boat Ramp boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
Yes
April-2825102ApprovedStrawkus Boat Ramp boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
No
April-2825653ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
No
April-3026639ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
May-0226313ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
24Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass
Yes
May-04
*May-05
25955ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
May-0426007ApprovedWest Boat Ramp boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
No
May-0525099ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
35Largemouth Bass
Yes
May-0726640ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
May-1125015ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
No
May-1125019ApprovedWest Boat Ramp boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
No
May-1125985ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
May-1426641ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
May-1825094ApprovedWest Boat Ramp boat
hook
45Largemouth Bass
No
May-1825986ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
May-1925125ApprovedStrawkus Boat Ramp boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
No
May-2126642ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
May-2525987ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
May-2526364ApprovedWest Boat Ramp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
No
May-26
*May-27
25159ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
35Largemouth Bass
Yes
May-2626405ApprovedWest Boat Ramp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
No
May-2826643ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
June-0125191ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
No
June-01
*June-02
25956ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
June-0225035ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
No
June-0426644ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
June-0825284ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
No
June-0825989ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
June-0925031ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
35Largemouth Bass
Yes
June-1126645ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
June-1525990ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
June-1826646ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
June-2225526ApprovedWest Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
No
June-2225991ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
June-2226176ApprovedStrawkus Boat Ramp boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
No
June-2325016ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
35Largemouth Bass
Yes
June-2526647ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
June-2925992ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
June-3025146ApprovedStrawkus Boat Ramp boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
No
July-0226648ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
July-0625519ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
No
July-06
*July-07
25957ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
July-0926649ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
July-1425173ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
35Largemouth Bass
Yes
July-1626650ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
July-2025537ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
No
July-2326651ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
July-2825194ApprovedStrawkus Boat Ramp boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
No
July-3026652ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
August-03
*August-04
25958ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
August-0626653ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
August-1125188ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
35Largemouth Bass
Yes
August-1326654ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
August-1725067ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
No
August-1725109ApprovedWest Boat Ramp boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
Yes
August-1825073ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
No
August-2026655ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
August-2525662ApprovedWest Boat Ramp boat
hook
17Largemouth Bass
No
August-2726656ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
September-0326657ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
September-07
*September-08
25959ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes
September-0825115ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
35Largemouth Bass
Yes
September-1026658ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
September-14
*September-15
25920ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
No
September-1726659ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
September-2126660ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
Yes
September-2225197ApprovedWest Boat Ramp boat
hook
11Largemouth Bass
No
September-28
*September-29
25053ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
35Largemouth Bass
Yes
October-05
*October-06
25960ApprovedEast Boat Ramp boat
hook
30Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Yes