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COFFEEN LAKE
Lake Information
County: Montgomery
Acreage: 1102
Average Depth: 18.7 feet
Shoreline Length: 47.9 miles
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? 25hp
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
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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 |
Developing | Blue catfish are now being stocked to create a new trophy catfish fishery. | |
Good | During our fall 2015 sample, we collected channel catfish ranging from 8” to 15.5” and weighing up to 1.1 lbs. For some odd reason we did not see this species much during this sample. Site regulation: All jugs must be attended at all times while fishing. | |
Excellent | Crappie are a popular sport fishery at this lake. The crappie numbers appear low but size and growth appear excellent with many exceeding 10 inches. It appears natural reproduction of crappie is limited. Black crappie will continue to be stocked if available to maintain this fishery. | |
Excellent | Though numbers are uncertain, we capture several 20 to 50 pound individuals each year. From talking to anglers and reading articles, good numbers of this species are caught, with some much larger than 50 pounds. | |
Excellent | Coffeen Lake has a solid largemouth bass fishery in place. Reproduction has improved, and fish appear to be recruiting well into larger sizes. The numbers were very good in this survey and have been very consistent in recent years. The size structure of the bass continues to improve with a high percentage of fish reaching 15 inches and many reaching 18 inches. Site regulation:15" minimum length limit; 3 fish daily limit. | |
Fair | The redear sunfish numbers and size quality were not as good in this year’s survey but this species may provide a quality panfish opportunity in a lake with a very poor bluegill population. | |
Location: Coffeen Lake is located in southeast Montgomery County, seven miles southeast of Hillsboro, IL.
Description: Coffeen Lake is 1,102 acres with a shoreline length of 47.9 miles, a watershed of 11,001 acres, a maximum depth of 58 feet, and an average depth 18.7 feet. The lake is under a management agreement between The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Illinois Power Generating Company for outdoor recreation and conservation purposes. The lake is a cooling facility for Illinois Power Generating Company's coal-fired power station.
Motors of 25 horsepower or less are allowed to operate on the Coffeen Lake. (Boats with larger motors are allowed, but are restricted to trolling motor operation only.) Motors larger than 25 horsepower can be used for loading and unloading a trailered watercraft, provided the watercraft is operated at a no-wake speed within 150 feet of the loading ramp.
There are two concrete boat ramps, with one at the far north end of the lake, and the main ramp near the site office. There is no concession stand on the site, but gear can be acquired at a private business just west of the site office.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Approximately 20 species have been collected on this water body. Coffeen Lake now receives periodic stockings of black crappie; the pure striped bass stockings have been discontinued due to an increase in water temperatures.
Additional Lake Information: Coffeen Lake has a 25 hp out-board motor limit. There are two concrete boat ramps, with one at the far north end of the lake, and the main ramp near the site office. There is no concession stand on the site, but gear can be acquired at a private business just west of the site office.
Site Regulations
Largemouth or Smallmouth Bass: 15" minimum length limit; 3 fish daily limit
Crappie — black, white, or hybrid: 10” minimum length limit; 10 fish daily limit
Angler must be in attendance when jug fishing.
Contact Information: Coffeen Lake 217-537-3351IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Tad Locher217-720-0235
There were 26 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2020.
| Species | Total Fish Caught |
| Largemouth Bass | 838 |
Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2020 tournaments:
| 1 5.38 lbs | 2 5.35 lbs | 3 5.25 lbs | 4 4.88 lbs | 5 4.57 lbs |
Top 5 Bag Weights of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2020 tournaments:
| 1 | 446.00 lbs |
| 2 | 160.62 lbs |
| 3 | 133.40 lbs |
| 4 | 125.16 lbs |
| 5 | 107.32 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? |
| April-24 | 25814 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | No | |
| April-27 | 26142 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | |
| May-02 | 26302 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 24 | Hybrid Striped Bass Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass | Yes | |
| May-11 | 25319 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass | No | |
| May-11 | 26143 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | |
| May-18 | 25921 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass | No | |
| May-19 | 25539 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 50 | Largemouth Bass | No | |
| June-02 | 25359 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | |
| June-08*June-09 | 25490 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass | No | |
| June-22 | 26144 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | |
| June-23 | 25252 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | |
| June-30 | 25251 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | |
| July-20 | 26145 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | |
| July-28 | 25365 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | |
| August-17 | 26366 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | |
| August-18 | 25554 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | |
| August-24*August-25 | 26836 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 12 | Largemouth Bass | No | |
| September-08 | 25266 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | |
| September-14 | 25047 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 40 | Largemouth Bass | No | |
| September-15 | 25163 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | |
| September-21 | 26147 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | |
| September-28 | 25718 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 60 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | |
| October-19 | 25272 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | |
| October-20 | 25451 | Approved | south ramp 4th Ave. | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | |