Choose another lake

VICTORIA, LAKE (Knox)


Lake Information

County: Knox

Acreage: 26

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? yes, portable only.

Boat Ramps? No

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? No

Swimming? No

Picnicking? No

Camping? No




There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLACK CRAPPIE

Good

In 2020, the black crappie population was sampled by 1 fish at from 7 to 12 inches in length. The body condition was very good at an average Wr of 102. In 2017, the crappie regulation was changed from a 5 fish daily harvest limit, to a 25 fish daily harvest limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches. The goal of the new regulation is to allow the harvest of more of the slower growing black crappie, while maintaining and promoting the population structure of crappie over 10 inches in length.

BLUEGILL

Very Good

The bluegill population was sampled by 23 fish in the electrofishing survey. The current bluegill population is rated as very good with the larger fish up to 9.0 inches in length. This population is of high density and in good body condition with the Relative weight average at 95.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

In 2020, a late summer D.C. electrofishing survey was used to evaluate the fish population. The largemouth bass population was evaluated by 80 bass from electrofishing. The largemouth bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 3 to 16 inches in length with an average Relative weight average of 88. In 2017, the bass regulation for Snakeden Hollow SFWA waters were changed from a 3 fish daily harvest limit with only 1 fish greater than or equal to 15 inches, to a protected slot length limit from 14 to 18 inches with 3 fish daily harvest limit. The goal of the new bass regulation is to increase the density of the bass population from 14 to 18 inches. This increased bass density should help create a population that is composed of fish large enough to be efficient predators upon the panfish population. The benefit to bass anglers will be more fish surviving past 15 inches to catch, and for the anglers wanting to harvest bass will be the opportunity to still harvest fish under 14 inches.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Very Good

The redear sunfish population was sampled by 34 fish in the electrofishing survey. The current redear population is rated as very good with the larger fish over 11 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition with the Relative weight average at 102.

Location: Lake Victoria is part of the 2,500 acre Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area near Victoria, Illinois.
It can be reached from Parking Area (A) which is located 1 mile south of Victoria on County Road 15.

Description: Lake Victoria is a long, narrow strip-mine lake with a maximum depth of 26 feet and an average depth of 13 feet.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: In 2020, a late summer D.C. electrofishing survey was used to evaluate the fish population.

The largemouth bass population was evaluated by 80 bass from electrofishing. The largemouth bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 3 to 16 inches in length with an average Relative weight average of 88. In 2017, the bass regulation for Snakeden Hollow SFWA waters were changed from a 3 fish daily harvest limit with only 1 fish greater than or equal to 15 inches, to a protected slot length limit from 14 to 18 inches with 3 fish daily harvest limit. The goal of the new bass regulation is to increase the density of the bass population from 14 to 18 inches.

This increased bass density should help create a population that is composed of fish large enough to be efficient predators upon the panfish population. The benefit to bass anglers will be more fish surviving past 15 inches to catch, and for the anglers wanting to harvest bass will be the opportunity to still harvest fish under 14 inches.

The bluegill population was sampled by 23 fish in the electrofishing survey. The current bluegill population is rated as very good with the larger fish up to 9.0 inches in length. This population is of high density and in good body condition with the Relative weight average at 95.

The redear sunfish population was sampled by 34 fish in the electrofishing survey. The current redear population is rated as very good with the larger fish over 11 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition with the Relative weight average at 102.

In 2017, the bluegill and redear sunfish regulation was changed from a 10 fish daily harvest limit to a 25 fish daily harvest limit. This change will allow anglers the ability to harvest more bluegill and redear sunfish per daily visit to Snakeden Hollow SFWA waters.

In 2020, the black crappie population was sampled by 1 fish at from 7 to 12 inches in length. The body condition was very good at an average Wr of 102.

In 2017, the crappie regulation was changed from a 5 fish daily harvest limit, to a 25 fish daily harvest limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches. The goal of the new regulation is to allow the harvest of more of the slower growing black crappie, while maintaining and promoting the population structure of crappie over 10 inches in length.

In 2020, the channel catfish population was sampled by 1 fish at 19.5 inches in length in the electrofishing survey. This population is believed to be of low density and in good body condition. The last stocking of channel catfish was in 2008. None are scheduled for the future.

Additional Lake Information: The fishing regulations are identical to the rest of the Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area site:
All Fish - 2 pole and line fishing only.

Large or Smallmouth Bass: Protected Slot Length Limit from 14 to 18 inches with 3 fish daily harvest limit.

Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 25 fish Daily Harvest Limit.

White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches.

Pure Muskellunge: Harvestable slot from 36 to 42 inches, and 48 inch minimum length limit with 1 fish daily harvest limit.

Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily harvest limit.

Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye: 3 fish daily harvest limit.

Contact Information:
Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area
(309) 879-2607
Rob Hilsabeck, IDNR Fisheries
(309) 446-9143