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

Description: Northwest Lake is a 7 acre strip-mine lake with a maximum depth of 29 feet and an average depth of 12 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 59 bass from electrofishing.

The largemouth bass population appears to be defined by a high percentage of fish from 2 to 17 inches in length with average average Relative weights. 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. And in 2020, the bass percentage had increased to 23% over 14 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 116 fish in the electrofishing survey. The current bluegill population is rated as very good with the larger fish over 8.0 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in good body condition with a Wr average of 91.

The redear sunfish population was sampled by 4 fish in the electrofishing survey. The current redear population is rated as good with the larger fish up to 11 inches in length. This population is of moderate density and in very good body condition with a Wr average of 126.

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 24 fish from 2 to 11 inches in the electrofishing survey. The body condition was good at an average Wr of 94.

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.

The channel catfish population was not sampled in the electrofishing survey. This population is of low density. The last stocking of non-vulnerable 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 Biologist
(309) 446-9143