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Lake Clinton

Lake Clinton is a reservoir in Illinois, near De Witt County.

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Lake Clinton Fishing Weather

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Fish species in Lake Clinton

Official stocking history

Stocking records show that the following fish or strains were stocked here. A historical stocking does not by itself prove that a self-sustaining population remains today.

Lake Clinton is the DeWitt County cooling reservoir, better known locally as Clinton Lake. Its two long arms and changing water temperatures give you plenty to work through. Bass, crappie and walleye are established targets, with white bass and hybrids adding open-water fishing. Start with the arm and season you're fishing, rather than assuming the whole lake behaves alike.

Lake facts

  • Lake size: About 4,895 acres
  • Fish to target: Largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, white bass and hybrids
  • Depth: Maximum about 60 feet; average about 15 feet

Where to fish

Work crappie cover with jigs or minnows and try nearby depth changes for walleye. Bass anglers can fish shoreline structure with plastics or crankbaits, while schooling baitfish are worth attention for white bass and hybrids. The lake's average depth is about 15 feet, even though some water reaches around 60 feet.

Getting on the water

State recreation access includes ramps with accessible docks, camping and designated shoreline areas. Parts of the lake are no-wake, electric-only or closed to boats. Check the current access map before choosing a route, particularly around the power-station areas.

A few things to know

The section between the DeWitt and Route 48 bridges is closed to fishing from October 10 through March 31. The lake also has a nighttime no-wake rule. Those details can change an autumn plan considerably, so make sure the arm you intend to fish is open before launching. Use the developed recreation areas for camping and a break from the boat.

Check the evidence

Sources and what they establish

Source dates describe the evidence, not a live catch forecast. Check the managing authority before planning access or keeping fish.

  • Black Crappie — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Blue Catfish — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Wiper — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Largemouth Bass — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Walleye — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • White Bass — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • White Crappie — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

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