Sangchris Lake

Sangchris Lake

Size
2,274ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
No
Species in Sangchris Lake
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Bluegill
Bluegill
Striped Bass
Striped Bass
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish
Blue catfish
Blue catfish
White bass
White bass

Overview

Considered the best bass water in the state. This cooling reservoir also boasts excellent striper fishing. 2,165 acres

Sangchris Lake Map

Features

An impoundment of Clear Creek, Sangchris Lake has a large power generating station at the south end of the lake. The warm-water discharge from this facility effects the ecology of the entire impoundment. Special fishing restrictions have been placed on the harvest of largemouth bass, striped bass and crappie. Regulations are posted at boat landings. Boat motors over 25 horsepower are not allowed. No-wake buoys are placed near accesses and a barrier boom is located in the hotwater canal near the power plant. Sailboats are not allowed on the lake. All fishing tournaments must be scheduled through the park office. During spring, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources operates a spawn stripping station near the warm-water discharge for striped bass. As a side note, the surrounding area is locally famous for a small population of white or nearly white deer living around the lake. They are not albino, but a genetic variation of white-tail deer and appear to be unique to this area. Recently, two ospreys have established nest sites on the lake. Bald eagles have also become a more common site, adding to the beauty of the lake.

Forage

Gizzard shad is the most abundant forage species. By the end of their first year, however, gizzard shad are too large to be utilized as food by most fish. Threadfin shad are stocked because they only grow to about 4 inches and can reproduce 2 or 3 times a year. They are very vulnerable to low water temperatures and periodic die-offs occur. Other species include red shiner and brook silverside. Insects and crayfish are present in limited numbers.

Seasonal Movements

Neither upstream nor downstream migrations have been observed. Instead, most species move throughout the impoundment in response to water temperature changes.
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Fish Species

Blue catfish
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Bluegill
fish
5-15 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202110
Channel catfish
fish
5-15 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Crappie
fish
5-15 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202414
202014
201815
201715
Flathead catfish
fish
14-15 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2020
Sep
2021
Sep
Largemouth bass
fish
5-15 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Sep
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized largemouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202421
202321
202221
202020
201822
Striped Bass
fish
20-35 in
Length Range
31 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2017
Sep
2018
Sep
White bass
fish
20-35 in
Length Range
31 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2018
Sep