Sangchris Lake

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.

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.

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