Argyle Lake

Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 1
Species: 10

Nestled within the picturesque 1,740-acre Argyle Lake State Park in McDonough County, Illinois, Argyle Lake offers anglers an excellent fishing destination with diverse opportunities. This 93-acre body of water features a maximum depth of 34.6 feet, a shoreline length of 4.7 miles, and a centerline length of just over one mile. Originally constructed in 1949 with funding from licensed anglers of Illinois, Argyle Lake is characterized by steep-sided basin areas except in the upper two arms where sedimentation has created flat, shallow bottoms. The lake supports a variety of fish species and is regularly stocked by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, making it a prime location for both novice and experienced anglers.

Illinois licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Argyle Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

Sauger

Sander canadensis

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Walleye X Sauger (saugeye)11,914 fish · 2.0 in2026
Rainbow Trout4,005 fish · Adults2026
Muskellunge156 fish · Adults2026
Channel Catfish2,772 fish · 9.0 in2026
Walleye X Sauger (saugeye)18,100 fish · 2.0 in2025

Source

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Sizes are the length the agency reports. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

Open stocking page

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Argyle Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Argyle Lake Boat Ramp

Boat Ramp

Know where you can legally fish on Argyle Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Illinois licenses and regulations

Illinois Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Illinois Fishing License

All individuals who are 16 and over are required to have a fishing license. All youth who are below 16 may fish without a license.

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Illinois Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Illinois Steam Access Laws

If the waterway is navigable in fact and the streambed is publicly owned, it is most likely fully accessible. If the streambed is privately owned, it is only accessible for navigation, not for hunting, fishing or portage.

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Take Argyle Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Argyle Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Argyle Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.