Lake of the Woods

Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 1
Species: 11

Lake of the Woods is a 25.5-acre impoundment operated by the Champaign County Forest Preserve District, located approximately one mile northeast of Mahomet, Illinois. Constructed in 1945, this scenic lake features a maximum depth of 28 feet and an average depth of 11.2 feet, with 1.8 miles of accessible shoreline. The preserve encompasses nearly 900 acres along the Sangamon River corridor, offering anglers a convenient fishing destination just 10 miles west of Champaign-Urbana with easy access from Interstate 74. The lake's varied depths and structure provide quality habitat for multiple species, while its location within a rolling wooded area creates an attractive setting for bank and boat fishing alike.

Illinois licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Lake of the Woods 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

Black Bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

Sauger

Sander canadensis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Lake of the Woods. 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.

Lake of The Woods Boat Ramp

Boat Ramp

Know where you can legally fish on Lake of the Woods

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 Lake of the Woods 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 Lake of the Woods to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Lake of the Woods 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.