Sangchris Lake

Boat Ramps: 3
Access Points: 3
Species: 2

Sangchris Lake is a 2,325-acre reservoir located approximately 20 miles southeast of Springfield, Illinois, off IL Route 104. Created in 1964 by damming Clear Creek, the lake features an impressive 100 miles of shoreline shaped in a unique three-armed configuration with east, middle, and west branches. Originally owned by Commonwealth Edison as a cooling lake for their coal-fired power plant, the lake's fish community has historically been influenced by the power plant's operations. With a maximum depth of approximately 38 feet and an average depth of 13 feet, Sangchris Lake was designated as a State Fish Preserve in 1972 and is known for its excellent fishing opportunities, particularly for largemouth bass, crappie, and trophy-sized catfish. The lake hosts around 70 fishing tournaments annually and attracts approximately 700,000 visitors each year to Sangchris Lake State Park.

Illinois licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

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

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Sangchris 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.

Know where you can legally fish on Sangchris 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 Sangchris 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 Sangchris Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Sangchris 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.