Spoon Lake

Boat Ramps: 2
Access Points: 2
Species: 10

Spoon Lake is a freshwater lake located in Knox County, Illinois. The lake serves as a recreational fishing destination for local anglers, offering a variety of fish species in a scenic Midwestern setting. While smaller than some of the more prominent fishing destinations in Illinois, Spoon Lake provides ample opportunities for both casual and dedicated anglers. The lake is characterized by its typical Midwestern geography, with prairie surroundings and some shoreline development. Water clarity can vary throughout the seasons, influenced by weather patterns and lake turnover.

Illinois licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

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

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Black Bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Brown Bullhead

Ameiurus nebulosus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Yellow Bullhead

Ameiurus natalis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Spoon 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.

Hillcrest Road Boat Ramp

Boat Ramp

Birchwood Court Boat Ramp

Boat Ramp

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