Taylorville Lake

Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 1
Species: 11

Located in Christian County, Illinois, Taylorville Lake is a 1,286-acre reservoir with an average depth of 7 feet. Created in 1962 by damming the South Fork of the Sangamon River, this lake features more than 25 miles of shoreline and serves as both a water supply and recreation destination. The lake is situated at the southeast edge of Taylorville, approximately 30 miles southeast of Springfield. With its shallow waters and abundant structure, Taylorville Lake has developed into a popular fishing destination in central Illinois, particularly known for its crappie, largemouth bass, and catfish populations.

Illinois licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

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

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Black Bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Sauger

Sander canadensis

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Yellow Bullhead

Ameiurus natalis

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Largemouth Bass12,045 fish · 2.0 in2026
Blue Catfish13,000 fish · 5.5 in2026
Largemouth Bass12,100 fish · 2.0 in2025
Blue Catfish13,000 fish · 2.0 in2025
Largemouth Bass12,025 fish · 2.0 in2024

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.

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Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Taylorville 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.

Lake Taylorville Marina

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