
SHARE THIS PAGE
Homer Lake is part of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD) and is located 2 miles Northwest of Homer and 15 miles Southeast of Champaign.
Homer Lake is 80.8 acres and was built in 1969. The lake has a maximum depth of 24 feet and an average depth of 8.4 feet. There are two boat ramps. More information about the Homer Lake Forest Preserve can be found at the CCFPD web page .
2 pole and line fishing only. Electric motor only.
81 acres
LAKE SIZE
24 feet
MAX DEPTH
8 feet
AVG DEPTH
650 feet
ELEVATION
BOATING RESTRICTIONS
Electric only
AMENITIES
Boat Landing
Camping
Swimming
Boat Rentals
Picnicking
Skiing
FISH TO CATCH
Black Crappie
Bluegill
Channel Catfish
Largemouth Bass
Muskie
Northern Pike
White Crappie
Yellow Bullhead
Carp
NOTE: This list may not be all inclusive of all speices present in Homer Lake.
TOPO MAP FOR MEMBERS
FISHING OUTLOOK
BLACK CRAPPIE

Black crappie numbers have increased the past few years and were collected at a rate of 30.7 per hour in 2019. The black crappie fishery is relatively young and none were over 10 inches.
BLUEGILL

Homer Lake has a large population of bluegill, but the average size is small. Anglers have a great opportunity to catch a bluegill, but may struggle to catch bluegill larger than 8 inches. Approximately 22% of the bluegill collected in the most recent fish survey were over 6 inches, but none were longer than 8 inches.
CHANNEL CATFISH

The State Hatchery System stocks 8-inch channel catfish into Homer Lake each year. This stocking program has produced an excellent catfish fishery. Catch rates of catfish fluctuate from survey to survey, but catch rates of anglers are consistently good. Based on data from fish surveys, the catfish are very plump. The catfish average in size from 11 inches to 24 inches.
LARGEMOUTH BASS

During the most recent fish survey, 133.3 bass per hour were collected using DC electrofishing. The average catch rate since 2011 is 125.3 bass per hour. The largest bass collected weighed 6.8 pounds. Based on bass collected that were larger than 8 inches, 70% were larger than 12 inches, and 36% were larger than 15 inches. Homer Lake has an excellent bass fishery.
SAUGEYE (Walleye/Sauger Hybrid)

Saugeye were first stocked into Homer Lake in 2016. In 2017, the catch rate for saugeye was 6.7 per hour and did not meet the management objective of 10 per hour. The statewide management objective for walleye/saugeye fisheries is 5 per hour. No saugeye were collected during the May 2019 survey. In the fall of 2019, a night survey was completed to collect saugeye and were collected at a rate of 14 per hour and ranged in length from 7 inches to 21.5 inches.
WHITE CRAPPIE

During the most recent fish survey, the catch rate of white crappie dropped to only 4 per hour. The management objective is 25 to 50 white crappie per hour. The average catch rate since 2011 is 61.7 white crappie per hour. There is no crappie regulation at Homer Lake.
PLACES TO STAY

HISTORY AND STATUS OF FISHERY
The IDNR Division of Fisheries has been active in the management of the fisheries in Homer Lake since the lake was constructed in 1969. The lake receives stockings of largemouth bass and channel catfish.
CONTACT / CONTROLLING AUTHORITY
Champaign County Forest Preserve
Homer Lake and general park information:
217-896-2733
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Mike Garthaus
217-784-4730
Homer Lake and general park information:
217-896-2733
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Mike Garthaus
217-784-4730
NOTICE: Lake-Link Inc assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions of the information for Homer Lake. Although we strive to provide the most accurate information as we can the information contained in this page is provided on an "as is" basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness.