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Lake Paradise is located approximately four miles south of Mattoon in Coles County.
The lake covers 176 surface acres with a maximum depth of 16 feet and average depth of 8.5 feet. Public boat launching facilities were recently rebuilt and are in excellent condition. The City of Mattoon (217/234-3611) collects a boating access fee which covers Lake Mattoon as well. Recreational opportunities include fishing and limited boating. There is a no-wake regulation in effect on the entire lake. All tournaments must be registered through ifishillinois.org.
2 pole and line fishing only with only two hooks or lures per pole.
The City of Mattoon (217/234-3611) collects a boating access fee which covers Lake Mattoon as well. Recreational opportunities include fishing and limited boating. There is a no-wake regulation in effect on the entire lake. All tournaments must be registered through ifishillinois.org.
The City of Mattoon (217/234-3611) collects a boating access fee which covers Lake Mattoon as well. Recreational opportunities include fishing and limited boating. There is a no-wake regulation in effect on the entire lake. All tournaments must be registered through ifishillinois.org.
138 acres
LAKE SIZE
16 feet
MAX DEPTH
9 feet
AVG DEPTH
686 feet
ELEVATION
BOATING RESTRICTIONS
No Motors
AMENITIES
Boat Landing
Camping
Swimming
Boat Rentals
Picnicking
Skiing
FISH TO CATCH
Bluegill
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Largemouth Bass
Redear Sunfish
White Crappie
Carp
Drum (Sheepshead)
Saugeye
NOTE: This list may not be all inclusive of all speices present in Lake Paradise.
FISHING OUTLOOK
BLUEGILL
FAIR
Bluegill fishing is poor-fair. They are abundant, but few fish exceed 7 inches.
CARP
EXCELLENT
Common carp are abundant with fish exceeding 8 lbs. Fishing prospects are rated as excellent for 2016.
CHANNEL CATFISH
VERY GOOD
Channel catfish are abundant in the lake. The average catch goes from 3/4 - 6 pounds, with the occasional fish over 10 pounds caught. Fishing prospects are rated as good-excellent for 2016. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit; no minimum length limit.
FLATHEAD CATFISH
POOR
Flathead catfish are low in abundance. Anglers catch flatheads infrequently. Catch-and-release is encouraged. Fishing prospects are rated as poor-fair for 2016.
FRESHWATER DRUM
GOOD
Freshwater Drum, commonly called drum “perch”, are moderately abundant with fish exceeding 3 lbs.
LARGEMOUTH BASS
FAIR
Largemouth bass are moderate in abundance due to a lack of aquatic vegetation for nursery habitat. Improved numbers of bass from ½-4 pounds are present with fish over 6 pounds caught on occasion. Fishing prospects are rated as fair-good for 2016. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit; 14" minimum length limit (large and smallmouth).
SAUGEYE (Walleye/Sauger Hybrid)
GOOD
Saugeye (sauger X walleye hybrids), stocked annually, are developing into a good fishery. Saugeye are abundant from 12 to 22 inches present. Fishing prospects are rated as good for 2016. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit; 14" minimum length limit (saugeye, walleye, sauger).
WHITE CRAPPIE
GOOD
White crappie are very abundant. Growth rates vary from slow to fast within this population. Anglers may catch crappie up to 12 inches and 0.75+ lbs., but there are a lot of small crappie. Black crappie are present, but relatively, rare. Fishing prospects are rated as fair-good for 2016.
PLACES TO STAY
HISTORY AND STATUS OF FISHERY
The fish population in Lake Paradise is surveyed intensively every two years. The fish are measured, weighed, and scales collected before releasing them alive. Annual evaluations of saugeye have been made. Saugeye and channel catfish have been maintained by annual stockings from IDNR hatcheries. Desirable species of aquatic vegetation have been introduced in an attempt to improve water quality, reduce shoreline erosion, and provide valuable and necessary fish habitat. Unfortunately, despite an extensive effort, success is limited.
Yellow bass, longear sunfish, green sunfish, black bullheads, and yellow bullheads are present, but are seldom harvested by anglers due to the small size attained by these species. Gizzard shad is the primary forage for sportfish.
Yellow bass, longear sunfish, green sunfish, black bullheads, and yellow bullheads are present, but are seldom harvested by anglers due to the small size attained by these species. Gizzard shad is the primary forage for sportfish.
CONTACT / CONTROLLING AUTHORITY
City of Mattoon
217-234-3611
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Jim Garavaglia
217-345-2420
217-234-3611
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Jim Garavaglia
217-345-2420
NOTICE: Lake-Link Inc assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions of the information for Lake Paradise. 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.
