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Anderson Lake is located 12.5 road miles southwest of Havana in west-central Illinois.
Sport fishing seasons and limits are uniform with statewide rules. However, during the waterfowl hunting season, boat fishing (electric motors only) is only allowed in a designated area near the boat ramp and fish attractors. Largemouth and smallmouth bass have a 12-inch minimum size limit on the Illinois river and all backwaters.
Sport fishing seasons and limits are uniform with statewide rules. However, during the waterfowl hunting season, boat fishing (electric motors only) is only allowed in a designated area near the boat ramp and fish attractors. Largemouth and smallmouth bass have a 12-inch minimum size limit on the Illinois river and all backwaters.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Anderson Lake, IL
- How big is Anderson Lake?
- How deep is Anderson Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Anderson Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Anderson Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Anderson Lake area?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Anderson Lake?
- What is the fishing outlook for Anderson Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Anderson Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Anderson Lake?
How big is Anderson Lake?
Anderson Lake is approximately 1,364 sq acres (5.5 sq km) in size.
How deep is Anderson Lake?
Anderson Lake is approximately 5 feet (1.5 m) at its deepest point.
What kind of fish can you catch in Anderson Lake?
Although thery may be others but anglers can expect to find a variety of fish including Bluegill, Carp, Channel Catfish, Drum (Sheepshead), Largemouth Bass, White Bass, White Crappie and Yellow Bullhead in Anderson Lake.
What are the closest cities to Anderson Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Anderson Lake area?
Are you craving a weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of city life? Or maybe you're an avid angler in search of the perfect fishing spot? Look no further! Anderson Lake and its surrounding area offer an abundance of options to suit your needs. If you're in need of accommodation, check out our area map which highlights some of the best places to stay. And if you're looking for even more options, head on over to our Travel section. But why settle for a traditional hotel or resort when you can take your adventure to the next level by renting a RV? The open road awaits you!
More Lodging Options
More Lodging Options
Are there places to eat and drink near Anderson Lake?
Yes, you can find numerous options in the area. Click the button below to see what's nearby.
What is the fishing outlook for Anderson Lake?
What does the future look like for Anderson Lake? We have some insignt on what to expect for a number of fish species in Anderson Lake.
Explore the Anderson Lake area in a RV
Are you looking for an adventurous vacation option that won't break the bank? Look no further than renting an RV! Contrary to popular belief, the process is much simpler than you might imagine. With just a few easy steps, you'll soon be experiencing the ultimate freedom and convenience of exploring the open road in your very own recreational vehicle. And the best part? RV travel can save you up to 60% compared to other types of vacations! With the money you'll save, you'll be able to travel even more and create unforgettable memories along the way. So why wait? Start planning your next adventure today with an RV rental. Learn more about renting a RV.
2020 Forest River Sunseeker 3050S 30 amp power 3 weeks max rentals
31 ftSleeps 5
SPRINGFIELD, IL
SPRINGFIELD, IL
$180/nightMORE
History & Status of the Fishery
Due to the annual inundation of Anderson Lake by the Illinois River, fish species management on this small scale is a difficult objective. The associated sedimentation, loss of lake water volume and loss of aquatic plants have all negatively impacted the sport fish habitat present in Anderson Lake. However, annual documentation of the sport fish populations are very important in our understanding of how these backwater lakes function with the Illinois river. Anderson Lake is annually sampled in the fall utilizing D.C. boat electrofishing.
The current fishery was maintaining a cyclic pulse of sport fish with positive impacts from the flood years of 1993-95 and then high water in 1998 and 1999 and then high spring through summer levels in 2008-2011. In 2012, the very low water levels with the drought had negative impacts on the fishery in Anderson Lake. Multiple low oxygen fish kills occurred in late August through September. The majority of the biomass of fish killed were the Asian carp species. The recent improved sportfishery of the Illinois river is due to water quality improvements, and now habitat improvements in the backwater lakes could assist the aquatic life. However, the very recent introductions of the silver and bighead carp have added more negative nonnative species to the river ecosystem. These new nonnatives will need to be monitored for their impact on the fish community of the backwater lakes.
In 2019, the largemouth bass, bluegill and white crappie populations showed a substantial increase in their population densities. This appears to again be related to the high water levels and recruitment from 2018. And the fish species diversity was also very high at 32.
The timing and duration of the typical high water level entry from the Illinois river into Anderson Lake may influence the sport fish density each year and the anglers success. However, the current lack of depth and the high load of loose sediment in Anderson Lake appears to have made the habitat inhospitable for sport fish survival.
The current fishery was maintaining a cyclic pulse of sport fish with positive impacts from the flood years of 1993-95 and then high water in 1998 and 1999 and then high spring through summer levels in 2008-2011. In 2012, the very low water levels with the drought had negative impacts on the fishery in Anderson Lake. Multiple low oxygen fish kills occurred in late August through September. The majority of the biomass of fish killed were the Asian carp species. The recent improved sportfishery of the Illinois river is due to water quality improvements, and now habitat improvements in the backwater lakes could assist the aquatic life. However, the very recent introductions of the silver and bighead carp have added more negative nonnative species to the river ecosystem. These new nonnatives will need to be monitored for their impact on the fish community of the backwater lakes.
In 2019, the largemouth bass, bluegill and white crappie populations showed a substantial increase in their population densities. This appears to again be related to the high water levels and recruitment from 2018. And the fish species diversity was also very high at 32.
The timing and duration of the typical high water level entry from the Illinois river into Anderson Lake may influence the sport fish density each year and the anglers success. However, the current lack of depth and the high load of loose sediment in Anderson Lake appears to have made the habitat inhospitable for sport fish survival.
Controling Authority
Anderson Lake Conservation Area
309-759-4484
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Rob Hilsabeck
309-446-9143
309-759-4484
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Rob Hilsabeck
309-446-9143
What is the average air temp for Anderson Lake?
Looking forward to your next adventure at Anderson Lake? Don't forget to plan ahead! Weather can be unpredictable, but we've got you covered. On average, air temperatures during this time of year range from a high around 63°F (17°C) to a low around 42°F (6°C). Of course, these are just historical averages, so be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws your way. For the most up-to-date weather information, be sure to check out our Weather Bar located at the top of this page.
Are there any state parks near Anderson Lake?
Enjoy more of the outdoors with a visit to an area state park. There are 4 state parks in the vacinity of Anderson Lake.
Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
Rice Lake State Park
Sand Ridge State Forest
Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Anderson Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Sanganois Conservation Area | 9.3 mi | 1,550 | 8 ft |
| Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake | 11.6 mi | 4,000 | |
| Drake Lake | 14.6 mi | 35 | 42 ft |
| Prairie Lake | 16.0 mi | 210 | 45 ft |
| Virginia City Reservoir | 16.0 mi | 21 | |
| Gridley Lake | 17.9 mi | 25 | 42 ft |
| Fulton Co. Camping & Recreation Area | 19.5 mi | 134 | 20 ft |
DISCLAIMER: Lake-Link Inc assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions of the information for Anderson 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.
