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Otter Lake is located in north central Macoupin County 6 miles west of Girard, IL.
Otter Lake is named after Otter Creek, which was dammed to provide flood control, water-based recreation, and potable water for surrounding towns. This beautiful central Illinois Lake was built in 1968, and has provided wonderful fishing opportunities since. The lake is 765 acres, has a shoreline length of 39 miles, a watershed size of 12,985 acres, a maximum depth of 51 feet, and an average depth of 20 feet.
Otter Lake has a 115 hp motor size limit. There is a single boat ramp at mid-lake on the north side of Palmyra blacktop. The site has a concession stand/bait shop, campground, and picnic areas. All live bait in excess of 8" must be rigged with a quick set rig. 2 pole and line fishing only.
765 acres
LAKE SIZE
51 feet
MAX DEPTH
20 feet
AVG DEPTH
38.4 miles
SHORELINE
620 feet
ELEVATION
BOATING RESTRICTIONS
115hp
AMENITIES
Boat Landing
Camping
Swimming
Boat Rentals
Picnicking
Skiing
FISH TO CATCH
Channel Catfish
Hybrid Striped Bass
Largemouth Bass
Muskie
White Bass
NOTE: This list may not be all inclusive of all speices present in Otter Lake.
TOPO MAP FOR MEMBERS
FISHING OUTLOOK
CHANNEL CATFISH
VERY GOOD
Our spring 2015 species evaluation sample yielded channel catfish ranging from 12” to 24.5”, and maxing the scale at 5.6 lbs. 28% attained 2 pounds, 9.3% reached 4 pounds, and none exceeded 6 pounds in total weight. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily creel limit.
HYBRID STRIPED BASS (WIPERS)
VERY GOOD
During March of 2015, striped bass hybrids measured from 10.9” to 26.4”, and topped the scale at 9.2 pounds. 39.3% were at least 4 pounds, 14.3% met 6 pounds, and 7.1% attained 8 pounds or better. Site Regulation: 3 fish 17” or longer; 10 fish daily creel limit.
LARGEMOUTH BASS
VERY GOOD
Site Regulation: 15” minimum length limit; 3 fish daily creel limit.
MUSKELLUNGE
VERY GOOD
During this survey we boated muskie measuring from 30.7” to 39.4” and weighing up to 18.7 pounds. 92.9% made it to 32”, 78.6% reached 34”, and 35.7% topped 36” in total length.Site Regulation: 48” minimum length limit; 1 fish daily creel limit.
WHITE BASS
GOOD
During our spring field work we collected white bass ranging from 11.4” to 17.6”, and weighing up to 2.6 pounds. 80% were 12”, 20% measured 14”, and 20% grew to 16” in size. Site Regulation: 3 fish 17” or longer; 10 fish daily creel limit.
PLACES TO STAY
HISTORY AND STATUS OF FISHERY
Approximately 20 species occupy this eutrophic impoundment. Otter Lake receives stockings of 10" to 14" muskie, 4" to 8" largemouth bass, and 2" striped bass hybrids.
CONTACT / CONTROLLING AUTHORITY
Otter Lake Water Commission
217-965-1566
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Eric Ratcliff
618-931-4217
217-965-1566
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Eric Ratcliff
618-931-4217
NOTICE: Lake-Link Inc assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions of the information for Otter 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.
