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MINGO, LAKE
Lake Information
County: Vermilion
Acreage: 170
Average Depth: 13.48 feet
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? 9.9hp
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2023 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
1705 |
2024 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
1705 |
2024 |
Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
8962 |
Additional information for stocking on Mingo, Lake
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Fair | The Bluegill population is regulated by a length limit that protects the larger Bluegill from overharvest. Only 5 Bluegill over 8 inches can be kept, but a total of 20 Bluegill can be harvested. Approximately 38% of the Bluegill collected during the most recent survey were longer than 6 inches. No Bluegill were collected over 8 inches, but 7% of the Bluegill were longer than 7 inches. The Bluegill fishery has improved under the maximum size limit, but there is plenty of room for improvement. Lake Mingo has a good Bluegill fishery. See site regulation below. | |
Good | The State Hatchery System stocks channel catfish each year to maintain a quality catfish fishery. The catfish fishery in Lake Mingo commonly produces catfish from 1 to 10 pounds. With the continued efforts from the hatchery, the catfish fishery will provide anglers a great fishing opportunity. See site regulation below. | |
Good | In 2008, a 9” length limit and a 15 per day harvest limit was placed on crappie. No crappie were collected during the most recent survey but the crappie fishery is very cyclic and Lake Mingo is difficult to sample crappie. See site regulation below. | |
Good | During the most recent electrofishing survey, the catch rate for bass was 92 per hour and the management objective is 100 per hour. Of the bass collected over 8 inches, 50% were longer than 12 inches, 21% were longer than 15 inches, and 6% were longer than 20 inches. Lake Mingo has a good bass fishery. See site regulation below. | |
Average | The number of Redear Sunfish has fluctuated over the years and may be due to the amount of aquatic vegetation in Lake Mingo. Redear Sunfish are dependent upon having adequate amounts of aquatic vegetation. Even though the Redear Sunfish numbers change, there are always 7 to 9-inch Redear Sunfish in the fishery. On average, 70.5% of the Redear Sunfish collected are larger than 7 inches. Reproduction has been low the past few years and is resulting in a decline in Redear Sunfish numbers. Redear Sunfish were stocked in an effort to increase numbers to previous levels, but the stockings were terminated after the 2022 stockings. See site regulation below. | |
Location: Lake Mingo is located 8 miles north of Danville at Kennekuk County Park and is owned and operated by the Vermilion County Conservation District. . For more information about Lake Mingo and Kennekuk Cove County Park, visit the web page http://www.vccd.org/gikennekuk.html
Description: Lake Mingo is 170 acres and was built in 1980 and renovated in 1983. The lake has a maximum depth of 38 feet and an average depth of 13.5 feet. There is a 9.9 horsepower limit and there is one boat launch.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The IDNR Division of Fisheries has been active in the management of the fisheries in Lake Mingo since the lake was constructed. The lake currently receives stockings of Channel Catfish and Saugeye.
Additional Lake Information: There is a 9.9 horsepower limit and there is one boat launch. 2 pole and line fishing only, except bowfishing is allowed from a boat.
Site Regulations:
Largemouth Bass: Only 2 fish less than 15" and 1 fish, greater than 15” minimum length limit, 3 fish daily limit
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit
Muskie: 36" minimum length limit, 1 fish daily limit
Bluegill/Redear Sunfish: 5 fish over 8” minimum length, 20 fish daily limit
Crappie: 9” minimum length limit, 15 fish daily limit
Contact Information: Lake Mingo and Kennekuk Cove County Park 217-442-1691IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Mike Garthaus217-784-4730
Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.
Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.
2024–2025 Approved or Pending Tournaments | ||||||||
Start Date | ID | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? | Open to Public? |
April-13 | 28078 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
April-19 | 28305 | Pending | Ramp | boathook | 20 | Crappie | No | Yes |