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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

larger map link Dam Boat Ramp


    Click on area names for a more detailed map.
    Boat Ramp, Dam

Maps are not intended for navigation.


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

BLUEGILL

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.

CHANNEL CATFISH

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.

CRAPPIE

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.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

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.

REDEAR SUNFISH

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
217-442-1691
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Mike Garthaus
217-784-4730

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-1328078ApprovedRamp boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-1928305PendingRamp boat
hook
20Crappie
NoYes