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LAKE BLOOMINGTON
Lake Information
County: McLean
Acreage: 635
Average Depth: 14.50 feet
Shoreline Length: 18.5 miles
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? 40hp
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? Yes
Skiing? Yes
Swimming? No
Picnicking? No
Camping? No
There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2023 |
Walleye |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
22440 |
2024 |
Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
10659 |
2024 |
Walleye |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
22880 |
Additional information for stocking on Bloomington, Lake
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Average | During the most recent fish survey, only 4 channel catfish were collected. The current channel catfish fishery is average in Lake Bloomington. Lake Bloomington does not receive any catfish stockings. | |
Very Good | Both black and white crappie are present in Lake Bloomington. The most recent spring electrofishing survey resulted in the collection of 85 white crappie per hour and 35 black crappie per hour. The objective is to collect 25 per hour for each species. The black crappie ranged in size from 5 inches to 11 inches and the largest black crappie collected weighed 0.8 pounds. The white crappie ranged in size from 7 inches to 11 inches and the largest white crappie weighed 0.75 pounds. See Site Regulation below. | |
Good | The State record hybrid striped bass was caught at Lake Bloomington in 2017. The record hybrid weighed 21.45 pounds. The hybrid striped bass fishery in Lake Bloomington is considered good. See Site Regulation below. | |
Fair | The most recent bass survey resulted in a catch rate of 59 largemouth bass per hour. The management objective is 100 bass per hour. The largest bass collected weighed 3.9 pounds. Of the bass collected over 8 inches, 43% were longer than 12 inches, and 14% longer than 15 inches. The average percent of bass over 15 inches is 20.6%. The bass fishery is rated as fair. Numbers of bass need to improve across all size ranges, especially the number of legal bass. See Site Regulation below. | |
Developing | Even though smallmouth bass have been in the lake since it was impounded, the fishery is not strong. A smallmouth bass stocking program was started in 2009 in an attempt to improve the fishery. See Site Regulation below. | |
Excellent | Walleye were first stocked into this lake in 1984, and it has received approximately 25,000 two-inch walleye every year. The most recent electrofishing survey for walleye resulted in 34.3 walleye per hour of sampling. The average catch rate for the past 18 surveys is 38.6 walleye per hour. Walleye collected during the most recent survey ranged in size from 8 inches to 24 inches. The walleye regulation was changed in 2017 to an 18-inch minimum length limit and a 3 per day harvest limit. See Site Regulation below. | |
Location: Lake Bloomington is located approximately 15 miles North of Bloomington IL, Lake Bloomington is easily accessible by taking I-39 North to the Lake Bloomington Exit, then proceeding east on the Lake Bloomington Road (2500N) 4 miles.
Description: This fertile 635-acre lake has a maximum depth of 36 feet, an average depth of 14.5 feet, and 18.5 miles of shoreline. Lake Bloomington is owned by the City of Bloomington, IL and is maintained and operated by the City's Water Department.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The IDNR currently stocks walleye, smallmouth bass and hybrid striped bass. A community-wide fish survey is completed approximately every two years and hybrid striped bass, largemouth/smallmouth bass and walleye surveys are currently conducted on an annual basis.
Additional Lake Information: There is one public boat launch, but there is a fee to use the ramp/lake. Two pole and line fishing only, no trot lines, jugs or bank poles. There is a 40hp outboard motor restriction. The City of Bloomington requires a boat sticker for watercraft utilizing Lake Bloomington.
Site Regulations:
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15" minimum length limit, 3 fish daily limit
Walleye: 18" minimum length limit, 3 fish daily limit
Crappie: 15 fish daily limit with only 5 fish greater or equal to 10"
Bluegill/Redear Sunfish: 25 fish daily limit
Hybrid Striped Bass/White Bass: 10 Fish Daily limit, with no more than 3 fish greater or equal to 17"
Contact Information: Lake Bloomington 309-434-2161IDNR 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? |
| May-15 | 28185 | Approved | Ramp | boathook | 22 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass | Yes | No |
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