Powerton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
๐๐๐๐ Central IL Power Lake โ 1,600-acre cooling lake on the Illinois River โ striped bass and hybrid striper fishery
Powerton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area centers on a 1,600-acre cooling lake in Tazewell County near Pekin. The warm-water discharge from the Powerton power station creates one of Illinois’s most unique fisheries โ stocked with striped bass and hybrid striped bass (a cross between striped and white bass). Powerton consistently produces stripers exceeding 10 pounds. The lake also supports excellent largemouth bass, walleye, and channel catfish populations.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Tazewell County, IL |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Lake | 1,600 acres! |
| Fish | 10lb+ striped bass! |
About Powerton Lake
Powerton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Tazewell County surrounds a 1,400-acre power plant cooling lake near Pekin. The warm-water discharge creates excellent fishing conditions โ the lake produces trophy-class channel catfish, largemouth bass, and hybrid striped bass. The surrounding grasslands provide pheasant habitat.
Things to Do
Fishing for trophy catfish and bass, hunting (pheasant, dove, deer), and birdwatching. The warm waters extend the fishing season well beyond typical Illinois lakes.
About Powerton Lake
Powerton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Tazewell County provides fishing on a power plant cooling lake near Pekin. The heated water creates a productive warm-water fishery with largemouth bass, channel catfish, and hybrid striped bass growing to impressive sizes.
Things to Do
Fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, and hybrid striped bass, boating, and wildlife observation. The warm-water discharge creates excellent year-round fishing conditions.
Insider Tips
Warm water fishery: Powerton Lake receives heated discharge from a power plant โ producing exceptional warm-water fishing year-round. Pro tip: The lake holds state-record-caliber largemouth bass and channel catfish โ the warm water accelerates growth rates beyond natural levels. Winter advantage: When other lakes freeze, Powerton remains open โ providing unique winter fishing opportunities.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round: Warm water means year-round fishing. Winter: Best for trophy fish โ no competition from other anglers. Spring: Bass spawn earlier here than natural lakes. Fall: Excellent fishing before winter concentration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do fish really grow bigger in warm water?
Yes โ warmer water extends the growing season and increases metabolism. Fish in power plant lakes can grow 20-30% faster than fish in natural lakes. Largemouth bass, channel catfish, and hybrid striped bass benefit most. The tradeoff is shorter lifespans โ but the fish reach trophy size years earlier.
Wildlife & Nature
Powerton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area โ a 1,426-acre cooling lake for the adjacent power plant near Pekin โ provides year-round fishing in thermally warmed waters. The warm discharge keeps portions of the lake ice-free throughout winter, creating a magnet for wintering waterfowl and bald eagles. The lake supports trophy largemouth bass, channel catfish, and hybrid striped bass that grow faster in the warm water. Double-crested cormorants โ colonial fishing birds that dive and pursue fish underwater โ roost on the lake’s dead trees. Great blue herons and great egrets wade the shallows year-round. The thermal plume creates a unique microhabitat โ fish species normally found further south thrive in the artificially warmed waters.
Nearby Attractions
Pekin โ the Tazewell County seat โ has the Mineral Springs Park. Peoria โ 10 minutes north โ offers the Peoria Riverfront Museum, Caterpillar Visitors Center, and Wildlife Prairie Park. Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area provides additional fishing. Jubilee College State Park has 3,200 acres of forest recreation. Fort Crรจve Cลur State Historic Site preserves the site of La Salle’s 1680 fort. Peoria Heights has Tower Park with Illinois River valley views.
๐ฃ Visit Powerton Lake SFWA
1,600 acres โ 10lb stripers in a nuclear-age fishing lake!
Park Location
Top Tours & Activities Near Illinois
from $89
from $508
from $35