Dawson Lake
Dawson Lake is a lake of just under 150 acres in McLean County, in the same park area as Evergreen Lake at COMLARA. It is known for saugeye and channel catfish.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Saugeye
Points, riprap and the dam area. Jigs in cold water, crankbaits in summer.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
Largemouth Bass
Listed as improving
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Dawson Lake boat rampRampBoat ramps are available; watercraft need a McLean County registration decalDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Dawson Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Illinois Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Dawson Lake ↗Local tips
- Average depth is about 10 feet, so fish near any drop or cover.
- Get a watercraft decal before launching; call 309-434-6770.
- Kayaks work well on a lake with an idle-speed rule.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Illinois lakes
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.