What special fishing regulations apply at Clinton Lake (DeWitt County)?

Clinton Lake (DeWitt County) carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Illinois' statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye (and sauger / saugeye). One of them reads: "Cooling lake on the Clinton Power Station, central IL — year-round open-water trophy bass driven by thermal discharge; 16 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 3 / day (stricter than the 14 in / 6 statewide); walleye 18 in min, 3 / day; striped + white + hybrid striped bass 10 / day, no more than 3 of 17 in or longer; crappie 15 / day, no more than 10 of 10 in or longer and 5 under 10 in; blue + channel catfish 10 / day." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Clinton Lake (DeWitt County)?

Yes. Clinton Lake (DeWitt County) is in Illinois, so a valid Illinois fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Clinton Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Illinois rules.

Do Clinton Lake (DeWitt County)'s special rules replace Illinois' statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Illinois' statewide 2026 regulations apply on Clinton Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Clinton Lake?

Walleye (and sauger / saugeye) has a water-body-specific rule on Clinton Lake (DeWitt County), each linking to its full Illinois regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Illinois limits.

2026 regulation year

Clinton Lake (DeWitt County) 2026 — Illinois Fishing Regulations

Illinois statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Clinton Lake (DeWitt County) carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Illinois's 2026 fishing rules — covering Walleye (and sauger / saugeye). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Cooling lake on the Clinton Power Station, central IL — year-round open-water trophy bass driven by thermal discharge; 16 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 3 / day (stricter than the 14 in / 6 statewide); walleye 18 in min, 3 / day; striped + white + hybrid striped bass 10 / day, no more than 3 of 17 in or longer; crappie 15 / day, no more than 10 of 10 in or longer and 5 under 10 in; blue + channel catfish 10 / day
Source: Illinois special-water list

Per-species rules on Clinton Lake (DeWitt County)

Walleye (and sauger / saugeye) regulations →
18 in min, 3 / day; trophy walleye management

Official source

Illinois Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 Illinois fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Illinois fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Illinois Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Illinois trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Illinois

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Clinton Lake (DeWitt County)?: Clinton Lake (DeWitt County) carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Illinois' statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye (and sauger / saugeye). One of them reads: "Cooling lake on the Clinton Power Station, central IL — year-round open-water trophy bass driven by thermal discharge; 16 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 3 / day (stricter than the 14 in / 6 statewide); walleye 18 in min, 3 / day; striped + white + hybrid striped bass 10 / day, no more than 3 of 17 in or longer; crappie 15 / day, no more than 10 of 10 in or longer and 5 under 10 in; blue + channel catfish 10 / day." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Clinton Lake (DeWitt County)?: Yes. Clinton Lake (DeWitt County) is in Illinois, so a valid Illinois fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Clinton Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Illinois rules.
Do Clinton Lake (DeWitt County)'s special rules replace Illinois' statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Illinois' statewide 2026 regulations apply on Clinton Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Clinton Lake?: Walleye (and sauger / saugeye) has a water-body-specific rule on Clinton Lake (DeWitt County), each linking to its full Illinois regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Illinois limits.

← Back to Illinois regulations overview