Boating and Fishing

Stocking of Mill Creek Lake was started in the Spring of 1980 by the Illinois Department of Conservation. The lake has been stocked with the following: muskie, largemouth bass, walleye, channel cat, redear, bluegill, and black and white crappie. Mill Creek Lake has excellent fishing opportunities and anglers have been very impressed with the largemouth bass. Night crawlers and wax worms are available to purchase at the gatehouse.


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Fuel Dock Information 
The fuel dock is currently open.

Fishing Regulations
Daily Catch and Size Limits - Pole and Line Fishing
Lengthis measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail.
No Person shall remove the head or tail of fish to which length limits apply while on the waters.
Types:
Channel Cat - Daily limit six (6)
Largemouth Bass - Under 12" or over 15"
Muskie - At least 42" in length, daily limit one (1)
Striped Bass - Under 17" no limit. Over 17" limit of three (3) per day

These special fishing regulations are in addition to statewide regulations for sport fishing and are subject to change by the Illinois Department of Conservation.
Swimming and Skiing Regulations
All swimming is at your own risk, and only in accordance with the following rules:
  1. Absolutely no swimming is allowed in the launch area.
  2. Swimming is only allowed off of watercraft, in coves, with orange flags displayed.
  3. A swimmer must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket. Cushions, rafts, inner tubes, etc. do not meet this requirement.
  4. All boats must display a orange flag while towing a skier. Remove the flag when skier is not in tow. Orange flags can be purchased at the Gatehouse.
Boating Fees*

Boats 13' and Under

  Boats over 13' and Jet Ski's
In District** $6.00 Daily $36.00 Annual   $9.00 Daily  $78.00 Annual
Out of District $9.00 Daily $55.00 Annual $15.00 Daily $126.00 Annual
** To qualify for In-District rates, you must be a resident of or own property in 
    the  Clark County Park District.


Boating Regulations

  1. The captain of the watercraft is responsible for the actions of any and all persons on board the craft.
  2. It is unlawful for any person to operate a boat on Mill Creek Lake without first having secured a boat launch permit, daily or annual, for said boat.
  3. All motorboats shall be operated with no disturbing wake in areas marked with buoys and signs.
  4. All operators of boats shall maintain a "Keep to the Right" traffic pattern on the lake.
  5. All persons riding on water skis or jet skis, aquaplanes, or similar contrivances must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket. Ski belts are not acceptable.
  6. No motorboat shall be operated on Mill Creek Lake at a speed of greater than 40 m.p.h.
  7. No motorboat shall be operated at a speed creating a disturbing wake before sun-up or after sun-down.
  8. The lake will be open for water based activities sunrise to sunset. After sunset, no water skiing is allowed.
  9. Towing of any device in the no-wake area is prohibited.

The above regulations are in addition to statewide regulations for boating.  In addition to any fine or penalty, the Board of Commissioners may revoke the permit of any boat operator for any violation of these regulations. For additional information, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.