The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 4 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Big Lake
Fulton County, Illinois · 1,000 acres (1.6 sq mi)
55°F water, calm tomorrow morning.
About Big Lake
In Fulton County, Illinois, Big Lake covers 1,000 acres; it is a natural lake. It sits on the Illinois River. Big Lake is a shallow backwater lake of the Illinois River within the Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area.
From end to end it runs about 3.4 miles with roughly 27 miles of shoreline. The water sits about 440 ft above sea level. It reaches about 24 ft at its deepest, with an average depth near 10 ft. Manito lies about 7.2 miles to the east. Peoria, the nearest city, is about 22 miles northeast.
- Size
- 1,000 acres (1.6 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 24 ft (average 10 ft)
- Shoreline
- About 27 miles
- End to end
- About 3.4 miles
- Elevation
- About 440 ft
- Type
- Natural lake
- River
- Illinois River
- County
- Fulton County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Good
- 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise
- 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 13 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 2 mph
- 3:15 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 2 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
For a lake of this size in Illinois, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish are the fish to expect. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. At 55°F on the surface right now, here is how each one should behave.
- FairLargemouth bass
Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
- FairCrappie
Schooled on deeper brush piles. Fish small jigs slowly.
- FairBluegill and sunfish
Warming. Shallow, sunny pockets in the afternoon.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Back of a cove
Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
4 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:43 am · sunset 4:43 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Big Lake
- Manitoabout 7.2 mi east
- Cantonabout 7.2 mi northwest
- Glasfordabout 7.5 mi northeast
- Lewistownabout 11 mi west
- Peorianearest city, about 22 mi northeast
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Questions about Big Lake
What fish are in Big Lake?
Lakes like Big Lake usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Big Lake?
About 24 ft at the deepest point, about 10 ft on average. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Big Lake?
1,000 acres, with about 27 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Big Lake?
Manito is about 7.2 miles east; Canton is about 7.2 miles northwest.
What is the water temperature at Big Lake today?
The surface was about 55°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Big Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
