McMaster Lake
The following is an excerpt from the IL State Parks website:
Anglers will
not be disappointed with Snakeden Hollow. With more than 300
acres of lakes and ponds, ranging in size from 0.4 to 142 acres,
there is something for everyone. More than 3 dozen of the lakes
and ponds are actively managed for their fishery.
Fish species found include largemouth and smallmouth bass,
bluegill, redear sunfish, walleye, muskie, green sunfish, black
crappie, channel catfish and bullhead. Fish creel and size
limits are posted at each parking lot.
The site
contains 125 water impoundments totaling 400 acres. All lakes
and ponds, except the 160-acre Snakeden Hollow Lake, were formed
as the result of surface mining operations. The water areas
currently contain largemouth and smallmouth bass, rainbow and
brown trout, muskie, bluegill, redear sunfish, walleye, green
sunfish, black crappie, channel catfish and bullhead.
Good wildlife habitat provides a home to numerous species of
mammals, birds and reptiles. A favorite nesting spot of giant
Canada geese, the site has 2,100 acres of grassland, brushy
draws, briers, shrubs, cropland and limited hardwood forest. The
remaining 400 acres are in agricultural leases.
The 2,497-acre site is located 1 mile southeast of Victoria in
Knox County. Take Route 167 east from Victoria to find the site
office and hunter check station.
The access road to the main lake, boat launch ramp, parking lot
and toilets can be reached via County Road No. 28~ two miles
east of Victoria.
The
following is an excerpt from the IL DNR's
"STATUS OF MUSKIE FISHERY IN ILLINOIS 2004"
MCMASTER LAKE - This 142 acre watershed impoundment located in the center of the 2,500 acre Snakeden Hollow State Fish & Wildlife Area has several unique physical and chemical features to support a quality muskie fishery. The lake is 56 feet deep in the central main basin with adjacent shallow gravel bars, abrupt dropoffs, numerous bays, points and islands, a standing timber area, extensive shallow flats of submerged vegetation, and cattail flats. The lake also possesses extremely high water clarity with visibility occasionally extending down to 30 feet.The Mississippi Valley Chapter of Muskie, Inc. and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources have cooperated in the stocking of 1,580 Leech Lake strain muskie (9 to 16 inch) during the 1991 through 2003 period. In 2004, this unique lake will offer anglers a limited density muskie fishery with fish ranging up to 50 inches. A 42 inch minimum length limit with a one fish/day limit is enforced at Lake McMaster (formerly Snakeden Hollow Lake).
Coming Soon !!!