Lake Mattoon is a

reservoir A reservoir (; from French ''réservoir'' ) is an enlarged lake behind a dam. Such a dam may be either artificial, built to store fresh water or it may be a natural formation. Reservoirs can be created in a number of ways, including contro ...

located in

Coles County, Illinois Coles County is a county in Illinois. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,863. Its county seat is Charleston, which is also the home of Eastern Illinois University. Coles County is part of the Charleston- Mattoon, IL Micropolitan St ...

Cumberland County, Illinois Cumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the population was 11,048. Its county seat is Toledo. Cumberland County is part of the Charleston– Mattoon, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area. H ...

, and

Shelby County, Illinois Shelby County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 20,990. Its county seat is Shelbyville. History Shelby County was formed in 1827 out of Fayette County. It was named in hon ...

. Almost three-quarters of the lake, , is located in Shelby County. The reservoir was built to supply

tap water Tap water (also known as faucet water, running water, or municipal water) is water supplied through a tap, a water dispenser valve. In many countries, tap water usually has the quality of drinking water. Tap water is commonly used for drinking, ...

Mattoon, Illinois Mattoon ( ) is a city in Coles County, Illinois, United States. The population was 16,870 as of the 2020 census. The city is home to Lake Land College and has close ties with its neighbor, Charleston. Both are principal cities of the Charleston� ...

and Neoga, but also provides

fish Fish are aquatic, craniate, gill-bearing animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish as well as various extinct related groups. Approximately 95% of ...

ing and

boat A boat is a watercraft of a large range of types and sizes, but generally smaller than a ship, which is distinguished by its larger size, shape, cargo or passenger capacity, or its ability to carry boats. Small boats are typically found on inl ...

ing recreation. The lake is long and wide. The lake is owned by the city of Mattoon. Boaters must buy a permit to use the lake. There is no power limit on the lake, which welcomes waterskiers. The lake is stocked with bass, bluegill,

catfish Catfish (or catfishes; order Siluriformes or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the three largest species alive ...

, and crappie. The nearest Interstate access is Exit 177 on

Interstate 57 Interstate 57 (I-57) is a north–south Interstate Highway in Missouri and Illinois that parallels the old Illinois Central Railroad for much of its route. It runs from Sikeston, Missouri, at I-55 to Chicago, Illinois, at I-94. I-57 ess ...

."Lake Mattoon Map", Mattoon Chamber of Commerce (no date), accessed July 23, 2007. "Lake Mattoon", Illinois Department of Natural Resources, accessed July 23, 2007. A large

Reliant Energy Reliant Energy is an American energy company based in Houston, Texas. History Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Reliant Energy, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, is one of the largest Texas electricity providers serving over 1.5 million Texans. Relian ...

electricity generating plant stands adjacent to the lake.

References

{{authority control Protected areas of Coles County, Illinois Protected areas of Cumberland County, Illinois Mattoon Protected areas of Shelby County, Illinois Bodies of water of Coles County, Illinois Bodies of water of Cumberland County, Illinois Bodies of water of Shelby County, Illinois