Centralia City Lake Fishing Report - Updated: 12/2/24

Species Rating Size Baits, Method, Location
Channel Catfish Good  Up to 20 pounds The lake has maintained a great channel cat fishery for over ten years. The 2024 fall sample recorded that numbers of channel catfish continue to remain high. However, only 15% of the channel catfish were over 20 inches. Growth rates have slowed due to high numbers of smaller fish so I encourage harvest of catfish less than 18 inches. The creel limit at the lake is 10 channel catfish per day and there is no length based restrictions. Good luck.
White Bass Good 1/2 to 1 lb. The most recent fish sample shows that the white bass population continues to remain elevated with good good numbers of fish from 11 to 14 inches long. The is no daily creel limit and harvest would be good for the overall fishery.
Wiper Poor Up to 26" A low population of wipers are maintained with stockings of small fish to help manage the white bass and gizzard shad populations. Recent stockings have not had good survival and wiper numbers have fallen to their lowest point in over a decade. Wiper creel limit is 2 per day.  
Crappie Fair  1/2 to 1 pound Crappie numbers have been well below normal the last two years. It is believed that this is primarily due to competition with high numbers of white bass during this time (please feel free to harvest white bass). The 2024 sample showed fair numbers of 10-12 inch crappie and I would still call this a decent crappie lake. No recent angler reports.
Saugeye Fair 2 to 8 lbs. Saugeye do well at this lake but numbers of fish fell back to a more normal range in the fall 2024 sample from the near record highs seen in 2023. The fishery should offer good opportunities with fair numbers of fish and 56% of the fish collected were over the 18 inch minimum length limit. 
Largemouth Bass Slow  1/2 to 5 pounds The lake has low numbers of largemouth bass. The 2024 spring sample recorded that 64% of the bass were over 15". Best places are the rock piers, standing timber and around the West boat ramp. Bass are covered by an 18 inch minimum length limit.
General Comments
Centralia Lake is a 400 acre lake that is noted for good channel cat, saugeye and crappie fishing. The lake facilities include multiple ramps, picnic tables, plenty of camping pads and many sites with electricity. Centralia is enrolled in the CFAP program, which means a City permit is not required for fishing visits. Perry Reservoir has zebra mussels and with Centralia Lake being close it is at high risk. Please, always clean your boat when moving to different water bodies.