Raccoon Lake was built by Centralia for water-supply purposes, and was completed in 1942. Centralia, which continues to own and operate the lake, works with the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to stock it with fish. There is a partially ADA-compliant fishing dock. The IDNR reports that lake fishing includes
largemouth bass,
channel catfish, white and black
crappies, and
bluegill. The lake also contains carps and yellow bullhead. The marina and boat ramp are located on the south side of the lake near Country Club Road, and there are no restrictions on boat fishing or power. The lake is located in
Centralia Township, and portions of the shoreline has been developed as residential real estate. Fed by Raccoon Creek, Illinois, the reservoir's waters flow into
Crooked Creek and, from there, into the
Kaskaskia River. The nearest limited-access highway exist is Exit 109 on
Interstate 57. ==References==