Fishing in the Eastern Illinois Region

The inlet streams feeding Lake Vermilion offer good fishing for the region's target species.

1. Lake Vermilion Inlet (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Lake Vermilion Inlet, Illinois

The inlet streams feeding Lake Vermilion offer good fishing for the region's target species.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Lake Vermilion Inlet →

2. Kickapoo Park (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Kickapoo Park, Illinois

Kickapoo Park offers excellent fishing in the Eastern Illinois with good public access and scenic surroundings.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

3. Wabash River (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Wabash River, Illinois

Wabash River offers excellent fishing in the Eastern Illinois with good public access and scenic surroundings.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

4. Embarras River (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Embarras River, Illinois

Embarras River offers excellent fishing in the Eastern Illinois with good public access and scenic surroundings.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

5. Bayles Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Bayles Lake, Illinois

Popular fishing lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

6. East Fork Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

East Fork Lake, Illinois

Popular fishing lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

7. Kellart Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Kellart Lake, Illinois

Popular fishing lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Kellart Lake →

8. Lake Charleston (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Lake Charleston, Illinois

Popular fishing lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

9. Lake Iroquois (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Lake Iroquois, Illinois

Popular fishing lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

10. Lake Mattoon (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Lake Mattoon, Illinois

Popular fishing lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Lake Mattoon Marina →

11. Lake Paradise (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Lake Paradise, Illinois

Popular fishing lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Lake Mattoon Marina →

12. Lake Shelbyville (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Lake Shelbyville, Illinois

Popular fishing lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Lake Shelbyville →

13. Lake Vermilion (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Lake Vermilion, Illinois

Popular fishing lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Lake Mingo →

14. Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Illinois

Popular fishing lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

15. Boneyard Creek (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Boneyard Creek, Illinois

Popular river fishing in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

16. Donica Creek (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Donica Creek, Illinois

Popular river fishing in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

17. Iroquois River (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Iroquois River, Illinois

Popular river fishing in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Iroquois River →

18. Little Embarras River (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Little Embarras River, Illinois

Popular river fishing in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

19. Little Vermilion River (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Little Vermilion River, Illinois

Popular river fishing in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

20. Middle Fork Vermilion River (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Middle Fork Vermilion River, Illinois

Popular river fishing in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Kinny's Ford Access →

21. North Fork Embarras River (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

North Fork Embarras River, Illinois

Popular river fishing in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

22. Ashley Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Ashley Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

23. Askins Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Askins Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Lake Shelbyville →

24. Avery Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Avery Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Paducah Riverfront Boat Launch →

25. B and A Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

B and A Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Rend Lake →

26. Bailey Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Bailey Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Prairie Pond Access →

27. Barlow Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Barlow Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Scott County Naples Access →

28. Barton Pond (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Barton Pond, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: MDC Calumet Creek Boat Ramp →

29. The Bayou (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

The Bayou, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

30. Bear Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Bear Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

31. Beaver Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Beaver Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Upper Stump Lake →

32. Beaver Pond (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Beaver Pond, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

33. Beaverdam Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Beaverdam Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Paducah Riverfront Boat Launch →

34. Beehive Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Beehive Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Wesseln Lake →

35. Bell Pond (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Bell Pond, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Prairie Pond Access →

36. Benson Slough (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Benson Slough, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Fayetteville Boat Ramp →

37. Big Beaver Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Big Beaver Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: Pine Lake →

38. Big Flat Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Big Flat Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

39. Big Forked Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Big Forked Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →

40. Big Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye)

Big Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Eastern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Walleye, sauger, saugeye · Limit: 6 combined · Min 14 in (except Mississippi/Wabash)

Boat Launch: East Launch →