Fishing in the Northwestern Illinois Region

The inlet streams feeding Rock River offer good fishing for the region's target species.

1. Rock River Inlet (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Rock River Inlet, Illinois

The inlet streams feeding Rock River offer good fishing for the region's target species.

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

Boat Launch: Rock River Inlet →

2. Pecatonica River (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Pecatonica River, Illinois

Pecatonica River offers excellent fishing in the Northwestern Illinois with good public access and scenic surroundings.

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

3. Apple River (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Apple River, Illinois

Apple River offers excellent fishing in the Northwestern Illinois with good public access and scenic surroundings.

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

4. Shabbona Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Shabbona Lake, Illinois

Shabbona Lake offers excellent fishing in the Northwestern Illinois with good public access and scenic surroundings.

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

5. Apple Canyon Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Apple Canyon Lake, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

6. Candlewick Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Candlewick Lake, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

7. Frentress Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Frentress Lake, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: Fentress Lake Marina →

8. Fyre Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Fyre Lake, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: Rock River →

9. Lake Carlton (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Lake Carlton, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

10. Lake Carroll (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Lake Carroll, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

11. Lake Galena (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Lake Galena, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

12. Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

13. Lake Summerset (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Lake Summerset, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

14. Lake Thunderbird (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Lake Thunderbird, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

15. Senachwine Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Senachwine Lake, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

16. Woodhaven Lakes (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Woodhaven Lakes, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: Woodhaven Lakes →

17. Big Bureau Creek (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Big Bureau Creek, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

18. Coon Creek (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Coon Creek, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: Rock River →

19. Edwards River (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Edwards River, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: Rock River →

20. Galena River (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Galena River, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

21. Green River (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Green River, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

22. Henderson Creek (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Henderson Creek, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

23. Kishwaukee River (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Kishwaukee River, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: Canoe Launch →

24. Kyte River (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Kyte River, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

25. Leaf River (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Leaf River, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

26. Little Menominee River (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Little Menominee River, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: Fentress Lake Marina →

27. Menominee River (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Menominee River, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: Fentress Lake Marina →

28. Mississippi River (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Mississippi River, Illinois

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

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

Boat Launch: Mississippi River →

29. Big Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Big Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Northwestern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

30. Billings Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Billings Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Northwestern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

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

Boat Launch: Naples Boat Club →

31. Bissell Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Bissell Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Northwestern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

32. Black Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Black Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Northwestern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

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

Boat Launch: Prairie Pond Access →

33. Blackberry Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Blackberry Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Northwestern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

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

Boat Launch: Lost Lake →

34. Blanke Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Blanke Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Northwestern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

35. Bluebill Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Bluebill Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Northwestern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

36. Bluff Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Bluff Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Northwestern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

37. Bluff Lake (historical) (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Bluff Lake (historical), Illinois

Named lake in the Northwestern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

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

Boat Launch: East Launch →

38. Boss Wilson Pond (historical) (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Boss Wilson Pond (historical), Illinois

Named lake in the Northwestern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

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

Boat Launch: Griggsville Ldg Access →

39. Bottom Lake (historical) (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Bottom Lake (historical), Illinois

Named lake in the Northwestern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

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

Boat Launch: Fayetteville Boat Ramp →

40. Boulder Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie)

Boulder Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Northwestern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

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

Boat Launch: Boulder Lake →