Fishing in the Southern Illinois Region

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

1. Rend Lake Inlet (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Catfish, Striped Bass, Crappie)

Rend Lake Inlet, Illinois

The inlet streams feeding Rend Lake 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
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Rend Lake →

2. Carlyle Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Catfish, Striped Bass, Crappie)

Carlyle Lake, Illinois

Carlyle Lake offers excellent fishing in the Southern Illinois with good public access and scenic surroundings.

• ⚠ This water: Large or Smallmouth Bass: 14 inch Minimum Length Limit
• ⚠ This water: White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 10 inch Minimum Length Limit; 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Carlyle LAke SFWA Wood Duck Access Ramp →

3. Kinkaid Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Catfish, Striped Bass, Crappie)

Kinkaid Lake, Illinois

Kinkaid Lake offers excellent fishing in the Southern 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
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Kinkaid Lake →

4. Crab Orchard Lake (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Catfish, Striped Bass, Crappie)

Crab Orchard Lake, Illinois

Crab Orchard Lake offers excellent fishing in the Southern 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
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Crab Orchard Lake →

5. Anderson Lake (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Anderson Lake, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

6. Baldwin Lake (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Baldwin Lake, Illinois

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

• ⚠ This water: All Fish: 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5)
• ⚠ This water: Large or Smallmouth Bass: 1 8 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
• ⚠ This water: Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass: 17 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
• ⚠ This water: White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Oxbow Lake Access →

7. Cedar Lake (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Cedar Lake, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Cedar Lake →

8. Deer Lake (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Deer Lake, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

9. Dunlap Lake (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Dunlap Lake, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

10. Governor Bond Lake (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Governor Bond Lake, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

11. Grassy Lake (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Grassy Lake, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

12. Horseshoe Lake (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Horseshoe Lake, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Horseshoe Lake →

13. Kidd Lake State Natural Area (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Kidd Lake State Natural Area, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

14. Lake Centralia (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Lake Centralia, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

15. Lake Hillcrest (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Lake Hillcrest, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Horseshoe Lake South Boat Ramp →

16. Lake Murphysboro State Park (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Lake Murphysboro State Park, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Lake Murphysboro →

17. Lake of Egypt (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Lake of Egypt, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Egyptian Hills →

18. Little Grassy Lake (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Little Grassy Lake, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Little Grassy Marina →

19. Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

20. Raccoon Lake (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Raccoon Lake, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

21. Rend Lake (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Rend Lake, Illinois

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

• ⚠ This water: All Fish: All jugs must be attended at all times (3)
• ⚠ This water: Large or Smallmouth Bass: 14 inch Minimum Length Limit
• ⚠ This water: Striped, White, Yellow, or Hybrid:
• ⚠ This water: White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches
• ⚠ This water: All Fish: 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
• ⚠ This water: Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
• ⚠ This water: Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
• ⚠ This water: Large or Smallmouth Bass: 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
• ⚠ This water: All Fish: Sport fishermen may not use a minnow seine, cast net, or shad scoop for bait collecting
• ⚠ This water: All Fish: Sport fishermen may harvest carp, buffalo, suckers and gar by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears from May 1 through August 31
• ⚠ This water: Large or Smallmouth Bass: 12 inch Minimum Length Limit
• ⚠ This water: All Fish: 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
• ⚠ This water: Channel Catfish: 14 inch Minimum Length Limit
• ⚠ This water: Large or Smallmouth Bass: 14 inch Minimum Length Limit
• ⚠ This water: All Fish: 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1)
• ⚠ This water: Channel Catfish: 4 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Rend Lake →

22. Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

23. Beaucoup Creek (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Beaucoup Creek, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Pine Lake →

24. Big Muddy River (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Big Muddy River, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

25. Bonpas Creek (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Bonpas Creek, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Beal Woods →

26. Cache River (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Cache River, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Private-Fee →

27. Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

28. Elm River (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Elm River, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Elm River →

29. Kaskaskia River (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Kaskaskia River, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

30. Lick Creek (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Lick Creek, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Devil's Kitchen Lake →

31. Little Marys River (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Little Marys River, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

32. Little Muddy River (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Little Muddy River, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Sandusky Creek →

33. Little Wabash River (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Little Wabash River, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

34. Lusk Creek (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Lusk Creek, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Lusk Creek →

35. Marys River (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Marys River, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

36. Mill Creek (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Mill Creek, Illinois

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

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

37. Tweedle Pond (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Tweedle Pond, Illinois

Named lake in the Southern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

38. West Frankfort City Lake (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

West Frankfort City Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Southern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →

39. Allard Lake (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Allard Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Southern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: Paducah Riverfront Boat Launch →

40. Ash Lake (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Striped Bass)

Ash Lake, Illinois

Named lake in the Southern Illinois Region region of Illinois.

• Catfish, buffalo, carp, bowfin, drum, gar, suckers, shad · Limit: No harvest limit · Grass/silver/bighead carp: no live possession
• Striped bass, white bass, yellow bass & hybrids · Limit: No limit under 17 in; 3 over 17 in · Mississippi/Missouri: 30; Mississippi/Iowa: 25

Boat Launch: East Launch →