34 public waters in the Southern Illinois region — 17 lakes/reservoirs and 17 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on an Illinois licence.
See every public fishing venue in Illinois on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Rend Lake (18,900 ac) in southern Illinois — one of the state's best Crappie and Largemouth Bass lakes, plus White Bass, Walleye, Muskellunge (a dedicated stocking programme), Bluegill and redear, and trophy blue and Flathead Catfish. Two state recreation areas frame the lake.
In Franklin and Jefferson Counties, Illinois, Mine Number 21 Reservoir is a 17,062-acre lake, managed by Public boat ramp. An IDNR-managed lake on a state fish and wildlife area (Sam Parr, Ramsey, Johnson Sauk Trail, Argyle, Sangchris, Forbes, Dolan, Mermet) — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, with Muskellunge or Walleye stocked in several. Managed for quality with length limits and boat-motor restrictions on many.
West Frankfort City Lake covers 206 acres in Franklin County and balances largemouth bass opportunity with strong panfish fishing—white crappie, bluegill, and yellow bass are prolific, while channel catfish provide year-round bottom action. This Southern Illinois city lake offers a full recreational fishery via public boat access.
Lake Moses, a 174-acre Franklin County impoundment in Southern Illinois, stands out for its mixed cyprinid and sunfish character: common carp inhabit the lake alongside yellow perch, yellow bass, white crappie, and bluegill. Channel catfish and yellow bullhead round out the diverse fishery accessible by public boat ramp.
West Frankfort Reservoir, a 159-acre lake in Franklin County, Illinois, managed by Public boat ramp: An IDNR-managed lake on a state fish and wildlife area (Sam Parr, Ramsey, Johnson Sauk Trail, Argyle, Sangchris, Forbes, Dolan, Mermet) — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, with Muskellunge or Walleye stocked in several. Managed for quality with length limits and boat-motor restrictions on many.
In Franklin County, Illinois, Valier Lake is a 58-acre lake, managed by Public boat ramp. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Sesser Lake's 45 acres in Franklin County support a diverse panfish and bass fishery: bluegill, redear sunfish, and black crappie inhabit shallow structure, while largemouth bass prowl throughout. Channel catfish add another angle for anglers working this Southern Illinois public water.
Zeigler City Lake spans 44.8 acres in Franklin County's southern Illinois countryside and delivers a mix of bluegill, largemouth bass, and channel catfish for shoreline and boat anglers alike.
Franklin County, Illinois — Lake Benton is a 44-acre lake, managed by Public boat ramp: An IDNR-managed lake on a state fish and wildlife area (Sam Parr, Ramsey, Johnson Sauk Trail, Argyle, Sangchris, Forbes, Dolan, Mermet) — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, with Muskellunge or Walleye stocked in several. Managed for quality with length limits and boat-motor restrictions on many.
In Franklin County, Illinois, Beaver Lake is a 43-acre lake, managed by Public boat ramp. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Thompsonville Lake (39 acres) sits in Franklin County, Illinois, managed by Public boat ramp. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
This 35.5-acre Franklin County lake in Southern Illinois is a straightforward bass and bluegill destination. Largemouth bass and bluegill form the core fishery, with channel catfish available for anglers seeking a slower-paced session.
Lake Hamilton, a 33-acre lake in Franklin County, Illinois, managed by Public boat ramp: An IDNR-managed lake on a state fish and wildlife area (Sam Parr, Ramsey, Johnson Sauk Trail, Argyle, Sangchris, Forbes, Dolan, Mermet) — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, with Muskellunge or Walleye stocked in several. Managed for quality with length limits and boat-motor restrictions on many.
Lake Helen (31 acres) sits in Franklin County, Illinois, managed by Public boat ramp. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cambon Lake (30 acres) sits in Franklin County, Illinois, managed by Public boat ramp. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Christopher Reservoir spans just 27 acres in Franklin County (Southern Illinois) and rounds out a mixed warm-water fishery with channel catfish, bluegill, and largemouth bass—making it a solid choice for panfish and catfish anglers seeking a compact venue.
In Franklin County, Illinois, Izaac Walton Lake is a 26-acre lake, managed by Public boat ramp. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Jackson, Jefferson, Franklin and 2 more counties in Illinois — Big Muddy River is a 169 km stream: The Kaskaskia or Big Muddy River in southern Illinois — largemouth and Spotted Bass, White Bass, channel, flathead and Blue Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill and Drum in slow, tree-lined, southern-Illinois bottomland rivers.
Little Muddy River (71 km) flows through Perry, Jackson, Franklin and 2 more counties in Illinois. A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Middle Fork Big Muddy River runs 63 km through Franklin and Hamilton Counties, Illinois: The Kaskaskia or Big Muddy River in southern Illinois — largemouth and Spotted Bass, White Bass, channel, flathead and Blue Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill and Drum in slow, tree-lined, southern-Illinois bottomland rivers.
Casey Fork (42 km) flows through Jefferson, Marion and Franklin Counties, Illinois. A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Williamson and Franklin Counties, Illinois, Pond Creek is a 28 km river or creek. A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Gun Creek runs 2 km through Jefferson and Franklin Counties, Illinois: A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Reese Creek runs 22 km through Perry and Franklin Counties, Illinois: A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Ewing Creek (18 km) flows through Franklin and Hamilton Counties, Illinois. A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Andy Creek runs 12 km through Franklin County, Illinois: A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Franklin and Jefferson Counties, Illinois — Sugar Camp Creek is a 12 km stream: A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Franklin and Hamilton Counties, Illinois, Akin Creek is a 9 km river or creek. A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Franklin, Jefferson and Perry Counties, Illinois, Little Indian Creek is a 8 km river or creek. A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Franklin and Williamson Counties, Illinois, Tilley Creek is a 8 km river or creek. A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Stevens Creek runs 9 km through Franklin County, Illinois: A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Marcum Branch runs 8 km through Franklin County, Illinois: A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Franklin County, Illinois — Gatling Branch is a 4 km stream: A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Halltown Creek (8 km) flows through Franklin and Saline Counties, Illinois. A warmwater Illinois river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Carp and Drum. Wade or paddle; access at IDNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Across its mapped waters, Franklin County holds 23 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Flathead Catfish, Freshwater Drum, Common Carp and Rock Bass.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the Illinois map Join PiscaMapsOne Illinois Department of Natural Resources fishing licence covers every public water in the state, the Corps and IDNR reservoirs included — resident annual about $16, non-resident annual about $32, with non-resident 1-day and 5-day options. Illinois has no trout stamp requirement for the great majority of its water. Illinois residents 65 and older, and anyone under 16, need no licence. Buy at dnr.illinois.gov.