34 public waters in the Northern Illinois region — 5 lakes/reservoirs and 29 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.
Carroll, McDonough, Bureau and 3 more counties in Illinois — Spring Lake is a 3,649-acre lake, managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources: A Mississippi or Illinois River backwater lake (Rice Lake, Banner Marsh, Sanganois, Meredosia Lake, Anderson Lake) — shallow, fertile, connected to the river in high water. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie, Bowfin, Carp and buffalo. Classic Illinois River-valley duck-and-bass water.
In McDonough County, Illinois, Argyle Lake is a 93-acre lake, managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 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.
Vermont New Lake (34 acres) sits in McDonough 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.
McDonough County, Illinois — Colmar Lake is a 25-acre lake, managed by State Department of Natural Resources: 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.
McDonough County, Illinois — Sewage Treatment Pond is a 15-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.
Schuyler, Hancock, Brown and 3 more counties in Illinois — La Moine River is a 7 km stream: A central-Illinois prairie river (the Sangamon, Vermilion, Embarras, Mackinaw, Spoon, La Moine) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Carp and Drum. Muddy, meandering, agricultural-belt water.
East Fork La Moine River (62 km) flows through McDonough, Hancock and Warren Counties, Illinois. A central-Illinois prairie river (the Sangamon, Vermilion, Embarras, Mackinaw, Spoon, La Moine) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Carp and Drum. Muddy, meandering, agricultural-belt water.
Schuyler, McDonough, Fulton and 1 more county in Illinois — Sugar Creek is a 49 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.
McDonough, Schuyler and Fulton Counties, Illinois — Camp Creek is a 35 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.
La Harpe Creek runs 31 km through Hancock and McDonough 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.
Grindstone Creek (21 km) flows through McDonough 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.
McDonough and Warren Counties, Illinois — Drowning Fork is a 22 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 Hancock and McDonough Counties, Illinois, Bronson Creek is a 21 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.
McDonough County, Illinois — Troublesome Creek is a 20 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 McDonough and Hancock Counties, Illinois, South Branch La Moine River is a 19 km river or creek. A central-Illinois prairie river (the Sangamon, Vermilion, Embarras, Mackinaw, Spoon, La Moine) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Carp and Drum. Muddy, meandering, agricultural-belt water.
Kepple Creek (20 km) flows through McDonough 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.
Shaw Creek runs 18 km through Fulton and McDonough 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.
Little Creek runs 17 km through Hancock and McDonough 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.
McDonough County, Illinois — Farmers Fork is a 17 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.
McDonough and Hancock Counties, Illinois — Rock Creek is a 16 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 McDonough and Hancock Counties, Illinois, Baptist Creek is a 16 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.
McDonough County, Illinois — Spring Creek is a 16 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.
Town Fork (13 km) flows through McDonough 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.
Carter Creek runs 13 km through McDonough 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.
Gallett Creek (12 km) flows through Fulton and McDonough 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.
Short Fork runs 11 km through McDonough 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.
Voel Creek (11 km) flows through Hancock, Henderson and McDonough 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 McDonough County, Illinois, Killjordan Creek is a 11 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 Fulton and McDonough Counties, Illinois, Barker Creek is a 10 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.
Fulton and McDonough Counties, Illinois — South Fork Shaw Creek is a 9 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.
Warren and McDonough Counties, Illinois — North Fork East Fork La Moine River is a 9 km stream: A central-Illinois prairie river (the Sangamon, Vermilion, Embarras, Mackinaw, Spoon, La Moine) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Carp and Drum. Muddy, meandering, agricultural-belt water.
Willow Creek (8 km) flows through Schuyler and McDonough 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 Schuyler and McDonough Counties, Illinois, Rich Branch 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 Schuyler and McDonough Counties, Illinois, Tolans Branch is a 7 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.
Across its mapped waters, McDonough County holds 19 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Common Carp, Flathead Catfish, Rock Bass and Freshwater Drum.
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.