36 public waters in the Southern Illinois region — 9 lakes/reservoirs and 27 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.
Baldwin Lake, a 1,875-acre lake in Randolph and St. Clair Counties, Illinois, managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources: An Illinois power-plant cooling lake (Lake Sangchris, Coffeen Lake, Newton Lake, Powerton Lake, Clinton Power Station Lake, Baldwin Lake, Braidwood Lake, Heidecke Lake) — warm-water discharge keeps these fishing well into winter. Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, channel and Blue Catfish, Bluegill and Crappie.
This sprawling 491-acre pool on the Kaskaskia River in Randolph County, Southern Illinois, is a catfish paradise—both channel and flathead catfish thrive here alongside largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, common carp, freshwater drum and hybrid striped bass. The scale and species diversity of this river impoundment make it a premier destination for multi-species anglers across the region.
Randolph County, Illinois — West C Streamline Lake is a 99-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.
Randolph County Lake, a 80-acre lake in Randolph County, Illinois, 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.
City Reservoir (50 acres) sits in Randolph and White Counties, 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 Randolph and Madison Counties, Illinois, Old City Reservoir is a 41-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.
Randolph County, Illinois — New City Reservoir is a 40-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.
Schaffner Lake (23 acres) sits in Randolph County, Illinois, 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.
Randolph and Perry Counties, Illinois — Southwestern Community Club Lake is a 19-acre lake, managed by Private: 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.
Splits north-south: a walleye fishery up top, a catfish hotspot down south, with blue catfish reaching giant sizes in the lower stretches. Channel catfish are abundant in every pool — Pool 13 and Pool 15 among the best for backwater and slough habitat — alongside bass and crappie around spots like Fort Kaskaskia.
In Randolph County, Illinois, Marys River is a 63 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.
Randolph County, Illinois — Plum Creek is a 32 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 Randolph County, Illinois, Establishment Creek is a 3 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.
Randolph County, Illinois — Little Marys River is a 14 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.
Doza Creek (24 km) flows through St. Clair and Randolph 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.
Ninemile Creek runs 20 km through Randolph 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.
Cox Creek (15 km) flows through Randolph and Jackson 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 Monroe and Randolph Counties, Illinois, Old Maeystown 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.
South Fork Mud Creek (10 km) flows through Washington and Randolph 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.
Randolph County, Illinois — Old River is a 15 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.
Randolph County, Illinois — Gravel Creek is a 11 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.
The Discharge River runs 13 km through Randolph 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.
Welge Creek (6 km) flows through Randolph 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.
In Randolph County, Illinois, Missouri Chute River is a 12 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 Randolph and Jackson Counties, Illinois, Little Mill 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.
Idlewild Slough runs 12 km through Randolph 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.
Onemile Race Creek runs 12 km through Monroe and Randolph 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 Ninemile Creek (9 km) flows through Randolph 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.
Jackson and Randolph Counties, Illinois — Degognia 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.
Randolph County, Illinois — Prairie du Rocher Creek is a 10 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.
Little Plum Creek runs 8 km through Randolph 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.
In Randolph and Monroe Counties, Illinois, Black 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.
Tindall Creek (7 km) flows through Randolph 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.
In Randolph County, Illinois, Rockcastle Creek 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.
In Jackson and Randolph Counties, Illinois, Piney 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.
Maxwell Creek (6 km) flows through Randolph 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.
Across its mapped waters, Randolph County holds 29 species on PiscaMaps, including Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Flathead Catfish, Freshwater Drum, Rock Bass and Common Carp.
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.