18 public waters in the Southern Illinois region — 4 lakes/reservoirs and 14 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.
In Richland County, Illinois, East Fork Lake is a 789-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.
Borah Lake in Richland County, Southern Illinois, is a 126-acre destination offering exceptional panfish and catfish diversity. Bluegill, redear sunfish, and both black and white crappie combine with channel and flathead catfish, largemouth bass, and bullheads to create a species-rich Southern Illinois fishery.
Vernor Lake's 34.6 acres in Richland County, Southern Illinois, pack surprising diversity: largemouth bass and walleye lead the charge, while bluegill, both channel and flathead catfish, and crappie provide year-round alternatives. This variety makes it a versatile choice for anglers targeting everything from sunfish to trophy cats.
At 27 acres in Richland County, Millers Lake punches above its weight with an unusual species mix including walleye, sauger, and northern pike alongside largemouth bass, bluegill, common carp, channel catfish, and freshwater drum. The presence of walleye and sauger makes this small Southern Illinois lake worth targeting, especially in cooler months.
Bonpas Creek runs 86 km through Edwards, Wabash, Richland and 1 more county 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.
Big Muddy Creek runs 54 km through Jasper, Clay and Richland 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.
The Slough runs 19 km through Lawrence and Richland 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.
East Fork Wetweather Creek runs 14 km through Jasper, Richland and Clay 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 Fox Creek runs 12 km through Richland 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.
Paul Creek runs 12 km through Richland and Lawrence 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.
Hog Run Creek runs 12 km through Richland and Clay 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.
Calfkiller Creek (11 km) flows through Richland 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.
Gentry Creek runs 9 km through Richland and Wayne 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.
East Fork Fox River (9 km) flows through Richland County, Illinois. The Fox River (the Illinois one, not the Wisconsin/Wolf one) — Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye and Northern Pike through the northeastern suburbs and down to the Illinois River, with several low-head dams creating pooled and free-flowing stretches.
Bugaboo Creek runs 9 km through Richland and Lawrence 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.
Shirley Creek (7 km) flows through Lawrence and Richland 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.
Mash Creek runs 7 km through Richland 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.
Richland, Jasper, Wayne and 1 more county in Illinois — Fox River is a 37 km stream: The Fox River (the Illinois one, not the Wisconsin/Wolf one) — Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye and Northern Pike through the northeastern suburbs and down to the Illinois River, with several low-head dams creating pooled and free-flowing stretches.
Across its mapped waters, Richland County holds 20 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Common Carp 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.