Clinton County, IL · Reservoir
Carlyle Lake
The largest lake in Illinois — a 26,000-acre Kaskaskia River reservoir an hour east of St. Louis. A wind-swept walleye, white bass, and crappie fishery with largemouth bass in the timber and abundant channel catfish. Corps of Engineers ramps and miles of public shoreline ring the lake.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Crappie, Channel Catfish & White Bass — tied at the top (68/100)
5 species tied for best of 5 tracked at Carlyle Lake.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Carlyle Lake
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 5 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Largemouth Bass Workable day for Largemouth Bass. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 6
Illinois statewide: 6 black bass/day, 12" minimum; many large reservoirs (Carlyle, Rend) raise it to a 14" minimum. Confirm the water.
Source: Illinois regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Walleye Workable day for Walleye. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 6
Illinois: 6 walleye/sauger per day, 14" minimum on most waters.
Source: Illinois regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Crappie Workable day for Crappie. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Daily creel
- 25
Illinois: 25 crappie/day statewide (Carlyle and some lakes use a 10" minimum / 15 fish rule).
Source: Illinois regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Channel Catfish Workable day for Channel Catfish. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- no limit
Illinois: no daily limit on channel catfish 13–28"; only 1 over 28"/day on most waters.
Source: Illinois regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 White Bass Workable day for White Bass. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Morone chrysops — A hard-fighting open-water schooling bass of big reservoirs and their feeder rivers across the Plains and Midwest. White bass run up tributaries by the thousands to spawn in spring — the run is a calendar event on waters like McConaughy and the Missouri reservoirs — then chase shad in surface-busting "jumps" through summer. Often hybridized with striped bass to make the "wiper." Abundant and lightly regulated, so creel limits are generous or absent.
Prefers. Water 55–80°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 4–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- no limit
Illinois: no statewide daily limit on white bass (abundant on the big rivers and reservoirs).
Source: Illinois regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Illinois
Coordinates
Notes
Carlyle: bass 14" minimum, 6/day; walleye/sauger 14" minimum, 6/day; crappie 10" minimum, 15/day.
Local reports & rules for Carlyle Lake: Illinois DNR fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Carlyle Lake?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Carlyle Lake you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Carlyle Lake?
Carlyle Lake is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Crappie, Channel Catfish, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Carlyle Lake?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Carlyle Lake against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Carlyle Lake have?
Carlyle Lake has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Carlyle: bass 14" minimum, 6/day; walleye/sauger 14" minimum, 6/day; crappie 10" minimum, 15/day.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Carlyle Lake?
state agency regulations apply at Carlyle Lake. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Carlyle Lake tidal water?
No. Carlyle Lake is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.