Guide To The Best Fishing Lakes In Illinois

Top places to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and more in IL.

Clinton Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, Fox Chain O' Lakes, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Decatur, Lake Shelbyville, Rend Lake and Sangchris Lake are among the most popular places for fishing in Illinois, offering anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species, some offer ice fishing when the ice is safe in winter. The Fishing Boat Rental Page lists options for fishing boat rentals at some of these lakes.

Bass Lakes

Carlyle Lake, Cedar Lake, Clinton Lake, Coffeen Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, East Fork Lake, Fox Chain O' Lakes, Heidecke Lake, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Michigan, Lake Of Egypt, Lake Shelbyville, Lake Springfield, Little Grassy Lake and Rend Lake are considered the best options for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. More...

Catfish Lakes

Carlyle Lake, Clinton Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, Fox Chain O' Lakes, Heidecke Lake, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Shelbyville, Lake Springfield, Newton Lake, Rend Lake and Sangchris Lake are favorite options for channel, blue and flathead catfish. More...

Crappie Lakes

Clinton Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, East Fork Lake, Evergreen Lake, Fox Chain O' Lakes, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Decatur, Lake Lou Yeager, Lake Mattoon, Lake Of Egypt, Lake Shelbyville, Lake Springfield, Rend Lake and Sangchris Lake are the most popular for black and white crappie. More...

Sunfish & Panfish Lakes

Anderson Lake, Carlyle Lake, Cedar Lake, Clinton Lake, Coffeen Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, Devils Kitchen Lake, Fox Chain O' Lakes, Lake Decatur, Lake Of Egypt, Lake Shelbyville, Lake Springfield, Little Grassy Lake, Pistakee Lake, Rend Lake and Sangchris Lake are popular spots to fish for bluegill, bream, perch and other sunfish. More...

Walleye, Sauger & Saugeye Lakes

Crab Orchard Lake, East Fork Lake, Evergreen Lake, Fox Chain O' Lakes, Heidecke Lake, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Decatur, Lake Mattoon, Lake Of Egypt, Lake Shelbyville, Lake Taylorville and Sangchris Lake are considered amongst the top lakes for walleye fishing. More...

Trout Lakes

While many small lakes and ponds are stocked with trout, Devil's Kitchen Lake is the favorite option among larger lakes for rainbow and brown trout. More...

Striped Bass Lakes

Cedar Lake, Clinton Lake, Coffeen Lake, Heidecke Lake, Lake Decatur, Lake Mattoon and Sangchris Lake are the best options for striped bass or hybrid striped bass. More...

Salmon Lakes

Lake Michigan is the only option in IL for Atlantic and coho sockeye salmon fishing. More...

Visit the Illinois fishing page for links to information covering a wide variety of fish species and destinations in the state. Visit the Illinois map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations. Look to our sister site for additional information about boating in IL at many of the most popular destinations in the state.

Best Destinations By State.