Fishing in Adams County, Illinois
County seat: Quincy. Population 65,737.
- 5lake pages
- 4IDNR launches
- 3river pages
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Adams County fishing, quickly sorted
With 65,737 people at the 2020 count, Adams County keeps its seat in Quincy. The county's free-tackle sites belong to the IDNR fishing map's Central Illinois grouping on the IDNR map. Mississippi River, Mississippi River, Pool 21 and Mississippi River, Pool 22 counts as a border water in the digest.
5 IFishIllinois lakes here have a guide on this site, and Siloam Springs Lake is the widest of them. IDNR layers put 4 public launches within county lines. Bank fishing here includes 1 fishing pier on IDNR property. Since 2021 the IDNR table carries 29 stocking rows for waters here.
Census 2020 population; IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody pages and map; IDNR lands asset inventory (2019); IDNR stocking table; read November 4, 2026.
Every mapped launch across Adams County
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Lakes in Adams County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siloam Springs Lake | 58 | 43 ft | lake | 2 | rainbow trout, channel catfish, largemouth bass |
| Arrowhead Heights Lake | 10 | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill | |
| Moorman Park Lake | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill | ||
| Soldiers & Sailors Home Lake | 1 | lake | 0 | bluegill, largemouth bass, redear sunfish | |
| Siloam Springs Family Fishing Pond | 1 | pond | 0 | black crappie, redear sunfish, bluegill |
Acres as listed on the IDNR IFishIllinois page (printed only where the page text gives the same size); depth only where the IDNR text states a maximum depth. Launch counts from the IDNR map and 2019 inventory; acres left blank where the IDNR page text disagrees with its listing.
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Lake guides out to 50 miles from Quincy were tallied by species, with bluegill on top.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings, species named on IFishIllinois pages, the IDNR stocking table and state records, counted per lake page within 50 miles; not a survey of fish numbers.
Streams that cross Adams County
- Mississippi River15 pool pages, 58 IDNR-mapped ramps, 4 USGS gauges, shared with Iowa and Missouri
- Mississippi River, Pool 21pool of the Mississippi River, IFishIllinois page, 1 IDNR-mapped ramp, shared with Iowa and Missouri
- Mississippi River, Pool 22pool of the Mississippi River, IFishIllinois page, 2 IDNR-mapped ramps, shared with Iowa and Missouri
Stream gauges inside Adams County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Creek Near Marcelline, Il | 6 cfs, 2.43 ft gage height | Nov 12 11:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 11:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
IDNR IFishIllinois river and pool pages, USGS GNIS names, IDNR map launches and USGS gauges (live readings); read November 4, 2026.
Weather Service gauges around Adams County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River at Quincy | 11.89 ft | 66.2 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Quincy Lock and Dam 21 | 7.21 ft | 87.5 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at LaGrange | 8.35 ft | 4.58 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:00:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Hannibal | 11.32 ft | 91.4 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River at Canton Lock and Dam 20 | 7.54 ft | 96.8 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
Readings above are dated snapshots; USGS gauges on river pages update live.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Ramps you can back a trailer down in Adams County
- Mississippi River – Pool 21 Quincy Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 21, launch
- Mississippi River – Pool 22 Baird Shores Boat RampMississippi River, Pool 22, launch
- Siloam Springs Lake East Boat RampSiloam Springs Lake, launch
- Siloam Springs Lake Main Boat RampSiloam Springs Lake, launch
Fishing piers in Adams County
- Siloam Springs Fishing Pier on Siloam Springs Family Fishing Pondfishing pier, IDNR site: Siloam Springs
Look for 7 boat docks on IDNR property here.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026. IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
Where IDNR hatchery fish went in Adams County
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Moorman Park Lake | Bluegill x Green Sunfish | 1,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Moorman Park Lake | Rainbow Trout | 712 | Adult |
| 2026 | Moorman Park Lake | Rainbow Trout | 780 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Siloam Springs Lake | Channel Catfish | 752 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Siloam Springs Lake | Rainbow Trout | 1,107 | Adult |
| 2026 | Siloam Springs Lake | Rainbow Trout | 2,728 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Siloam Springs Lake | Redear Sunfish | 6,797 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Siloam Springs Lake | Walleye | 2,929 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Soldiers & Sailors Home Lake | Bluegill x Green Sunfish | 150 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Soldiers & Sailors Home Lake | Channel Catfish | 50 | Adult |
| 2025 | Arrowhead Heights Lake | Channel Catfish | 203 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Moorman Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 159 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Moorman Park Lake | Redear Sunfish | 604 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Siloam Springs Lake | Rainbow Trout | 3,162 | Adult |
| 2025 | Siloam Springs Lake | Rainbow Trout | 2,684 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Siloam Springs Lake | Walleye | 3,663 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Siloam Springs Family Fishing Pond | Channel Catfish | 30 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Siloam Springs Lake | Channel Catfish | 744 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Siloam Springs Lake | Rainbow Trout | 2,974 | Adult |
| 2024 | Siloam Springs Lake | Walleye | 5,351 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Soldiers & Sailors Home Lake | Largemouth Bass | 150 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Siloam Springs Lake | Walleye | 1,300 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Siloam Springs Family Fishing Pond | Channel Catfish | 50 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Siloam Springs Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,239 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Siloam Springs Lake | Walleye | 2,550 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Soldiers & Sailors Home Lake | Bluegill | 500 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2022 | Soldiers & Sailors Home Lake | Channel Catfish | 100 | Adult |
| 2022 | Soldiers & Sailors Home Lake | Fathead Minnow | 10 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Soldiers & Sailors Home Lake | Redear Sunfish | 10 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; rows reach the county through the water they name.
Keeping fish in Adams County: the statewide rows
Statewide rows hold across Adams County except on the waters the digest names. Plan on $15 for a resident annual or $31.50 for the nonresident version, per IDNR.
| Species | Daily limit | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | 1 per 24 hours | Harvest limit is 1 Alligator Gar per 24 hours. |
| Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Other Sunfish | no limit | There are no harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Crappie (White, Black or Hybrid Crappie) | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Lake Sturgeon | no possession | Protected; No possession. |
| Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass | 6 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including Golconda Marina), and Wabash Rivers, the d |
| Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and their Hybrid | muskellunge 1, northern pike 3 | All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36" in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified u |
| Paddlefish | 2 | Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. |
| Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their Hybrids | no limit under 17 inches; 3 at 17 inches or longer | There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids, which are less than 17" in total length, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17" in total le |
| Trout and Salmon | 5 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. |
| Walleye, Sauger, or their Hybrid | 6 (combined) | All Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid (Saugeye) taken must be 14" in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Wabash River, or except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid, either |
Digest regulations touching Adams County (8)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Arrowhead Heights Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Arrowhead Heights Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Arrowhead Heights Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Recreational Use Restrictions Spring Lake in Carroll County is closed to fishing during the 7 days prior to the regular duck season and during the regular duck and Canada goose season except in areas posted as open to fishing. All Fish While Trolling, sport fisherman must not use more than 2 poles a | |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Bluegill or Pumpkinseed Sunfish | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit, singly or in aggregate |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Northern Pike | 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Paddlefish | 33 inch (Eye to Fork) Maximum Length Limit (all Paddlefish greater than or equal to 33 inches must be immediately released back to the Mississippi River); 2 Fish Daily Harvest Limit. Snagging for Paddlefish is permitted from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset daily, March 1 t |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Rock Bass | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Striped, White, Yellow, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit; Statewide regulation limiting daily harvest to 3 Fish greater than or equal to 17 inches is not in effect on the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Walleye | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 20 inches and less than 27 inches |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Walleye or Sauger | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 27 inches |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Yellow Perch | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | All Nongame Species Combined 100 Total Fish | Daily Harvest Limit (Excludes endangered and threatened species and the following game species: Crappie, Channel/Blue/Flathead Catfish, Rock Bass, Warmouth, White/Yellow/Striped/Hybrid Striped Bass, Trout, Largemouth/Smallmouth/Spotted Bass, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Chain/Grass Pickerel, Walleye, |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Recreational Use Restrictions | Boating prohibited on refuge area (Ellis Bay) immediately upstream of Melvin Price Lock and Dam 26 overflow dike from October 15-April 15 |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Blue or Channel Catfish | 20 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Flathead Catfish | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Largemouth, Smallmouth, or Spotted Bass | 12 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & MO) | Northern Pike | 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026.
IDNR record lines that name Adams County
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigmouth Buffalo | hook and line | 48 lbs 0 oz | Mississippi River | Jan. 1, 1936 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Free rod and reel loans in Adams County
- Illinois Veteran's Home1707 N. 12th Street, Quincy, (217) 222-8641
- Quincy Public Library526 Jersey Street, Quincy, (217) 223-1309
These are the free-gear stops IDNR lists for the county.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Minnows, crawlers and guides in Adams County
Adams County tackle counters
- Wiemelts Bait And Tackle LLCbait and tackle shop, Quincy
- Dick's Sporting Goods Quincysporting goods store, Quincy
- The Boat Housemarina, Clayton
Yellow Pages, chain store and IDNR license vendor listings; guide and charter association pages (matched by the waters they list or their county), read November 4, 2026.
An Illinois blacktop jaunt from Adams County
Towns in Adams County
- Quincypop. 39,463
- Camp Pointpop. 1,121
- Paysonpop. 1,025
Neighbours of Adams County
- Brown County24 miles east
- Hancock County29 miles north
- Pike County30 miles southeast
- Schuyler County33 miles east
Piscifun gear a Prairie State angler could stow for Adams County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
A photo field guide to Adams County fish
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: kmitschke, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
The lakes and creeks of Adams County, asked and answered
Which Adams County launches are on the IDNR fishing map?
4 launches by IDNR's count, including Mississippi River – Pool 21 Quincy Boat Ramp.
Which Adams County water gives the most acres to roam?
Siloam Springs Lake, at 58 acres by the IDNR listing.
Which species top the IDNR lists around Adams County?
Bluegill tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, channel catfish and redear sunfish.
Where can I replace lost jigs in Adams County?
Wiemelts Bait And Tackle LLC is one of 3 shops here.
Can I borrow a rod for free in Adams County?
IDNR lists 2 loaner sites here, starting with Illinois Veteran's Home in Quincy.
Which Illinois town keeps the Adams County courthouse doors open?
County offices are in Quincy.
Which IDNR license covers a Adams County trip?
Plan on $15 for a resident annual or $31.50 for the nonresident version, per IDNR.
Which counties touch Adams County?
Start with Brown County, Hancock County and Pike County.
Which Adams County lakes have digest exceptions?
The digest lists 8 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Arrowhead Heights Lake; the table above shows each.
Which Adams County lakes show up in the stocking table?
The IDNR table carries 29 rows; the newest lists 6,797 Redear Sunfish, Fingerling (1 – 3") (2026) in Siloam Springs Lake.
Has Adams County put a fish in the record book?
Bigmouth Buffalo, 48 lbs 0 oz, January 1, 1936 (hook and line), from Mississippi River.
Cast the ponds and rivers across Adams County
Every lake page lists its IDNR survey ratings.