Fishing in Bond County, Illinois
County seat: Greenville. Population 16,725.
- 3lake pages
- 3IDNR launches
Pick for bluegillPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Carlyle Lake: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain
Sizing up the water in Bond County
Greenville is the county seat of Bond County, and the 2020 Census found 16,725 people living in the county. The IDNR fishing map files the county's loaner sites under the IDNR fishing map's Southern Illinois grouping.
Among 3 lake pages for the county, Carlyle Lake spreads over the most acres. Within the county, IDNR data shows 3 public launches. 16 stocking rows in the IDNR table name county water since 2021.
Census 2020 population; IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody pages and map; IDNR lands asset inventory (2019); IDNR stocking table; read November 4, 2026.
IDNR launches and lakes of Bond County, plotted
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Ponds and lakes scattered across Bond County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlyle Lake | 24,580 | 35 ft | lake | 14 | sauger, bluegill, largemouth bass |
| Governor Bond Lake | 775 | lake | 2 | hybrid striped bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish | |
| Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake) | 25 | lake | 1 | channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill |
Past the Bond County line, these lake pages are closest to Greenville.
| Lake | From Greenville | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffeen Lake | 12 miles north | 1,102 | 58 ft | lake | 2 | largemouth bass, flathead catfish, redear sunfish |
| Vandalia Lake | 16 miles northeast | 646 | 41 ft | lake | 1 | channel catfish, bluegill, flathead catfish |
| Silver Lake (Highland) | 17 miles west | 550 | lake | 2 | redear sunfish, bluegill, channel catfish | |
| Highland Old City Lake | 18 miles southwest | 18 | lake | 0 | bluegill, black crappie, redear sunfish | |
| Hillsboro Old City Lake | 20 miles north | 100 | lake | 1 | largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish | |
| Lake Glenn Shoals | 22 miles north | 1,085 | lake | 2 | bluegill, hybrid striped bass, blue catfish |
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.
For the bluegill herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Which fish the lake pages near Bond County mention
A count of nearby lake pages (to 50 miles from Greenville) puts channel catfish first.
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.
Creek and slough fishing in Bond County
Live streamflow in Bond County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Shoal Creek Near Pierron, Il | 10 cfs, 42.01 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 9:33 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.
Forecast-service gauges near Bond County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaskaskia River at Vandalia | 2.83 ft | 0.0978 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Kaskaskia River above Carlyle Lake Dam (pool) | 444.79 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Kaskaskia River below Carlyle Dam Tailwater | 412.38 ft | 0.235 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Kaskaskia River at Carlyle | 5.51 ft | 0.0512 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
Snapshot readings only, each with its UTC time; live USGS data sits on the river pages.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
State and park ramps in Bond County
- Governor Bond Lake Boat Ramp South EndGovernor Bond Lake, IDNR note: City boat permit required to launch/boat on lake
- Governor Bond Lake Idler Lane Boat RampGovernor Bond Lake, IDNR note: City boat permit required to launch/boat on lake
- Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake) Boat RampPatriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake), IDNR note: Permit required to launch/boat on lake
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.
Dated reservoir levels in Bond County
| Lake | Pool | Inflow (DSF) | Outflow (DSF) | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlyle Lake | 444.82 ft | 170 | 70 | Wed 04-Nov 06:00 2026 |
The Corps page prints feet with no datum; this is one reading, not a feed.
USACE St. Louis District forecast page, report issued Wednesday, 04 November 2026 08:37 (one dated reading, not live; feet as printed, datum not printed; DSF = day-second-feet).
IDNR stocking rows from Bond County
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Governor Bond Lake | Largemouth Bass | 20,164 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Governor Bond Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 6,785 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake) | Channel Catfish | 639 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake) | Rainbow Trout | 1,154 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Governor Bond Lake | Largemouth Bass | 19,449 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Governor Bond Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 8,745 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake) | Rainbow Trout | 1,846 | Adult |
| 2024 | Governor Bond Lake | Largemouth Bass | 19,533 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Governor Bond Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 8,632 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake) | Channel Catfish | 376 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Governor Bond Lake | Largemouth Bass | 19,389 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Governor Bond Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 7,736 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Governor Bond Lake | Largemouth Bass | 2,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Governor Bond Lake | Largemouth Bass | 19,566 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Governor Bond Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 14,490 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake) | Channel Catfish | 628 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
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.
Daily and length rules covering Bond County
Site-specific entries override the statewide rows on the Bond County waters they name. Residents spend $15 on a year of fishing here, and anglers from away spend $31.50.
| 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 |
Where limits change in Bond County (4)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Carlyle Lake | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12) |
| Carlyle Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Carlyle Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 10 inch Minimum Length Limit; 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Governor Bond Lake | All Fish | All jugs must be attended at all times (3) |
| Governor Bond Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Governor Bond Lake | Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 17 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Governor Bond Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Patriot’s Park Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Patriot’s Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Patriot’s Park Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Patriot’s Park Lake | Trout | Fall Closed Season (7) |
| Pocahontas Park Ponds | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Pocahontas Park Ponds | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Pocahontas Park Ponds | Largemouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 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.
Illinois record fish tied to Bond County
No IDNR record names Bond County; these record waters are inside 70 miles.
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shortnose Gar | bow and arrow | 9 lbs 6.2 oz | Carlyle Lake | May 22, 2016 |
| Shortnose Gar | hook and line | 6 lbs 15.2 oz | Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) | May 27, 2018 |
| Redear Sunfish | hook and line | 3 lbs 1.1 oz | Beaver Lake (PRKFWA) | May 19, 2018 |
| Flathead Catfish | hook and line | 81 lbs 6.4 oz | Sangchris Lake | Aug. 26, 2015 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Weigh-in dates on Bond County water
Of 1 trail and school events in Bond County, 0 remain.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2, 2026 | King Kat Tournament Trail Carlyle Lake 2026 | Carlyle Lake | King Kat Tournament Trail |
Organizer schedule and results pages (IDNR publishes no tournament calendar), checked November 2026.
Borrowing a rod in Bond County
- Greenville Public Library414 W. Main Street, Greenville, (618) 664-3115
Borrowers sign out a rod and tackle at no cost at each site on the IDNR list.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Bait counters and guide outfits in Bond County
Tackle stores in Bond County
- Highland Lure & Bait Companybait and tackle shop, Keyesport
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.
A few miles of blacktop from Bond County
Towns in Bond County with a motel and a diner
- Greenvillepop. 7,083
Bordering counties of Bond County, with links
- Clinton County19 miles south
- Montgomery County24 miles north
- Fayette County24 miles east
- Madison County25 miles west
Piscifun tackle to load up before Bond County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Timber, cornfield and water around Bond County through a lens
Photo: nearly almost, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Denny Armstrong, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain
Photo: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
Replies on fishing within Bond County
How many IDNR-listed ramps are in Bond County?
IDNR data shows 3 launches, starting with Governor Bond Lake Boat Ramp South End.
Which Bond County water is the widest?
Carlyle Lake, at 24,580 acres by the IDNR listing.
Which fish do Bond County lakes hold, per IDNR?
Channel catfish tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, bluegill and redear sunfish.
Which Bond County stores carry fishing tackle?
1 shop, starting with Highland Lure & Bait Company.
Where are loaner rods in Bond County?
IDNR lists 1 loaner site here, starting with Greenville Public Library in Greenville.
Which Illinois town holds the Bond County county clerk?
Greenville is the seat.
Is a license required on Bond County lakes?
Residents spend $15 on a year of fishing here, and anglers from away spend $31.50.
Which counties surround Bond County?
The nearest county pages are Clinton County, Montgomery County and Fayette County.
Which trail events have used Bond County water?
Organizers posted 1 event for this county, and none is scheduled ahead yet.
Do any Bond County waters have site-specific rules?
The digest lists 4 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Carlyle Lake; the table above shows each.
What does the stocking table show for Bond County?
The IDNR table carries 16 rows; the newest lists 20,164 Largemouth Bass, Fingerling (1 – 3") (2026) in Governor Bond Lake.
Pick a lake or creek in Bond County
Open a lake for its ramps and site rules.