Fishing in Fayette County, Illinois
County seat: Vandalia. Population 21,488.
- 3lake pages
- 7IDNR launches
- 2river pages
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The basics of fishing Fayette County
Vandalia serves as seat of Fayette County, a county of 21,488 people by the 2020 Census. Its tackle loaner sites sit in the IDNR fishing map's Southern Illinois grouping on the IDNR IFishIllinois map.
Carlyle Lake leads the 3 lake guides inside the county by surface acres. Trailer anglers can pick from 7 public launches on the IDNR layers. The IDNR stocking table lists 6 stocking rows for waters in the county from 2021 to 2026.
Census 2020 population; IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody pages and map; IDNR lands asset inventory (2019); IDNR stocking table; read November 4, 2026.
Pin map of the fishing spots in Fayette County
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Lakes and reservoirs inside Fayette County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlyle Lake | 24,580 | 35 ft | lake | 14 | sauger, bluegill, largemouth bass |
| Vandalia Lake | 646 | 41 ft | lake | 1 | channel catfish, bluegill, flathead catfish |
| Ramsey Lake (RLSP) | 46 | 22 ft | lake | 1 | black crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish |
The shortest drives from Vandalia to lake guides beyond Fayette County follow.
| Lake | From Vandalia | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor Bond Lake | 15 miles west | 775 | lake | 2 | hybrid striped bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish | |
| Coffeen Lake | 17 miles west | 1,102 | 58 ft | lake | 2 | largemouth bass, flathead catfish, redear sunfish |
| Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake) | 19 miles west | 25 | lake | 1 | channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill | |
| Kinmundy Reservoir | 19 miles southeast | 107 | 26 ft | reservoir | 2 | channel catfish |
| Hillsboro Old City Lake | 24 miles northwest | 100 | lake | 1 | largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish | |
| Lake Glenn Shoals | 24 miles northwest | 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.
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Inside 50 miles of Vandalia, channel catfish appears on more lake pages than any other fish.
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.
River pages filed under Fayette County
- Kaskaskia RiverIFishIllinois page, 10 IDNR-mapped ramps, 11 USGS gauges
- East Fork Kaskaskia River1 USGS gauge
Fayette County streams shown only here (2)
- North Fork East Fork Kaskaskia Riverriver
- South Fork Kaskaskia Riverriver
USGS stations streaming data from Fayette County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Kaskaskia River At Vandalia, Il | 77 cfs, 2.90 ft gage height | Nov 11 9:00 pm |
| Hurricane Creek Near Mulberry Grove, Il | 3 cfs, 3.72 ft gage height | Nov 11 9:00 pm |
| Hickory Creek Near Brownstown, Il | 0 cfs, 3.84 ft gage height | Nov 11 9:00 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.
Stage and flow notes near Fayette 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 near Cowden | 2.41 ft | 0.0761 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
The Weather Service values show the time they were taken and do not refresh.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Public launches inside Fayette County
- Kaskaskia River Cox Bridge Boat Ramp on Carlyle LakeCarlyle Lake, gravel ramp
- Ramsey Lake Boat RampRamsey Lake (RLSP), concrete ramp
- Vandalia Lake Marina Boat RampVandalia Lake, IDNR note: City boat permit required to launch/boat on lake
- Hitogi Boat Rampwater not named, gravel ramp
- Kaskaskia River Vandalia E. Edwards St. Boat RampKaskaskia River, launch
- Lake Nellie Northwest Boat RampNellie, Lake, IDNR note: City boat sticker required to launch/boat on lake
- Tower Lake Boat RampTower Lake, IDNR note: City boat sticker required to launch/boat on lake
3 launches ramps serve water that is listed here rather than paged.
The asset list adds 3 boat docks.
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.
St. Louis District pool figures for Fayette County
| Lake | Pool | Inflow (DSF) | Outflow (DSF) | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlyle Lake | 444.82 ft | 170 | 70 | Wed 04-Nov 06:00 2026 |
Treat each number as a dated Corps reading, not a live level; the page gives no datum.
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).
Stocking table rows for Fayette County waters
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Ramsey Lake (RLSP) | Channel Catfish | 1,411 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Vandalia Lake | Largemouth Bass | 7,182 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Ramsey Lake (RLSP) | Channel Catfish | 840 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2024 | Vandalia Lake | Largemouth Bass | 69,120 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Ramsey Lake (RLSP) | Channel Catfish | 1,400 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2022 | Ramsey Lake (RLSP) | Channel Catfish | 1,400 | 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.
Bait just over the Fayette County border
- Highland Lure & Bait Companybait and tackle shop, Keyesport, 19 miles
- Tradewinds Marinamarina, Keyesport, 19 miles
- Boulder Access Marinamarina, Shattuc, 20 miles
- Lake Glenn Shoals Marina Landingmarina, Hillsboro, 24 miles
- J & J Marinamarina, Effingham, 28 miles
Yellow Pages, chain store and IDNR license vendor listings; straight-line miles from Vandalia.
The 2026 digest rows for Fayette County water
A Fayette County water without a digest entry uses these statewide limits. IDNR sells the yearly fishing license for $15 (resident) and $31.50 (nonresident).
| 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 |
Fayette County waters carrying digest exceptions (7)
| 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 |
| Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area – Doza Creek | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12) |
| Lake Nellie | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5) |
| Lake Nellie | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Nellie | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Ramsey Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Ramsey Lake | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Ramsey Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Ramsey Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Ramsey Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Ramsey Lake State Recreational Area Ponds | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Ramsey Lake State Recreational Area Ponds | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Ramsey Lake State Recreational Area Ponds | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Tower Lake/St. Elmo South Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Tower Lake/St. Elmo South Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Tower Lake/St. Elmo South Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Vandalia Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Vandalia Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 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.
The heaviest Illinois fish near Fayette County
IDNR lists no record from Fayette County, so the record waters within 70 miles are shown.
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shortnose Gar | bow and arrow | 9 lbs 6.2 oz | Carlyle Lake | May 22, 2016 |
| Flathead Catfish | hook and line | 81 lbs 6.4 oz | Sangchris Lake | Aug. 26, 2015 |
| Striped Bass | hook and line | 31 lbs 7 oz | Sangchris Lake | May 23, 1994 |
| Freshwater Drum | bow and arrow | 20 lbs 4 oz | Sangchris Lake | Feb. 20, 2023 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Tournament launches in Fayette County
Organizers list 1 event on Fayette County water, with 0 still coming.
| 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.
Free loaner tackle in Fayette County
- Ramsey Public Library401 S. Superior Street, Ramsey, (618) 423-2019
IDNR runs these as free rod and reel loans, mostly at libraries, parks and offices.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Inside a cornfield drive of Fayette County
Town fishing pages across Fayette County
- Vandaliapop. 7,458
- St. Elmopop. 1,254
Counties bordering Fayette County
- Effingham County23 miles east
- Bond County24 miles west
- Marion County25 miles south
- Shelby County29 miles northeast
A Piscifun reel lineup for a day on Fayette County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Fish to recognise on sight at Fayette County
Photo: Eden, Janine and Jim, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Public domain
What anglers want to know about Fayette County water
Does Fayette County have a public ramp on the IDNR map?
IDNR lists 7 launches; one is Kaskaskia River Cox Bridge Boat Ramp on Carlyle Lake.
Which impoundment in Fayette County covers the most ground?
Carlyle Lake, at 24,580 acres by the IDNR listing.
What swims in the lakes near Fayette County?
Channel catfish tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by bluegill, largemouth bass and flathead catfish.
Where does a Fayette County angler buy crawlers and minnows?
Crawlers and minnows come from stores across the line.
Does Fayette County have an IDNR tackle loaner site?
IDNR lists 1 loaner site here, starting with Ramsey Public Library in Ramsey.
Which town runs Fayette County county business?
County government sits in Vandalia.
How much does a nonresident pay to fish in Fayette County?
IDNR sells the yearly fishing license for $15 (resident) and $31.50 (nonresident).
Which counties lie a short drive past Fayette County?
Closest by centre point: Effingham County, Bond County and Marion County.
How many trail events list Fayette County water?
Organizers posted 1 event for this county, and none is scheduled ahead yet.
Which site-specific entries reach Fayette County?
The digest lists 7 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Carlyle Lake; the table above shows each.
Are Fayette County lakes stocked?
The IDNR table carries 6 rows; the newest lists 7,182 Largemouth Bass, Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") (2025) in Vandalia Lake.
Give Fayette County water a whole weekend
Lake pages carry launches, IDNR ratings and digest rules.