Fishing in Franklin County, Illinois
County seat: Benton. Population 37,804.
- 6lake pages
- 18IDNR launches
- 1river pages
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Fishing Franklin County by the numbers
The 2020 Census tallied 37,804 residents in Franklin County, whose courthouse stands in Benton. On the IDNR IFishIllinois map, loaner sites here carry the IDNR fishing map's Southern Illinois grouping.
Of the 6 paged lakes reaching the county, Rend Lake is biggest. IDNR counts 18 public launches for the county across its map and 2019 inventory. Stocking trucks show up in 15 stocking rows of the 2021-2026 IDNR table for the county.
Census 2020 population; IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody pages and map; IDNR lands asset inventory (2019); IDNR stocking table; read November 4, 2026.
Where the Franklin County ramps and piers sit
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Lake pages filed under Franklin County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rend Lake | 18,900 | 35 ft | lake | 22 | white bass, largemouth bass, flathead catfish |
| West Frankfort New City Lake | 214 | lake | 1 | yellow bass, white crappie, bluegill | |
| West Frankfort Old City Lake | 147 | lake | 0 | channel catfish | |
| Sesser City Lake | lake | 1 | channel catfish, black crappie, redear sunfish | ||
| Christopher Old City Lake | lake | 1 | channel catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass | ||
| Buckner City Reservoir | 17 | reservoir | 1 | largemouth bass, channel catfish, 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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Bars show lake pages within 50 miles of Benton that list each fish; bluegill leads.
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.
Rivers winding across Franklin County
- Big Muddy River4 IDNR-mapped ramps, 3 USGS gauges
Creeks of Franklin County without a page (2)
- Green River (Franklin County)river
- Middle Fork Big Muddy Riverriver
River and creek levels in Franklin County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Big Muddy River Below Rend Lake Nr Benton, Il | 51 cfs, 7.60 ft gage height | Nov 11 11:00 pm |
| Big Muddy River At Plumfield, Il | 44 cfs, 2.46 ft gage height | Nov 11 11:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 11:33 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.
River stage readings around Franklin County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Muddy River at Rend Lake Pool | 403.54 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Big Muddy River at Plumfield | 2.53 ft | 0.048 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Casey Fork Subimpoundment near Bonnie | 11.24 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Big Muddy River Subimpoundment near Waltonville | 10.3 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Rayse Creek above Waltonville | 1.13 ft | 0 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
One timed reading per gauge, copied at build time.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Trailer ramps scattered over Franklin County
- Buckner City Reservoir Boat RampBuckner City Reservoir, IDNR note: gravel ramp, gravel parking
- Christopher Old City Lake Boat RampChristopher Old City Lake, IDNR note: Gravel ramp
- Rend Lake Campground Boat RampRend Lake, launch
- Rend Lake Dam West Boat RampRend Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Rend Lake Gun Creek North Boat RampRend Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Rend Lake Gun Creek South Boat RampRend Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Rend Lake Jackie Branch Boat RampRend Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Rend Lake North Marcum Boat RampRend Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Rend Lake North Sandusky Boat RampRend Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Rend Lake Resort Cove Boat Ramp 1Rend Lake, launch
- Rend Lake Resort Cove Boat Ramp 2Rend Lake, launch
- Rend Lake Resort Cove Boat Ramp 3Rend Lake, launch
- Rend Lake South Marcum Boat RampRend Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Rend Lake South Sandusky Boat RampRend Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Sesser City Lake Boat RampSesser City Lake, IDNR note: Gravel ramp, small gravel parking
- West Frankfort New City Lake Boat RampWest Frankfort New City Lake, IDNR note: Paved ramp, gravel parking
- Rend Lake Gun Creek West Boat RampRend Lake, launch
- Rend Lake Sailboat Harbor Boat RampRend Lake, launch
The 2019 IDNR inventory also counts 11 boat docks and 1 fish cleaning station in the county.
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.
Corps forecast-page pools in Franklin County
| Lake | Pool | Inflow (DSF) | Outflow (DSF) | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rend Lake | 403.58 ft | 140 | 30 | Wed 04-Nov 06:00 2026 |
A single St. Louis District reading per lake, as printed, with its date.
USACE St. Louis District forecast page, report issued Wednesday, 04 November 2026 08:19 (one dated reading, not live; feet as printed, datum not printed; DSF = day-second-feet).
Stocking in Franklin County
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Christopher Old City Lake | Channel Catfish | 400 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Christopher Old City Lake | Largemouth Bass | 1,377 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | West Frankfort New City Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,000 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Buckner City Reservoir | Channel Catfish | 200 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Sesser City Lake | Channel Catfish | 830 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Christopher Old City Lake | Channel Catfish | 400 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2024 | Christopher Old City Lake | Largemouth Bass | 1,200 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | West Frankfort New City Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,000 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2024 | West Frankfort Old City Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,000 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2023 | Buckner City Reservoir | Channel Catfish | 200 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Sesser City Lake | Channel Catfish | 400 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Christopher Old City Lake | Channel Catfish | 400 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Christopher Old City Lake | Largemouth Bass | 800 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | West Frankfort New City Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | West Frankfort Old City Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,000 | 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.
Digest limits as they apply in Franklin County
Waters of Franklin County follow the statewide rows below unless the digest lists them as a site-specific water. An Illinois resident pays $15 for the annual sport fishing license, a nonresident $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 |
Digest exceptions inside Franklin County (8)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Buckner City Reservoir | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Buckner City Reservoir | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Buckner City Reservoir | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Christopher Old City Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Christopher Old City Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Christopher Old City Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Rend Lake | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12) |
| Rend Lake | All Fish | All jugs must be attended at all times (3) |
| Rend Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Rend Lake | Striped, White, Yellow, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 20 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 3 Fish greater than or equal to 17 inches |
| Rend Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches |
| Rend Lake Project Ponds | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Rend Lake Project Ponds | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Rend Lake Project Ponds | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Rend Lake Project Ponds | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Rend Lake Tailwaters | All Fish Sport fishermen may not use a minnow seine, cast net, or shad scoop for bait collecting | |
| Sesser City Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Sesser City Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Sesser City Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| West Frankfort New City Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
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 weights from Franklin County
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Crappie | hook and line | 4 lbs 8 oz | Rend Lake | May 15, 1976 |
| Yellow Bass x White Perch | hook and line | 2 lbs 0.96 oz | Rend Lake | Nov. 3, 2008 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Bass trail and club days in Franklin County
8 organizer events tie to Franklin County water; 3 are still ahead.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 10, 2027 | Phoenix BFL Team/Solo Rend Lake (April 2027) | Rend Lake | Major League Fishing |
| June 26, 2027 | Phoenix BFL Team/Solo Rend Lake (June 2027) | Rend Lake | Major League Fishing |
| Aug. 14, 2027 | Phoenix BFL Team/Solo Rend Lake (August 2027) | Rend Lake | Major League Fishing |
| Sept. 26, 2026 | Phoenix BFL Illini Division Rend Lake Super Tournament 2026 | Rend Lake | Major League Fishing |
| April 11, 2026 | Phoenix BFL Illini Division Rend Lake (opener) 2026 | Rend Lake | Major League Fishing |
| July 19, 2025 | Phoenix BFL Illini Division Rend Lake (July) 2025 | Rend Lake | Major League Fishing |
| April 12, 2025 | Phoenix BFL Illini Division Rend Lake (opener) 2025 | Rend Lake | Major League Fishing |
| date not printed | Phoenix BFL Illini Division Rend Lake (fourth event) 2026 | Rend Lake | Major League Fishing |
Organizer schedule and results pages (IDNR publishes no tournament calendar), checked November 2026.
IDNR tackle loaner sites in Franklin County
- Benton Public Library502 S. Main Street, Benton, (618) 438-7511
- West Frankfort Public Library402 E. Popular Street, West Frankfort, (618) 932-3313
The IDNR tackle loaner program lends rods free of charge at these places.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Where Franklin County anglers buy tackle
Franklin County bait shops
- G & S Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Benton
- Rend Lake Fishing Guidesbait and tackle shop, Benton
Franklin County fishing guides
- Rend Lake Fishing Guidesfishing guide, Benton, (618) 472-4763
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.
Down the county road from Franklin County
Main streets of Franklin County near water
- West Frankfortpop. 7,275
- Bentonpop. 6,709
- Christopherpop. 2,697
- Sesserpop. 1,888
- Zeiglerpop. 1,484
- Royaltonpop. 1,068
Counties around Franklin County
- Williamson County18 miles south
- Jefferson County21 miles north
- Hamilton County22 miles east
- Perry County25 miles west
Spinning reels from Piscifun matched to Franklin County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
A photo field guide to Franklin County fish
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: kmitschke, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Questions on Franklin County ponds, lakes and rivers
Where does a johnboat hit the water across Franklin County?
18 launches on the IDNR layers; Buckner City Reservoir Boat Ramp is one.
Which lake is largest in Franklin County?
Rend Lake, at 18,900 acres by the IDNR listing.
What species do lake pages around Franklin County list?
Bluegill tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, channel catfish and redear sunfish.
Is any crawler-and-minnow store open in Franklin County?
G & S Bait and Tackle heads a list of 2.
Is there free fishing gear to borrow in Franklin County?
IDNR lists 2 loaner sites here, starting with Benton Public Library in Benton.
Where are Franklin County county offices?
The seat is Benton.
Which Illinois license does Franklin County fishing call for?
An Illinois resident pays $15 for the annual sport fishing license, a nonresident $31.50.
Which counties border Franklin County?
Williamson County, Jefferson County and Hamilton County lie closest.
Which Franklin County event comes up next on a trail schedule?
8 events on file; the next is Phoenix BFL Team/Solo Rend Lake (April 2027) on Rend Lake, April 10, 2027.
Does the digest list Franklin County lakes separately?
The digest lists 8 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Buckner City Reservoir; the table above shows each.
Has IDNR released fish into Franklin County water?
The IDNR table carries 15 rows; the newest lists 3,000 Channel Catfish, NonVulnerable (8 – 10") (2026) in West Frankfort New City Lake.
Which IDNR records trace to Franklin County?
Black Crappie, 4 lbs 8 oz, May 15, 1976 (hook and line), from Rend Lake.
Spend a Saturday on the lakes of Franklin County
Each launch page opens with a directions link.