Fishing in Jefferson County, Illinois
County seat: Mount Vernon. Population 37,113.
- 2lake pages
- 24IDNR launches
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Fishing Jefferson County, the Prairie State snapshot
Jefferson County counted 37,113 residents in 2020 and runs its county business from Mount Vernon. IDNR's map labels the loaner sites in this county with the IDNR fishing map's Southern Illinois grouping.
The county has 2 lake guides; Rend Lake covers the most water. County lines hold 24 public launches by IDNR's count. IDNR stocking rows for county waters number 4 stocking rows across 2021-2026.
Census 2020 population; IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody pages and map; IDNR lands asset inventory (2019); IDNR stocking table; read November 4, 2026.
Lake pins and launch pins for Jefferson County
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Picking among the Jefferson County lakes
| 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 |
| Mt. Vernon G.F. Pond | 2 | pond | 0 | bluegill, rainbow trout, channel catfish |
Measured from Mount Vernon, these lake pages lie just past Jefferson County.
| Lake | From Mount Vernon | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ten Mile Creek SFWA Lakes | 11 miles southeast | lake | 0 | channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill | ||
| Lake Centralia | 17 miles north | 254 | 23 ft | lake | 1 | bluegill, largemouth bass, redear sunfish |
| Sesser City Lake | 18 miles south | lake | 1 | channel catfish, black crappie, redear sunfish | ||
| Raccoon Lake | 18 miles northwest | 970 | 17 ft | lake | 1 | bluegill |
| Du Quoin City Lake | 23 miles southwest | 210 | 16 ft | lake | 1 | redear sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish |
| Washington County Lake | 23 miles west | 248 | lake | 2 | bluegill, largemouth bass, channel 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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Out to 50 miles from Mount Vernon, the lake pages name bluegill most often.
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 and creeks through Jefferson County
Running water measured in Jefferson County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Casey Fork At Mount Vernon, Il | 3 cfs, 1.70 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:00 am |
| Rayse Creek Near Waltonville, Il | 0 cfs, 1.03 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 12:34 am 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.
NWS gauge readings near Jefferson County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casey Fork above Mount Vernon | 1.6 ft | 0.003 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Big Muddy River above Mount Vernon | 0.21 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 |
| 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 |
Each line is one dated reading taken when this page was built, not a live feed.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Boat ramps in Jefferson County
- Rend Lake Ina Boat RampRend Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Rend Lake Turnip Patch Boat RampRend Lake, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Jaycee Lake Boat RampJaycee Lake, IDNR note: City boat sticker required to launch/boat on lake
- Rend Lake Bluegill Hole Boat RampRend Lake, launch
- Rend Lake Bonnie Dam Boat RampRend Lake, launch
- Rend Lake Bonnie South Boat RampRend Lake, launch
- Rend Lake Nason North Boat RampRend Lake, launch
- Rend Lake Nason South Boat RampRend Lake, launch
- Rend Lake Waltonville Boat RampRend Lake, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Belle – Lake 001 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Belle – Lake 001, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Belle – Lake 002 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Belle – Lake 002, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Belle – Lake 005, 006 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Belle – Lake 005, 006, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Eads – Lake 100 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Eads – Lake 100, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Eads – Lake 102 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Eads – Lake 102, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Eads – Lake 103 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Eads – Lake 103, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Eads – Lake 110 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Eads – Lake 110, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Eads – Lake 111 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Eads – Lake 111, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Eads – Lake 114, 115 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Eads – Lake 114, 115, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Eads – Lake 117 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Eads – Lake 117, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Eads – Lake 119 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Eads – Lake 119, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Eads – Lake 120 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Eads – Lake 120, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Eads – Lakes 101, 104, 118 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Eads – Lakes 101, 104, 118, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Eads – Pond 112 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Eads – Pond 112, launch
- Ten Mile Creek Eads – Pond 113 Boat RampTen Mile Creek Eads – Pond 113, launch
16 launches listed launches sit on water without its own guide on this site.
IDNR assets here add 8 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.
Pool elevation notes for Jefferson County lakes
| Lake | Pool | Inflow (DSF) | Outflow (DSF) | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rend Lake | 403.58 ft | 140 | 30 | Wed 04-Nov 06:00 2026 |
Dated Corps forecast-page pools; check the Corps page for the current figure.
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).
IDNR stockings across Jefferson County
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Mt. Vernon G.F. Pond | Bluegill | 2,564 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Mt. Vernon G.F. Pond | Rainbow Trout | 230 | Adult |
| 2024 | Mt. Vernon G.F. Pond | Channel Catfish | 60 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2022 | Mt. Vernon G.F. Pond | Channel Catfish | 100 | 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.
Statewide creel rows for Jefferson County anglers
The statewide table covers Jefferson County; any water with its own digest entry is listed after it. The 2026 IDNR fee list puts the annual license at $15 for Illinoisans and $31.50 for out-of-staters.
| 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 |
Exceptions to statewide limits in Jefferson County (5)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Mt. Vernon City Park Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5) |
| Mt. Vernon City Park Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mt. Vernon City Park Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mt. Vernon Game Farm Pond | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Mt. Vernon Game Farm Pond | Trout | Fall Closed Season (7), Spring Closed Season (8) |
| 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 |
| Ten Mile Creek Lakes | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (Areas designated as waterfowl rest areas are closed to all access during the Canada goose season only) |
| Ten Mile Creek Lakes | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5) |
| Ten Mile Creek Lakes | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Ten Mile Creek Lakes | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 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.
State record catches near Jefferson County
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Bowfin | hook and line | 16 lbs 6 oz | Rend Lake | Sept. 23, 1984 |
| Emerald Bowfin | bow and arrow | 14 lbs 1.1 oz | Bluford Lake | May 21, 2021 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Competitive fishing on Jefferson County lakes
Published schedules and results put Jefferson County in 8 events, 3 upcoming.
| 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.
Loaner rods at libraries and parks in Jefferson County
- Centralia Public Library515 E. Broadway, Centralia, (618) 532-5222
Each site lends fishing gear for free through the IDNR loaner program.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Tackle counters across Jefferson County
Buying bait in Jefferson County
- Rend Lake Sporting Goodsbait and tackle shop, Mount Vernon
Guide services around Jefferson County
- 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.
Around the Jefferson County shoreline
Home bases inside Jefferson County
- Mount Vernonpop. 14,600
- Inapop. 1,641
Counties sharing a border with Jefferson County
- Franklin County21 miles south
- Marion County24 miles north
- Hamilton County26 miles southeast
- Washington County27 miles west
Piscifun picks ahead of a trip to Jefferson County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Fish to recognise on sight at Jefferson 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
Fishing around Jefferson County: the usual questions
How many IDNR boat launches sit inside Jefferson County?
There are 24 launches, such as Rend Lake Ina Boat Ramp.
What is the biggest lake reaching into Jefferson County?
Rend Lake, at 18,900 acres by the IDNR listing.
Which fish come up most on lakes near Jefferson County?
Bluegill tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, channel catfish and redear sunfish.
Where can I pick up live bait in Jefferson County?
There are 1, Rend Lake Sporting Goods among them.
Which Jefferson County libraries lend fishing rods?
IDNR lists 1 loaner site here, starting with Centralia Public Library in Centralia.
Where do Jefferson County officials keep the courthouse?
It is Mount Vernon.
Which license do I need for Jefferson County water?
The 2026 IDNR fee list puts the annual license at $15 for Illinoisans and $31.50 for out-of-staters.
Which county guides lie next to Jefferson County?
By distance: Franklin County, Marion County and Hamilton County.
Do bass trails weigh in on Jefferson County water?
8 events on file; the next is Phoenix BFL Team/Solo Rend Lake (April 2027) on Rend Lake, April 10, 2027.
Which Jefferson County waters carry their own limits?
The digest lists 5 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Mt. Vernon City Park Lake; the table above shows each.
Does IDNR stock fish in Jefferson County?
The IDNR table carries 4 rows; the newest lists 2,564 Bluegill, Fingerling (1 – 3") (2026) in Mt. Vernon G.F. Pond.
Does any Jefferson County water hold a state record?
Emerald Bowfin, 16 lbs 6 oz, September 23, 1984 (hook and line), from Rend Lake.
Hook up the trailer and head into Jefferson County
Read the site-specific rules before keeping fish.