Fishing in Moultrie County, Illinois
County seat: Sullivan. Population 14,526.
- 3lake pages
- 14IDNR launches
- 1river pages
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Fishing Moultrie County by the numbers
The 2020 Census tallied 14,526 residents in Moultrie County, whose courthouse stands in Sullivan. On the IDNR IFishIllinois map, loaner sites here carry the IDNR fishing map's Central Illinois grouping.
Of the 3 paged lakes reaching the county, Lake Shelbyville is biggest. IDNR counts 14 public launches for the county across its map and 2019 inventory. The 2019 IDNR list shows 2 fishing piers inside the county. 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 Moultrie 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 Moultrie County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Shelbyville | 11,100 | 65 ft | lake | 16 | bluegill, black crappie, sauger |
| Woods Lake | 27 | lake | 4 | channel catfish, hybrid striped bass | |
| Wyman Lake | 5 | 7 ft | lake | 0 | channel catfish, rainbow trout, largemouth bass |
Lake guides inside Moultrie County are few, so the closest ones beyond its line are measured from Sullivan.
| Lake | From Sullivan | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opossum Pond | 13 miles southwest | 0 | 10 ft | pond | 0 | |
| Lake Paradise | 15 miles southeast | 138 | 16 ft | lake | 1 | channel catfish, white crappie, largemouth bass |
| Forest Park Lagoon | 16 miles southwest | 2 | lake | 0 | rainbow trout | |
| Lake Mattoon | 18 miles southeast | 988 | 31 ft | lake | 1 | saugeye, flathead catfish, freshwater drum |
| Coles County Airport Lake | 20 miles southeast | 20 | 7 ft | lake | 0 | channel catfish |
| Tuscola City Lake | 22 miles northeast | 12 ft | lake | 0 | 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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Bars show lake pages within 50 miles of Sullivan that list each fish; channel catfish 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 Moultrie County
- West Okaw River1 USGS gauge
Creeks of Moultrie County without a page (1)
- West Fork Kaskaskia Riverriver
River and creek levels in Moultrie County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Whitley Creek Near Allenville, Il | 0 cfs, 2.22 ft gage height | Nov 11 11:00 pm |
| West Okaw River Near Lovington, Il | 0 cfs, 2.02 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 Moultrie County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitley Creek near Allenville | 2.22 ft | 0 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| West Okaw River near Lovington | 2.08 ft | – | not defined | 2026-11-05 19:00:00 UTC |
| Kaskaskia River at Cooks Mills | 1.41 ft | 0.0144 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville | 536.5 ft | 0.082 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Lake Fork (E-IL) at Atwood | 3.24 ft | 0.0754 kcfs | not defined | 2026-11-05 18:15:00 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 Moultrie County
- Lake Shelbyville Bo Woods Boat RampLake Shelbyville, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Lake Shelbyville Strickland Boat Ramp on Woods LakeWoods Lake, concrete ramp
- Lake Shelbyville Whitley Creek Boat RampLake Shelbyville, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Lake Shelbyville Wilborn Creek Boat RampLake Shelbyville, IDNR note: Fee required to launch
- Denham Pit Kayak Launchwater not named, launch
- Dunn Water Foul Boat Rampwater not named, launch
- Eden Street Boat Ramp on Lake ShelbyvilleLake Shelbyville, launch
- Fishhook Marsh Boat Ramp on Woods LakeWoods Lake, launch
- Kaskaskia River Jonathan Creek Boat RampKaskaskia River, launch
- Lake Shelbyville Bethany Boat RampLake Shelbyville, launch
- Lake Shelbyville Coal Shaft Boat RampLake Shelbyville, launch
- Lake Shelbyville Findlay Marina Boat RampLake Shelbyville, launch
- Lake Shelbyville Sullivan Marina Boat RampLake Shelbyville, launch
- Woods Lake Boat RampWoods Lake, launch
2 launches of these launches name water that has no page here, so they appear only on this list.
Walk-in fishing in Moultrie County
- Bethany Boat Ramp Ada Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Shelbyville
- Elder Pond Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Shelbyville
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 Moultrie County
| Lake | Pool | Inflow (DSF) | Outflow (DSF) | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Shelbyville | 599.28 ft | 130 | 70 | 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 08:37 (one dated reading, not live; feet as printed, datum not printed; DSF = day-second-feet).
Stocking in Moultrie County
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Woods Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,400 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Wyman Lake | Channel Catfish | 400 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Wyman Lake | Rainbow Trout | 1,164 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Woods Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,400 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Woods Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 300 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Wyman Lake | Channel Catfish | 400 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Wyman Lake | Rainbow Trout | 1,796 | Adult |
| 2024 | Woods Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,440 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Woods Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 721 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Wyman Lake | Channel Catfish | 300 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Wyman Lake | Largemouth Bass | 16 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Woods Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,400 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Wyman Lake | Channel Catfish | 500 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Woods Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 1,575 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Wyman Lake | Channel Catfish | 500 | 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.
Digest limits as they apply in Moultrie County
Waters of Moultrie 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 Moultrie County (4)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Shelbyville | PARTS OF THE LAKE SHELBYVILLE STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA, EXCEPT SEE PROJECT PONDS) Recreational Use Restrictions During the regular waterfowl season, no bank or boat fishing shall be permitted on the Kaskaskia River from the Strickland Boat Access north to the Illinois Central Railroad Bridge fro | |
| Lake Shelbyville | All Fish | All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4) |
| Lake Shelbyville | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Lake Shelbyville | Pure Muskellunge | 48 inch Minimum Length Limit (10) |
| Lake Shelbyville | Striped Bass | 32 inch Minimum Length Limit; 2 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Shelbyville | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches and 5 Fish less than 10 inches |
| Lake Shelbyville Project Ponds | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12) |
| Lake Shelbyville Project Ponds | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Lake Shelbyville Project Ponds | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Lake Shelbyville Project Ponds | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Lake Shelbyville Project Ponds | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches and 5 Fish less than 10 inches |
| Woods Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Woods Lake | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 5 Fish greater than or equal to 8 inches |
| Woods Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Woods Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 14 inches and less than 18 inches; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 Fish greater than or equal to 18 inches and 2 Fish less than 14 inches |
| Woods Lake | Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass | Catch and Release Fishing Only (9) |
| Woods Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches and 5 Fish less than 10 inches |
| Wyman Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Wyman Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Wyman Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 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 weights from Moultrie County
The record list skips Moultrie County, so the closest record waters follow.
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldeye | hook and line | 2 lbs 1 oz | Embarras River | July 26, 1998 |
| Freshwater Drum | hook and line | 38 lbs 4 oz | Clinton Lake | May 24, 2018 |
| 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 |
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 Moultrie County
5 organizer events tie to Moultrie County water; 0 are still ahead.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 14, 2026 | SAF Illinois High School Fishing State Championship 2026 | Lake Shelbyville | Student Angler Federation (SAF) / Major League Fishing |
| June 5, 2026 | IHSA Bass Fishing State Final 2026 | Lake Shelbyville | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
| June 21, 2025 | Phoenix BFL Illini Division Lake Shelbyville (June) 2025 | Lake Shelbyville | Major League Fishing |
| June 6, 2025 | IHSA Bass Fishing State Final 2025 | Lake Shelbyville | Illinois High School Association (IHSA) |
| May 3, 2025 | Phoenix BFL Illini Division Lake Shelbyville (May) 2025 | Lake Shelbyville | Major League Fishing |
Organizer schedule and results pages (IDNR publishes no tournament calendar), checked November 2026.
IDNR tackle loaner sites in Moultrie County
- Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library2 W. Water Street, Sullivan, (217) 782-7221
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 Moultrie County anglers buy tackle
Moultrie County bait shops
- Findlay Marinamarina, Findlay
- Sullivan Marina & Campgroundmarina, Sullivan
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 Moultrie County
Main streets of Moultrie County near water
- Sullivanpop. 4,413
- Bethanypop. 1,255
- Lovingtonpop. 1,069
Counties around Moultrie County
- Shelby County20 miles southwest
- Coles County23 miles east
- Douglas County23 miles northeast
- Macon County24 miles northwest
Spinning reels from Piscifun matched to Moultrie County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Lakes and river bends close to Moultrie County, in pictures
Photo: Dan, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Denny Armstrong, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Dave Wright, CC BY 2.0
Photo: tofu nutloaf, CC BY-SA 2.0
Questions on Moultrie County ponds, lakes and rivers
Where does a johnboat hit the water across Moultrie County?
14 launches on the IDNR layers; Lake Shelbyville Bo Woods Boat Ramp is one.
Which lake is largest in Moultrie County?
Lake Shelbyville, at 11,100 acres by the IDNR listing.
What species do lake pages around Moultrie County list?
Channel catfish tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by bluegill, largemouth bass and rainbow trout.
Is any crawler-and-minnow store open in Moultrie County?
Findlay Marina heads a list of 2.
Is there free fishing gear to borrow in Moultrie County?
IDNR lists 1 loaner site here, starting with Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan.
Where are Moultrie County county offices?
The seat is Sullivan.
Which Illinois license does Moultrie County fishing call for?
An Illinois resident pays $15 for the annual sport fishing license, a nonresident $31.50.
Which counties border Moultrie County?
Shelby County, Coles County and Douglas County lie closest.
Which Moultrie County event comes up next on a trail schedule?
Organizers posted 5 events for this county, and none is scheduled ahead yet.
Does the digest list Moultrie County lakes separately?
The digest lists 4 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Lake Shelbyville; the table above shows each.
Has IDNR released fish into Moultrie County water?
The IDNR table carries 15 rows; the newest lists 2,400 Channel Catfish, NonVulnerable (8 – 10") (2026) in Woods Lake.
Spend a Saturday on the lakes of Moultrie County
Each launch page opens with a directions link.