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Kaskaskia River 19 mi
Photo: tofu nutloaf, CC BY-SA 2.0 
Mississippi River 189 mi
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0 
Big Muddy River 30 mi
Photo: Aaron Lucas, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Kinkaid Lake 21 mi
Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0
Illinois counties
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Fishing in Randolph County, Illinois
County seat: Chester. Population 30,163.
- 7lake pages
- 18IDNR launches
- 3river pages
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Fishing times todaySolunar periods, sunrise and moonrise for Randolph County, today and the next 7 days.Best fishing times today
Randolph County, Illinois
Randolph County fishing, quickly sorted
With 30,163 people at the 2020 count, Randolph County keeps its seat in Chester. The county's free-tackle sites belong to the IDNR fishing map's Southern Illinois grouping on the IDNR map. Mississippi River and Mississippi River, Open River counts as a border water in the digest.
7 IFishIllinois lakes here have a guide on this site, and Baldwin Lake is the widest of them. IDNR layers put 18 public launches within county lines. Bank fishing here includes 5 fishing piers on IDNR property. Since 2021 the IDNR table carries 56 stocking rows for waters here.
7lake pages
18IDNR launches
3river pages
56stocking rows
Census 2020 population; IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody pages and map; IDNR lands asset inventory (2019); IDNR stocking table; read November 4, 2026.
Map
Every mapped launch across Randolph County
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Lakes
Lakes in Randolph County
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin Lake | 2,018 | lake | 4 | blue catfish, flathead catfish, smallmouth bass | |
| East Lake (World Shooting Complex) | lake | 1 | bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass | ||
| Randolph County Lake | 65 | lake | 1 | channel catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass | |
| Sparta Reservoir (North) | 27 | reservoir | 1 | largemouth bass, redear sunfish, channel catfish | |
| Sparta Reservoir (South) | 25 | reservoir | 1 | channel catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass | |
| Derby Lake (World Shooting Complex) | lake | 1 | channel catfish, bluegill, rainbow trout | ||
| RV Lake (World Shooting Complex) | lake | 0 | 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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Fish IDNR rates near Randolph County
Lake guides out to 50 miles from Chester were tallied by species, with largemouth bass on top.
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
Streams that cross Randolph County
- Mississippi River15 pool pages, 58 IDNR-mapped ramps, 4 USGS gauges, shared with Iowa and Missouri
- Kaskaskia RiverIFishIllinois page, 10 IDNR-mapped ramps, 11 USGS gauges
- Mississippi River, Open Riverpool of the Mississippi River, IFishIllinois page, 6 IDNR-mapped ramps, 1 USGS gauge, shared with Iowa and Missouri
Rivers of Randolph County listed but not paged (2)
- Little Marys Riverriver
- Marys Riverriver
Stream gauges inside Randolph County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Chester, Il | 236,000 cfs, 15.20 ft gage height | Nov 11 9:00 pm |
| Kaskaskia River Near Red Bud, Il | 68.54 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:30 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.
River stages
Weather Service gauges around Randolph County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River at Chester | 8.12 ft | 140 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Mississippi River above Red Rock Landing | 11.6 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 19:00:00 UTC |
Readings above are dated snapshots; USGS gauges on river pages update live.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Access
Ramps you can back a trailer down in Randolph County
- Randolph County Lake Boat RampRandolph County Lake, launch
- Baldwin Lake Boat RampBaldwin Lake, launch
- Coulterville Reservoir Boat RampCoulterville Reservoir, launch
- Joe's Landing Boat Ramp on Baldwin LakeBaldwin Lake, launch
- Kaskaskia River Evansville Boat RampKaskaskia River, launch
- Kaskaskia River Lock and Dam Lower Boat RampKaskaskia River, launch
- Kaskaskia River Lock and Dam Upper Boat RampKaskaskia River, launch
- Kaskaskia River Phegley's Landing Boat RampKaskaskia River, launch
- Kaskaskia River White Swan Boat Ramp on Baldwin LakeBaldwin Lake, launch
- Kaskaskia River Wood Duck Boat Ramp on Baldwin LakeBaldwin Lake, launch
- Mississippi River – Open River Chester Boat RampMississippi River, Open River, launch
- Mississippi River – Open River Little Rock Ferry RampMississippi River, Open River, launch
- Mississippi River – Open River Mouth of Kaskaskia River Boat RampMississippi River, Open River, launch
- Sparta Reservoir (North) Boat RampSparta Reservoir (North), launch
- Sparta Reservoir (South) Boat RampSparta Reservoir (South), launch
- Sparta T Lake Boat RampSparta T Lake, launch
- World Shooting Complex – Derby Lake Boat RampDerby Lake (World Shooting Complex), launch
- World Shooting Complex – East Lake Boat RampEast Lake (World Shooting Complex), launch
This county list is the only home for 2 launches launches on unpaged water.
Fishing piers in Randolph County
- Randolph County Fishing Pier (east)fishing pier, IDNR site: Randolph County
- Randolph County Fishing Pier (west)fishing pier, IDNR site: Randolph County
- Randolph County Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Randolph County
- Randolph County Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Randolph County
- Randolph County Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Randolph County
Look for 4 boat docks on IDNR property here.
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.
Stocking
Where IDNR hatchery fish went in Randolph County
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Baldwin Lake | Largemouth Bass | 28,302 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Randolph County Lake | Channel Catfish | 503 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Randolph County Lake | Rainbow Trout | 2,723 | Adult |
| 2026 | Randolph County Lake | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 5,200 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Sparta Reservoir (North) | Channel Catfish | 250 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Sparta Reservoir (South) | Channel Catfish | 250 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Derby Lake (World Shooting Complex) | Channel Catfish | 107 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Derby Lake (World Shooting Complex) | Rainbow Trout | 925 | Adult |
| 2026 | Derby Lake (World Shooting Complex) | Rainbow Trout | 925 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Derby Lake (World Shooting Complex) | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 1,680 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | East Lake (World Shooting Complex) | Channel Catfish | 663 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Baldwin Lake | Largemouth Bass | 10,832 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Baldwin Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 20,117 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Randolph County Lake | Channel Catfish | 501 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Randolph County Lake | Rainbow Trout | 2,706 | Adult |
| 2025 | Randolph County Lake | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 6,762 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Sparta Reservoir (North) | Channel Catfish | 250 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Sparta Reservoir (South) | Channel Catfish | 250 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2025 | Derby Lake (World Shooting Complex) | Channel Catfish | 100 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Derby Lake (World Shooting Complex) | Rainbow Trout | 1,017 | Adult |
| 2025 | Derby Lake (World Shooting Complex) | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 2,898 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | East Lake (World Shooting Complex) | Channel Catfish | 660 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | RV Lake (World Shooting Complex) | Channel Catfish | 200 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Baldwin Lake | Black Crappie | 49,226 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Baldwin Lake | Largemouth Bass | 13,555 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Baldwin Lake | Redear Sunfish | 37,400 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Baldwin Lake | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 5,005 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Randolph County Lake | Channel Catfish | 300 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Randolph County Lake | Rainbow Trout | 2,710 | Adult |
| 2024 | Randolph County Lake | Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) | 4,720 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
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 nearby
Where Randolph County anglers drive for crawlers
- Frank's Real Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Gorham, 23 miles
- Dan & Neats Live Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Waterloo, 33 miles
- Simonton Bait Storebait and tackle shop, Nashville, 35 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Carbondalesporting goods store, Carbondale, 37 miles
- Obie's Tackle Cobait and tackle shop, Belleville, 42 miles
Yellow Pages, chain store and IDNR license vendor listings; straight-line miles from Chester.
Regulations
Keeping fish in Randolph County: the statewide rows
Statewide rows hold across Randolph County except on the waters the digest names. Plan on $15 for a resident annual or $31.50 for the nonresident version, per IDNR.
| 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 regulations touching Randolph County (13)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Baldwin Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5) |
| Baldwin Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Baldwin Lake | Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 17 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Baldwin Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 9 inch Minimum Length Limit; 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Coulterville Reservoir | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Coulterville Reservoir | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Coulterville Reservoir | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit CRAB ORCHARD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE-CRAB ORCHARD LAKE U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Williamson Recreational Use Restrictions West of Wolf Creek Road, fishing from boats is permitted all year. East of Wolf Creek Road, fishing from boats is |
| Coulterville Reservoir | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1). Sport fishermen shall be allowed to use trotlines, jugs, and by hand, except that sport fishermen may not submerge any pole or similar object to take or locate any fish and the use and aid of underwater breathing devices is prohibited. Trotlines and jugs must be rem |
| Coulterville Reservoir | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 16 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit CRAB ORCHARD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE-DEVIL’S KITCHEN LAKE U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Williamson |
| Coulterville Reservoir | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Coulterville Reservoir | Bluegill or Redear Sunfish | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area – Doza Creek | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12) |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Recreational Use Restrictions Spring Lake in Carroll County is closed to fishing during the 7 days prior to the regular duck season and during the regular duck and Canada goose season except in areas posted as open to fishing. All Fish While Trolling, sport fisherman must not use more than 2 poles a | |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Bluegill or Pumpkinseed Sunfish | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit, singly or in aggregate |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Northern Pike | 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Paddlefish | 33 inch (Eye to Fork) Maximum Length Limit (all Paddlefish greater than or equal to 33 inches must be immediately released back to the Mississippi River); 2 Fish Daily Harvest Limit. Snagging for Paddlefish is permitted from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset daily, March 1 t |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Rock Bass | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Striped, White, Yellow, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit; Statewide regulation limiting daily harvest to 3 Fish greater than or equal to 17 inches is not in effect on the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa |
| Mississippi River (Between IL & IA) | Walleye | 15 inch Minimum Length Limit; Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of Fish greater than or equal to 20 inches and less than 27 inches |
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.
Records
IDNR record lines that name Randolph County
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Catfish | bow and arrow | 31 lbs 14.4 oz | Kaskaskia River | May 30, 2019 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Loaner tackle
Free rod and reel loans in Randolph County
- Chester Public Library733 State Street, Chester, (618) 826-3711
- Steeleville Public Library625 S. Sparta Street, Steeleville, (618) 965-9732
These are the free-gear stops IDNR lists for the county.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Nearby
An Illinois blacktop jaunt from Randolph County
Towns in Randolph County
- Chesterpop. 6,814
- Spartapop. 4,095
- Red Budpop. 3,804
- Steelevillepop. 1,930
Neighbours of Randolph County
- Perry County25 miles east
- Monroe County25 miles northwest
- St. Clair County29 miles north
- Washington County30 miles northeast
Piscifun
Piscifun gear a Prairie State angler could stow for Randolph County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photos
The ponds and rivers around Randolph County, photographed
Photo: tofu nutloaf, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Aaron Lucas, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0
Answers
The lakes and creeks of Randolph County, asked and answered
Which Randolph County launches are on the IDNR fishing map?
18 launches by IDNR's count, including Randolph County Lake Boat Ramp.
Which Randolph County water gives the most acres to roam?
Baldwin Lake, at 2,018 acres by the IDNR listing.
Which species top the IDNR lists around Randolph County?
Largemouth bass tops the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by bluegill, channel catfish and redear sunfish.
Where can I replace lost jigs in Randolph County?
Zero inside; see the list of shops nearby.
Can I borrow a rod for free in Randolph County?
IDNR lists 2 loaner sites here, starting with Chester Public Library in Chester.
Which Illinois town keeps the Randolph County courthouse doors open?
County offices are in Chester.
Which IDNR license covers a Randolph County trip?
Plan on $15 for a resident annual or $31.50 for the nonresident version, per IDNR.
Which counties touch Randolph County?
Start with Perry County, Monroe County and St. Clair County.
Which Randolph County lakes have digest exceptions?
The digest lists 13 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Baldwin Lake; the table above shows each.
Which Randolph County lakes show up in the stocking table?
The IDNR table carries 56 rows; the newest lists 28,302 Largemouth Bass, Fingerling (1 – 3") (2026) in Baldwin Lake.
Has Randolph County put a fish in the record book?
Blue Catfish, 31 lbs 14.4 oz, May 30, 2019 (bow and arrow), from Kaskaskia River.
Cast the ponds and rivers across Randolph County
Every lake page lists its IDNR survey ratings.