Fishing in Washington County, Illinois
County seat: Nashville. Population 13,761.
- 2lake pages
- 3IDNR launches
- 1river pages
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Fishing Washington County, the Prairie State snapshot
Washington County counted 13,761 residents in 2020 and runs its county business from Nashville. 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; Washington County Lake covers the most water. County lines hold 3 public launches by IDNR's count. Shore anglers get 4 fishing piers from the 2019 IDNR asset inventory. IDNR stocking rows for county waters number 16 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 Washington County
IDNR IFishIllinois map launch points, IDNR asset inventory piers and IFishIllinois page points; read November 4, 2026.
Picking among the Washington County lakes
| Lake | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County Lake | 248 | lake | 2 | bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish | |
| Nashville City Reservoir | 30 | 22 ft | reservoir | 1 | channel catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass |
Measured from Nashville, these lake pages lie just past Washington County.
| Lake | From Nashville | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinckneyville City Lake | 17 miles south | 165 | lake | 1 | channel catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass | |
| Raccoon Lake | 20 miles northeast | 970 | 17 ft | lake | 1 | bluegill |
| Du Quoin City Lake | 21 miles southeast | 210 | 16 ft | lake | 1 | redear sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish |
| Galum Lake (Pyramid State Park) | 22 miles south | 10 | lake | 1 | bluegill, black crappie, redear sunfish | |
| Scaup Lake (Pyramid State Park) | 22 miles south | 30 | lake | 0 | ||
| East Lake (World Shooting Complex) | 22 miles southwest | lake | 1 | bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass |
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 Nashville, 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 Washington County
- Kaskaskia RiverIFishIllinois page, 10 IDNR-mapped ramps, 11 USGS gauges
Running water measured in Washington County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Kaskaskia River Near Venedy Station, Il | 96 cfs, 0.84 ft gage height | Nov 11 10:45 pm |
| Little Crooked Creek Near New Minden, Il | 1 cfs, 4.83 ft gage height | Nov 11 11:15 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.
NWS gauge readings near Washington County
| Gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaskaskia River at Carlyle | 5.51 ft | 0.0512 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Kaskaskia River below Carlyle Dam Tailwater | 412.38 ft | 0.235 kcfs | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
| Kaskaskia River above Carlyle Lake Dam (pool) | 444.79 ft | – | no flooding | 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 |
| Big Muddy River above Mount Vernon | 0.21 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 Washington County
- Washington County Lake Cove Boat RampWashington County Lake, launch
- Washington County Lake Main Boat RampWashington County Lake, launch
- Nashville City Reservoir Boat RampNashville City Reservoir, launch
Bank access across Washington County
- Washington County Fishing Pier (east)fishing pier, IDNR site: Washington County
- Washington County Fishing Pier (north)fishing pier, IDNR site: Washington County
- Washington County Fishing Pier (south)fishing pier, IDNR site: Washington County
- Washington County Fishing Pierfishing pier, IDNR site: Washington County
IDNR assets here add 2 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.
IDNR stockings across Washington County
| Year | Water | Species (as listed) | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Nashville City Reservoir | Channel Catfish | 250 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Washington County Lake | Channel Catfish | 2,828 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Washington County Lake | Largemouth Bass | 10,815 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Nashville City Reservoir | Channel Catfish | 250 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Washington County Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Washington County Lake | Largemouth Bass | 1,020 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Washington County Lake | Largemouth Bass | 4,639 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Nashville City Reservoir | Channel Catfish | 150 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2024 | Washington County Lake | Channel Catfish | 1,800 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2024 | Washington County Lake | Largemouth Bass | 6,000 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Nashville City Reservoir | Channel Catfish | 250 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Washington County Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Washington County Lake | Largemouth Bass | 5,780 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Nashville City Reservoir | Channel Catfish | 250 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2022 | Washington County Lake | Channel Catfish | 3,000 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2022 | Washington County Lake | Largemouth Bass | 5,560 | 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.
Statewide creel rows for Washington County anglers
The statewide table covers Washington 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 Washington County (3)
| Water | Species | Rule as printed (code numbers kept) |
|---|---|---|
| Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area – Doza Creek | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12) |
| Nashville City Reservoir | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Nashville City Reservoir | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Nashville City Reservoir | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Washington County Lake | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (5) |
| Washington County Lake | Channel Catfish | 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Washington County 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 |
| Washington County Lake | Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass | 17 inch Minimum Length Limit; 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 Washington County
Nearest record catches to Washington County, all within 70 miles, are below.
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redear Sunfish | hook and line | 3 lbs 1.1 oz | Beaver Lake (PRKFWA) | May 19, 2018 |
| Shortnose Gar | bow and arrow | 9 lbs 6.2 oz | Carlyle Lake | May 22, 2016 |
| Black Crappie | hook and line | 4 lbs 8 oz | Rend Lake | May 15, 1976 |
| Emerald Bowfin | hook and line | 16 lbs 6 oz | Rend Lake | Sept. 23, 1984 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Loaner rods at libraries and parks in Washington County
- Nashville Public Library219 E. Elm Street, Nashville, (618) 327-3827
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 Washington County
Buying bait in Washington County
- Simonton Bait Storebait and tackle shop, Nashville
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 Washington County shoreline
Home bases inside Washington County
- Nashvillepop. 3,105
- Okawvillepop. 1,369
Counties sharing a border with Washington County
- Clinton County17 miles north
- Perry County19 miles south
- Jefferson County27 miles east
- St. Clair County29 miles west
Piscifun picks ahead of a trip to Washington County
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Lakes and river bends close to Washington County, in pictures
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain
Photo: tofu nutloaf, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Aaron Lucas, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: nearly almost, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fishing around Washington County: the usual questions
How many IDNR boat launches sit inside Washington County?
There are 3 launches, such as Washington County Lake Cove Boat Ramp.
What is the biggest lake reaching into Washington County?
Washington County Lake, at 248 acres by the IDNR listing.
Which fish come up most on lakes near Washington 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 Washington County?
There are 1, Simonton Bait Store among them.
Which Washington County libraries lend fishing rods?
IDNR lists 1 loaner site here, starting with Nashville Public Library in Nashville.
Where do Washington County officials keep the courthouse?
It is Nashville.
Which license do I need for Washington 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 Washington County?
By distance: Clinton County, Perry County and Jefferson County.
Which Washington County waters carry their own limits?
The digest lists 3 site-specific entries for waters in or by this county, starting with Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area – Doza Creek; the table above shows each.
Does IDNR stock fish in Washington County?
The IDNR table carries 16 rows; the newest lists 10,815 Largemouth Bass, Fingerling (1 – 3") (2026) in Washington County Lake.
Hook up the trailer and head into Washington County
Read the site-specific rules before keeping fish.