Baldwin Lake Fishing
2,018 acres on the IFishIllinois page, a lake of Randolph County.
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First Illinois notes on Baldwin Lake
IDNR lists Baldwin Lake at 2,018 acres, a lake lying in Randolph County. From the IDNR pin it is around 2 miles to Baldwin.
4 boat ramps show on the IDNR boat ramp layer here. Read its digest entry before you keep fish.
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. IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
What IDNR says about Baldwin Lake
- Location (IDNR)Baldwin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is located in Randolph and St. Clair Counties approximately 2 miles north of Baldwin off of State Route 154.
- Description (IDNR)Perched cooling lake impounding 2,018 surface acres of water with approximately 75% of shoreline comprised of rock rip-rap. Two lane concrete boat ramp and fully blacktopped car/trailer parking lot available. Shore angler access is located on the west and north sides of lake. There are no concessions available at the lake.
What IDNR says is available at Baldwin Lake
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessYes
- Boat FishingYes – 50 hp motor limit
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingNo
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
We copied the Baldwin Lake entry from IFishIllinois without edits.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
How IDNR rates the fishing at Baldwin Lake
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Catfish | Excellent | The numbers and quality of the Blue Catfish population is very good. Sampled Blue Catfish ranged in size from 25 to 35 inches with the largest fish over 20 lbs. Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) Developing Hybrid… |
| Flathead Catfish | Very Good | The numbers and quality of Flathead Catfish remain very good. Flathead Catfish collected were between 29 and 35 inches. |
| Smallmouth Bass | Poor | No Smallmouth Bass were collected in the 2017 survey. Smallmouth Bass are still being stocked and IDNR has had several reports of catches by anglers. |
| Channel Catfish | Average | Channel Catfish numbers remain high with catfish collected in this survey ranging between 6 and 14 inches and in poor condition. |
| Bluegill | Good | Bluegill numbers are good and the size quality is better than the previous survey with a good number of fish reaching 7 inches (RSD7 of 17). Largemouth Bass Improving Largemouth Bass numbers are finally coming back from… |
| Redear Sunfish | Good | Recently stocked Redear Sunfish seem to be developing well and a good number of quality-sized fish were collected in the 2017 survey. |
IDNR rates blue catfish at Baldwin Lake as excellent, the top mark in its outlook here.
Species for Baldwin Lake come only from IDNR pages and tables.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
For the blue catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Survey history at Baldwin Lake
- IDNRBaldwin Lake is starting to recover from the major fish kill in 2011. Stocking efforts have been focused on developing quality populations of Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Redear Sunfish, and Smallmouth Bass. Hybrid Striped Bass have also been requested for future stocking. They have done well in this lake in the past and should provide a good angling opportunity. Currently this lake offers opportunities for …
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Backing a trailer into Baldwin Lake
- Baldwin Lake Boat Ramplaunch
- Joe's Landing Boat Ramp on Baldwin Lakelaunch
- Kaskaskia River White Swan Boat Ramp on Baldwin Lakelaunch
- Kaskaskia River Wood Duck Boat Ramp on Baldwin Lakelaunch
Ramps to know near Baldwin Lake
- Teal Lake Boat Ramp on Willow Lake (PRKFWA)Willow Lake (PRKFWA), 7 miles north
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Courtesy docks and cleaning houses around Baldwin Lake
- Woodduck Marina Boat Dockboat dock, near Baldwin Lake
- Baldwin Lake Boat Dockboat dock, near Baldwin Lake
The IDNR asset inventory of 2019 places these structures at Baldwin Lake; check on site before counting on them.
IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
Contour maps published for Baldwin Lake
- Baldwin Lake – PowerplantIDNR depth map
- Baldwin Lake – Ramp NorthIDNR depth map
- Baldwin LakeIDNR depth map
IDNR has drawn 3 depth maps of Baldwin Lake; the waterbody page carries them.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
What IDNR put into Baldwin Lake
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Largemouth Bass | 28,302 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Largemouth Bass | 10,832 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 20,117 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Black Crappie | 49,226 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Largemouth Bass | 13,555 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Redear Sunfish | 37,400 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 5,005 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Black Crappie | 22,355 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Black Crappie | 5,464 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 20,448 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Redear Sunfish | 50,000 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Black Crappie | 36,209 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
These Baldwin Lake lines are from the IFishIllinois stocking table.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
The rules on keeping fish at Baldwin Lake
| Species group | Daily limit | Statewide 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 |
Unless the digest names Baldwin Lake for a species, the statewide row decides.
Local rules at Baldwin Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
- Code 1Sport fishermen must not use more than 2 poles and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached (Alabama rigs not allowed) while fishing, except that legal size cast nets (in accordance with Section 810.50(a)(2)), shad scoops, and minnow …
- Code 5Sport fishermen may take carp, carpsuckers, buffalo, gar, bowfin and suckers by pitchfork, gigs, bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices.
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 16, read November 4, 2026.
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. IDNR license fees (ifishillinois.org), read November 4, 2026.
Illinois record fish pulled from Baldwin Lake
| Species | Weight | Division | Date | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | 45 lbs 4 oz | hook and line | February 7, 1987 | St. Clair |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Baldwin Lake next to the lakes around it
The biggest neighbour here is Eagle Lake (PRKFWA), listed at 101 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin Lake | 2,018 | 4 | Blue Catfish | ||
| Derby Lake (World Shooting Complex) | 6 miles east | not printed | 1 | Channel Catfish | |
| Willow Lake (PRKFWA) | 8 miles north | 7.0 | 2 | ||
| RV Lake (World Shooting Complex) | 8 miles east | not printed | 0 | Bluegill | |
| Eagle Lake (PRKFWA) | 8 miles north | 101 | 0 | Muskellunge | |
| East Lake (World Shooting Complex) | 8 miles east | not printed | 1 | Bluegill |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Down the county road from Baldwin Lake
More Illinois lakes within reach of Baldwin Lake
- Derby Lake (World Shooting Complex)6 miles east
- Willow Lake (PRKFWA)8 miles north
- RV Lake (World Shooting Complex)8 miles east
- Eagle Lake (PRKFWA)8 miles north
- East Lake (World Shooting Complex)8 miles east
Tackle stops within a short drive of Baldwin Lake
- Dan & Neats Live Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Waterloo, 18 miles
- Obie's Tackle Cobait and tackle shop, Belleville, 22 miles
Borrowing a rod near Baldwin Lake
- Smithton LibrarySmithton, 15 miles
- Steeleville Public LibrarySteeleville, 18 miles
- Mascoutah Public LibraryMascoutah, 19 miles
- Chester Public LibraryChester, 21 miles
Beds and breakfasts for a run to Baldwin Lake
- Marissa6 miles
- New Athens7 miles
- Red Bud8 miles
Courthouse-county pages reaching Baldwin Lake
- Randolph Countyseat: Chester
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Spinning reels from Piscifun matched to Baldwin Lake
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Lakes and river bends close to Baldwin Lake, in pictures
Photo: nearly almost, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: tofu nutloaf, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: nearly almost, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0
What gets asked about Baldwin Lake around Illinois
Is Baldwin Lake upstate, central or down in Little Egypt?
Baldwin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is located in Randolph and St. Clair Counties approximately 2 miles north of Baldwin off of State Route 154. Search Randolph County, about 2 miles from Baldwin.
What acre figure does IFishIllinois print for Baldwin Lake?
2,018 acres, per IDNR.
Which launches on the IDNR map serve Baldwin Lake?
IDNR plots 4 boat ramps; start at Baldwin Lake Boat Ramp.
How does IDNR grade the bass at Baldwin Lake?
First in the IDNR outlook: blue catfish, excellent; also present per IDNR are flathead catfish, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill and redear sunfish.
Does a digest length rule cover Baldwin Lake?
Statewide digest row for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass: Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. The same row adds a separate rule for rivers and streams, quoted in the limits band. A digest line for this water changes part of that; see the limits band.
Which IDNR paperwork comes before a day at Baldwin Lake?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Where do shore anglers go at Baldwin Lake?
No pier is inventoried; the IDNR page notes Family Friendly No; Handicap Access Yes.
Where are crawlers sold on the way to Baldwin Lake?
Nearest in our shop file: Dan & Neats Live Bait & Tackle, about 18 miles away,.
Is there an Illinois record from Baldwin Lake?
Channel Catfish at 45 lbs 4 oz (hook and line division, February 7, 1987) is the heaviest entry IDNR lists for Baldwin Lake; IDNR prints no angler names.
Save a Saturday for Baldwin Lake
Buy the Illinois license online before you leave.