Carlyle Lake Fishing
Bond, Clinton and Fayette counties holds this 24,580-acre IDNR-listed lake.
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Carlyle Lake, the Prairie State snapshot
With 24,580 acres on the IDNR listing, Carlyle Lake is a lake in Bond, Clinton and Fayette counties. The deepest spot IDNR mentions is 35 feet. Keyesport is the nearest Census place, roughly 3 miles from the IDNR map point.
You can put in at 14 boat ramps on the IDNR map. IDNR assets here include 3 fishing piers. The digest prints site-specific rules for it. The Corps posts pool, inflow and outflow for it.
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.
Amenities IDNR lists at Carlyle Lake
- Location (IDNR)Carlyle Lake is located in southwestern Illinois, 50 miles east of St. Louis, principally in Clinton County, with Carlyle being the largest city bordering the water.
- Description (IDNR)Carlyle Lake was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1967 and was formed by damming the Kaskaskia River, the same stream that is the main tributary to Lake Shelbyville, upstream to the north. This lake has a maximum depth 35 feet and an average depth 11 feet.
- More from IDNRIf you enjoy catching catfish, mammoth Carlyle Lake, the largest man-made lake in the state, could be your Utopia. The 24,580-acre lake very well might be the finest Channel Catfish fishery in Illinois, and they are eagerly sought by pole-and-line fishermen and trotliners alike. Virtually rectangular shaped, the lake is about 15 miles long and 2 to 3 miles wide. It is shallow, averaging about 11 feet in depth …
The IDNR amenity list for Carlyle Lake
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessYes
- Boat FishingYes – Unrestricted
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingYes
- SwimmingYes
- Trout StockingNo
This band carries the IFishIllinois text on Carlyle Lake word for word.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
For the catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 The IDNR outlook for Carlyle Lake
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Sauger | Fair | The Sauger catch rate during the 2025 survey was approximately one fish per hour, which is consistent with the numbers collected in the past 10 years of surveys. The largest sauger collected was 18.9 inches and weighed… |
| Bluegill | Fair | The Bluegill population in Carlyle Lake remains fair. Catch rates during the 2025 survey were 71 fish per hour of electrofishing compared to 76 fish per hour in 2024. 34 percent of the catchable sized Bluegill collected… |
| Largemouth Bass | Fair | The Largemouth Bass population in Carlyle Lake remains fair. We collected 20 Largemouth Bass per hour during the 2025 electrofishing survey, which is up slightly from the 17 per hour collected in the 2024 survey. 39… |
| Crappie spp. | Very Good | The crappie population in Carlyle Lake remains very good to excellent. The combined catch rate of White and Black crappie in our 2025 electrofishing survey was 26 fish per hour. These numbers are fairly consistent with… |
| Flathead Catfish | Fair | The Flathead Catfish population is very consistent in Carlyle Lake. We collected 4 Flathead Catfish per hour in 2025 which is very similar to the numbers collected in the past 10 years of surveys. Lengths ranged from… |
| Channel Catfish | Excellent | The Channel Catfish population is very consistent in Carlyle Lake. Although catfish do not appear in high numbers in our surveys due to sampling equipment limitations, Channel Catfish are abundant as evidenced by angler… |
| White Bass | Excellent | White Bass remain very abundant in Carlyle Lake. We collected 160 White Bass per hour compared to 97 in 2024. This marks a 65 percent increase in catch rates from 2024 to 2025. Multiple size classes and age classes were… |
For Carlyle Lake, IDNR gives crappie spp. a very good outlook.
Names above trace to IDNR for Carlyle Lake, not to angler reports.
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.
Background on the Carlyle Lake fishery
- IDNRThe primary sport fish include Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Black and White Crappie, White Bass, Sauger, Channel Catfish, and Flathead Catfish. Carlyle Lake provides good fishing for most of these species. The populations of some of the primary sport fish tend to cycle year to year. Currently the lake supports excellent populations of crappie, catfish, and White Bass. Fish population surveys are …
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR-mapped launches at Carlyle Lake
- Carlyle Lake Allen Branch Ramplaunch
- Carlyle Lake Apache Boat Ramplaunch
- Carlyle Lake Boat Ramp (north)launch
- Carlyle Lake Boat Ramp (south)gravel ramp, Gravel ramp
- Carlyle Lake Boulder Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch
- Carlyle Lake Coles Creek Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch
- Carlyle Lake Dam East Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch
- Carlyle Lake Dam East Cove Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch
- Carlyle Lake Dam West Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch
- Carlyle Lake Keyesport Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch
- Carlyle Lake Patoka Boat Ramplaunch
- Carlyle Lake Sailing Assoc Boat Ramplaunch
- Carlyle Lake Tamalco Boat Ramplaunch
- Kaskaskia River Cox Bridge Boat Ramp on Carlyle Lakegravel ramp
Piers and shoreline at Carlyle Lake
- Illini Fishing Pond Pier on Carlyle Lakefishing pier, IDNR site: Eldon Hazlet
- Chickasaw Fishing Pier on Carlyle Lakefishing pier, IDNR site: Eldon Hazlet
- Allen Branch Floating Dock on Carlyle Lakefishing pier, IDNR site: Eldon Hazlet
More public launches that reach Carlyle Lake
- Raccoon Lake Boat RampRaccoon Lake, 14 miles southeast
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.
Where to tie up and clean the catch at Carlyle Lake
- Apache Boat Dockboat dock, near Eldon Hazlet
- Hazlet Cottages – Concessionaire Boat Dockboat dock, near Eldon Hazlet
- Allen Branch Day Use Area Boat Dockboat dock, near Eldon Hazlet
- Allen Branch Day Use Area Boat Dockboat dock, near Eldon Hazlet
- Allen Branch Day Use Area Boat Dockboat dock, near Eldon Hazlet
- Apache Fish Cleaning Station Fish Cleaning Stationfish cleaning station
- Allen Branch Fish Cleaning Station Fish Cleaning Stationfish cleaning station
From the 2019 IDNR inventory: the Carlyle Lake docks and cleaning houses above.
IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
Depth maps and contours for Carlyle Lake
- Carlyle Lake – Allen BranchIDNR depth map
- Carlyle Lake – Boulder CreekIDNR depth map
- Carlyle Lake – Coles CreekIDNR depth map
- Carlyle Lake – Dam WestIDNR depth map
- Carlyle Lake – KeyesportIDNR depth map
- Carlyle Lake – Patoka AccessIDNR depth map
- Carlyle Lake – South Shore State ParkIDNR depth map
- Carlyle Lake – Tamalco AccessIDNR depth map
IDNR publishes 8 depth maps for Carlyle Lake; open them from its IFishIllinois page.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Inflow and outflow figures for Carlyle Lake
444.82 feet is the pool the Corps printed for Carlyle Lake on Wednesday, 04 November 2026 08:37.
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).
| NWS gauge | Reading | Flow | Flood category | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaskaskia River above Carlyle Lake Dam (pool) | 444.79 ft | – | no flooding | 2026-11-05 18:30:00 UTC |
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Fish IDNR stocked in Carlyle Lake
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Blue Catfish | 88,275 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Blue Catfish | 83,665 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2026 | Largemouth Bass | 45,125 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2026 | Sauger | 227,238 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Blue Catfish | 6,900 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
Rows for Carlyle Lake come from the IDNR stocking table, which gives the year but not the day.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
Illinois limits that apply on Carlyle 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 |
Those statewide digest rows apply on Carlyle Lake wherever no site-specific line overrides them.
Digest regulations printed for Carlyle Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Carlyle Lake | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12) |
| Carlyle Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Carlyle Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 10 inch Minimum Length Limit; 15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
- Code 12It shall be unlawful to trespass upon a designated waterfowl hunting area during the 7 days prior to the regular duck season, or to fish on such areas during the regular duck and Canada goose season except in areas posted as open to fishing. It shall be …
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 20, 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.
IDNR records from Carlyle Lake
| Species | Weight | Division | Date | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shortnose Gar | 9 lbs 6.2 oz | bow and arrow | May 22, 2016 | Clinton |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Bass trail calendar for Carlyle Lake
The Carlyle Lake tournament page lists upcoming events and sourced results.
Carlyle Lake among its neighbours
On size, Raccoon Lake leads the nearby lakes at 970 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlyle Lake | 24,580 | 35 | 14 | Sauger | |
| Raccoon Lake | 14 miles southeast | 970 | 17 | 1 | Crappie spp. |
| Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake) | 17 miles northwest | 25 | 1 | Channel Catfish | |
| Lake Centralia | 17 miles southeast | 254 | 23 | 1 | Bluegill |
| Governor Bond Lake | 18 miles northwest | 775 | 2 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | |
| Kinmundy Reservoir | 20 miles east | 107 | 26 | 2 |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
An Illinois blacktop jaunt from Carlyle Lake
Lakes in the same corner of the state as Carlyle Lake
- Raccoon Lake14 miles southeast
- Patriot's Park Lake (aka Greenville Old City Lake)17 miles northwest
- Lake Centralia17 miles southeast
- Governor Bond Lake18 miles northwest
- Kinmundy Reservoir20 miles east
Filling the bait bucket near Carlyle Lake
- Boulder Access Marinamarina, Shattuc, 2 miles
- Tradewinds Marinamarina, Keyesport, 3 miles
- Highland Lure & Bait Companybait and tackle shop, Keyesport, 4 miles
- Carlyle Lake Marine Centerbait and tackle shop, Carlyle, 11 miles
- Jerry's Tackle and Gunsbait and tackle shop, Highland, 25 miles
Tackle loaner sites near Carlyle Lake
- Eldon Hazlett State ParkCarlyle, 6 miles
- Centralia Public LibraryCentralia, 14 miles
- Greenville Public LibraryGreenville, 16 miles
- Germantown LibraryGermantown, 20 miles
Illinois towns close to Carlyle Lake
- Sandoval10 miles
- Carlyle10 miles
- Central City13 miles
County guides linked to Carlyle Lake
- Bond Countyseat: Greenville
- Clinton Countyseat: Carlyle
- Fayette Countyseat: Vandalia
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun gear a Prairie State angler could stow for Carlyle Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Telling the Carlyle Lake fish apart by photo
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: kmitschke, CC BY 2.0
Photo: ted_rocket, CC BY-SA 2.0
Straight replies on Carlyle Lake
How do I find Carlyle Lake on an Illinois map?
Carlyle Lake is located in southwestern Illinois, 50 miles east of St. Louis, principally in Clinton County, with Carlyle being the largest city bordering the water. Its county listing is Bond, Clinton and Fayette counties, about 3 miles from Keyesport.
Is Carlyle Lake a large lake for Illinois?
IDNR gives 24,580 acres, and the IDNR text gives a 35 foot maximum depth.
Can I tow a bass boat to Carlyle Lake and launch?
The IDNR map shows 14 boat ramps; Carlyle Lake Allen Branch Ramp is one.
Which fish does IDNR list for Carlyle Lake?
The IDNR outlook gives sauger a fair; other fish listed include bluegill, largemouth bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish and white bass.
How many black bass does the digest allow at Carlyle 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. The limits band adds this water's digest entry.
Is an Illinois license required at Carlyle Lake?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Where can I bank fish at Carlyle Lake?
Start at Illini Fishing Pond Pier on Carlyle Lake; IDNR records 3 fishing piers.
Can I get bait on the way to Carlyle Lake?
Our list starts with Boulder Access Marina, about 2 miles away,.
Where does the St. Louis District post Carlyle Lake levels?
The St. Louis District report issued Wednesday, 04 November 2026 08:37 gave 444.82 feet; the Corps posts a new forecast page daily.
Which record fish came from Carlyle Lake?
Shortnose Gar at 9 lbs 6.2 oz (bow and arrow division, May 22, 2016) is the heaviest entry IDNR lists for Carlyle Lake; IDNR prints no angler names.
Pack the rods for Carlyle Lake
Fees, stamps and site rules sit on the license page.