From the IFishIllinois page on the Kaskaskia River
Location (IDNR)The Kaskaskia River is the largest stream found entirely within Illinois. From its headwaters just west of Champaign to its mouth on the Mississippi River above Chester, the Kaskaskia winds its way across nearly 300 miles of central and southwestern Illinois. Its watershed (the land area draining into it) …
Description (IDNR)Due to its geographic scope and the variety of habitats, the Kaskaskia supports a wide array of aquatic species, many of which are sport fishes. The Kaskaskia River Project (KRP), a 36-mile-long navigation channel below Fayetteville and two reservoirs—Carlyle Lake and Lake Shelbyville— have altered the river's ecology, but provide many local fishing opportunities.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
The Kaskaskia produces good to excellent channel cat fishing throughout most of its length. Although they reach their largest sizes in the KRP (up to 10-15 lbs), channels in the 2-5 lb range are common throughout the…
This species now provides a tremendous fishery in the Carlyle tailwater due to spillway escapement of young fish stocked annually into the lake. Many fish (2-4 lbs) are caught trolling or drifting in mid channel…
A big river species, blue cats are restricted mostly to the KRP although decent fish (25 lbs) have been collected further upstream near Venedy Station. The deep navigation channel affords year-round habitat, but…
Crappie spp.
Fair
Although not common in the main river channel, both black and white crappie provide seasonal opportunities in the oxbow lake complex where many 10-14” fish are found in and around brushpiles and treetops. The old river…
The Kaskaskia River bass fishery tends to be cyclical and recent surveys (and tournaments) show it to be in a “down” period compared to recent years. While bass numbers appear depressed everywhere, a few decent fish…
These nomadic predators are caught in open water of the KRP, but reach their greatest numbers in the reservoir spillway areas, particularly in spring when they make their spawning runs. There are plenty of “eating size”…
Recent IDNR surveys have yielded flatheads in excess of 40 lbs. Like channels, these fish show their greatest abundance in the lower KRP (Evansville/Baldwin) main river channel. Deeper pools near rootwads and brush are…
Like crappie, Bluegill are not common in the river proper, but non-flowing “off-channel” habitats harbor decent populations. Surveys have yielded many 6-7.5” fish in shallower portions of the KRP oxbow lakes near woody…
An IDNR restoration program has brought smallies back from the brink of elimination in the stretch of river below Shelbyville. While most abundant in the immediate tailwater area, fish in the 2-5 lb range can be found…
For the Kaskaskia River, every fish listed has an IDNR source.
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.
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 11:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
On screen: Kaskaskia River Below Ficklin, IL, Kaskaskia River at Cooks Mills, IL, Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville, IL and Kaskaskia River Near Cowden, IL.
USGS instantaneous values, provisional; site list read November 4, 2026.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge readings (water.noaa.gov), read November 5, 2026; dated readings, not live (kcfs = thousand cubic feet per second).
Teal Lake Boat Ramp on Willow Lake (PRKFWA)Willow Lake (PRKFWA), 9 miles
Farm fields line long stretches of the Kaskaskia River, so get a landowner yes before crossing.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Stocking
The Kaskaskia River in the stocking table
Year
Species as listed
Number
Size class
2026
Largemouth Bass
8,519
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2026
Sauger
44,140
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2025
Largemouth Bass
8,504
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2025
Sauger
22,136
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2024
Largemouth Bass
11,695
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2024
Sauger
39,171
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2023
Alligator Gar
570
Adult
2023
Largemouth Bass
6,330
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2023
Largemouth Bass
2,001
Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7")
2023
Sauger
10,845
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
Begin with the statewide rows for the Kaskaskia River; site entries override them.
Digest entries for the Kaskaskia River
Water as printed
Species
Rule as printed (code)
Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area – Doza Creek
Which county courthouse covers the Kaskaskia River?
The Kaskaskia River is the largest stream found entirely within Illinois. From its headwaters just west of Champaign to its mouth on the Mississippi River above Chester, the Kaskaskia winds its way ac Its Illinois banks lie in Douglas County and 8 other counties.
Which gauge reads the Kaskaskia River?
The flow band pulls Kaskaskia River Below Ficklin, IL and Kaskaskia River at Cooks Mills, IL from USGS.
Which ramps reach the Kaskaskia River?
There are 10 boat ramps, Kaskaskia River Carlyle Boat Ramp among them.
Does the digest print extra rules for the Kaskaskia River?
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. See its site-specific rows too.
What does IDNR charge for a license good on the Kaskaskia River?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Is the Kaskaskia River good for catfish?
IDNR rates channel catfish very good; its sources also name sauger, blue catfish, walleye, largemouth bass and white bass.
Which store outfits a trip on the Kaskaskia River?
Stop at Dan & Neats Live Bait & Tackle, about 18 miles away,.
Can I bank fish the Kaskaskia River?
Ask before crossing private ground; public ramps and parks are open.
Is there an Illinois record from the Kaskaskia River?
Muskellunge at 38 lbs 8 oz (hook and line division, April 20, 2002) is the heaviest entry IDNR lists for the Kaskaskia River; IDNR prints no angler names.
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