Pine Creek Fishing
An Illinois creek through Ogle County.
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The Pine Creek, the Prairie State snapshot
The creek called the Pine Creek drains part of Ogle County. Mount Morris is the nearest Census place, under a mile from the reference point.
Read on for put-ins and keeper rules.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
Access notes for the Pine Creek
- Location (IDNR)Located in White Pines Forest State Park south of Oregon in Ogle County.
- Description (IDNR)Concrete fords span the creeks, allowing the visitor, quite literally, to drive through the flowing streams. A benefit for those physically challenged are four concrete sidewalks leading up to the stream bank for viewing or angling.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
The IDNR outlook for the Pine Creek
The Pine Creek list traces to IDNR.
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.
Trailer ramps sloping into the Pine Creek
Paddlers use parks and public crossings on the Pine Creek; the IDNR map has no ramp on it.
Backup launches if the Pine Creek lot is full
- Rock River – Sterling Pool Moonlit Bay Boat RampRock River, Sterling Pool, 15 miles
Private ground borders much of the Pine Creek; ask before walking in.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Fish IDNR released into the Pine Creek
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,518 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,514 | Adult |
| 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,091 | Adult |
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 from the Pine Creek
| 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 |
Statewide limits govern the Pine Creek except where the digest prints its own line.
Site-specific rows on the Pine Creek
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Creek | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) |
| Pine Creek | Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Pine Creek | Trout | Fall Closed Season (7); Early season Catch and Release Fishing is permitted (9) Spring Closed Season (8); Early season Catch and Release Fishing is permitted (9) |
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 48, 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.
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Nearest in this list: Kishwaukee River, some 21 miles out.
| Water | Distance | USGS gauges | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Creek | 0 | 0 | ||
| Kishwaukee River | 21 miles northeast | 5 | 10 | |
| South Branch Kishwaukee River (Winnebago County) | 29 miles northeast | 2 | 0 | |
| Pecatonica River | 39 miles northwest | 2 | 7 | Smallmouth Bass |
| South Branch Kishwaukee River (McHenry County) | 50 miles east | 2 | 0 | |
| Apple River | 54 miles northwest | 1 | 0 |
USGS gauges, IDNR boat ramp layer and IDNR outlook lines; read November 4, 2026.
Near Pine Creek
A second lake for the day after Pine Creek
- Franklin Creek Mill Pond12 miles
- Centennial Park Lake19 miles
- Spring Pond21 miles
- Lake Sule24 miles
Stores with hooks and line around Pine Creek
- Rock River Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Oregon, 8 miles
- Bunnys Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Dixon, 10 miles
- Oppold Marinamarina, Sterling, 17 miles
- South Shore Marinamarina, Rock Falls, 17 miles
- Riglers Sports Supplysporting goods store, Rock Falls, 19 miles
Town bases for anglers near Pine Creek
- Mount Morris4 miles
- Polo6 miles
- Oregon7 miles
- Dixon10 miles
More creeks and rivers by the Pine Creek
- Kishwaukee River21 miles
- South Branch Kishwaukee River (Winnebago County)29 miles
- Pecatonica River39 miles
- South Branch Kishwaukee River (McHenry County)50 miles
- Apple River54 miles
Each county Pine Creek touches, with links
- Ogle County
Piscifun reels to stow in the truck for the Pine Creek
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A photo field guide to Pine Creek fish
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: kmitschke, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
The Pine Creek: what Prairie State anglers want settled
Where in Illinois is the Pine Creek?
Located in White Pines Forest State Park south of Oregon in Ogle County. Maps show it in Ogle County.
Where can I check the flow on the Pine Creek?
Nothing measures it in our data.
Where can a kayak put in on the Pine Creek?
Rock River – Sterling Pool Moonlit Bay Boat Ramp, about 15 miles away, is closest.
What can I take home from the Pine Creek?
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 site-specific digest entry also applies; see the limits band.
Does my neighbour-state license work on the Pine Creek?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Which fish turn up in IDNR surveys of the Pine Creek?
Expect rainbow trout, among others.
Which Illinois tackle counter is nearest the Pine Creek?
Rock River Outfitters, about 8 miles away, tops the shop list.
Where can I wade or fish from shore on the Pine Creek?
Away from public sites, an owner yes is required.
Give the Pine Creek a weekend
Read the limits before keeping fish.