Reservoir · Clinton, Illinois
Carlyle Lake
Location Snapshot
Carlyle Lake is a large Kaskaskia River reservoir in south-central Illinois, with broad open water, long creek arms, and extensive shallow reservoir habitat. Crappie, white bass, channel catfish, and largemouth bass shape a varied warmwater fishery distinct from the moving-water Kaskaskia River below the dam.
Information Only
StrikeTracks does not currently provide a live condition rating for this destination. Destination and fishery information is still available.
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Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Carlyle Lake.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Channel catfish and white bass are primary and established in Carlyle Lake. Black crappie, largemouth bass, and white crappie are common and established. Blue catfish and hybrid striped bass are present and stocked.
Target species
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
White Bass
Morone chrysops
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Hybrid Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis × Morone chrysops
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Stocking information
Blue catfish and hybrid striped bass are stocked in Carlyle Lake.
- Stocked
Blue Catfish
Stocked · Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
- Stocked
Hybrid Striped Bass
Stocked · Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries
Official sources
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
Clinton, Illinois
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
County
Clinton
Management Category
USACE / Illinois DNR flood-control reservoir
Regulation Scope
Carlyle Lake.
Regulation Summary
Carlyle Lake: Illinois inland fishing regulations at the USACE Carlyle project. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
Channel Catfish, White Bass, White Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Blue Catfish
Public Access
Public
Boat Launch
Available
Shore Fishing
Available