Have a fishing pole or two but don’t have any idea where to go? In #ILSouth, we have a bunch of nooks and crannies where you can cast a line and fish to your heart’s desire.

Carlyle Lake – Clinton County

Of course Illinois’ largest man-made lake is a hot spot for fishing. Popular fish here includes bluegill, channel catfish, sunfish, crappie, and a variety of bass. Other activities to do while on Carlyle is sailing, biking, camping, and other recreation. Cities that are near: Carlyle, Keyesport

Forbes Lake – Marion County

Forbes Lake is in Stephen A. Forbes State Park and is comprised primarily of largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, white crappie, and channel catfish, and is stocked annually with saugeye. Other activities allowed here are picnicking, swimming, camping, and skiing. Stephen A. Forbes State Park, 618-547-3381 Cities that are near: Kinmundy, Salem

Horseshoe Lake- Madison County

Once a very old floodplain, this lake was created by an abandoned river channel with very shallow depths. However, common sport fish like carp, buffalo, drum, and gar. Bow fishing is also available. Horseshoe Lake State Park, 618- 931-0270 Cities that are near: Granite City, Madison

Sparta Reservoir– Randolph County

The reservoirs consist of the New City Reservoir (North) and the Old City Reservoir (South). Here you can catch redear sunfish, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill. City of Sparta, 618-443-2917 Cities that are near: Sparta

Sam Dale Lake – Wayne County

Sam Dale Lake is a fertile area largely surrounded by forest and is a part of the Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area. Common fish here are bluegill, muskellunge, catfish, and largemouth bass. Hunting, picnicking, and camping are other recreation to enjoy. Sam Dale State Park, 618-835-2292 Cities that are near: Johnsonville

East Fork Lake – Richland County

Constructed in 1971 by the City of Olney as a water supply reservoir, East Fork Lake is a big feature to the area.  The Lake is primarily comprised of walleye, yellow bullheads, catfish, bluegill, and bass. You can also obtain your boat stickers at Olney City Hall. East Fork Lake, Olney City Hall: 618-393-2130 Cities that are near: Olney   Be sure to check out our other lakes you may not know about in Downstate Illinois here. For more detailed state rules and restrictions of our listed lakes, visit www.ifishillinois.org.