Illinois
Largemouth Bass in Illinois
Largemouth Bass are on record in 31 Illinois waters, with 140 stockings in the books. Stocking peaks in January.
When does Illinois stock largemouth bass?
Waters holding largemouth bass
- Hennepin Canal14×
- Crab Orchard Lake10×
- Defiance Lake8×
- Lake Opeka8×
- Washington County Lake7×
- McCullom Lake7×
- Powerton Cooling Lake6×
- Governor Bond Lake6×
- Kaskaskia River6×
- Lake Sule6×
- Levings Lake6×
- Baldwin Lake5×
- Canton Lake5×
- Lake Pittsfield5×
- Whispering Willow Lake5×
- Shabbona Lake4×
- Grand Marais Lake4×
- Mermet Lake3×
- Milliken Lake3×
- Four Lakes3×
- Palmyra-Modesto City Lake3×
- Eureka Lake2×
- Gages Lake2×
- Du Quoin Lake2×
- Horton Lake2×
- Kinkaid Lake2×
- Monee Reservoir1×
- Illinois River1×
- Bowen Lake1×
- Lake Clinton1×
- Lake Le-Aqua-Na1×
Freshest largemouth bass stockings
- Powerton Cooling LakeJan 1, 2026
- Crab Orchard LakeJan 1, 2026
- Washington County LakeJan 1, 2026
- Mineral SpringsJan 1, 2026
- Baldwin LakeJan 1, 2026
- Mermet LakeJan 1, 2026
- Hennepin CanalJan 1, 2026
- Shabbona LakeJan 1, 2026
- Milliken LakeJan 1, 2026
- Gages LakeJan 1, 2025
- Whispering Willow LakeJan 1, 2025
- Grand Marais LakeJan 1, 2025
- Canton LakeJan 1, 2025
- Governor Bond LakeJan 1, 2025
- Four LakesJan 1, 2025
- Lake OpekaJan 1, 2025
- Eureka LakeJan 1, 2025
- McCullom LakeJan 1, 2025
- Levings LakeJan 1, 2025
- Kaskaskia RiverJan 1, 2025
Largemouth Bass nationwide → · Fishing in Illinois → · Illinois stocking report →
Largemouth Bass in Illinois — FAQ
Where can I catch largemouth bass in Illinois?+
Largemouth Bass are on record in 31 Illinois waters, including Hennepin Canal, Crab Orchard Lake, Defiance Lake. The full list is on this page.
When does Illinois stock largemouth bass?+
Illinois stocks largemouth bass most heavily in January, going by 140 records. See the freshest stockings on this page for the current season.
Do I need a license to fish for largemouth bass in Illinois?+
Yes — Illinois requires a fishing license. Buy one from the state and check seasons and limits before you go.