At Carlyle Lake the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, manages stocking and habitat improvement programs to increase fish populations and provide a diversity of species.
Carlyle Lake and the tail water area offer year-round fishing opportunities for a variety of game species such as white bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass, freshwater drum, carp, flathead catfish, and walleye.
Length and daily creel limits follow statewide regulations except as follows:
| Species Minimum |
Length Limit |
Daily Creel Limit |
| Largemouth Bass |
14 Inches |
6 Fish |
| Walleye and Sauger |
14 Inches |
6 Fish in Combination |
| White and Black Crappie |
10 Inches |
15 Fish in Combination |
Fishing Piers are available at:
- Dam East (Lakeview Parking Lot)
- Maple Grove (North Side of Coles Creek)
- Eldon Hazlet State Park (Allen Branch)
These fishing piers provide access for non-ambulatory or partially ambulatory individuals. There is also a fishing pier available at the Keyesport boat ramp. However, it is not ADA accessible.