Top fish species at Old River

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Old River fishing reports

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Channel catfish

length · weight

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Yellow bullhead

length · weight

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Common carp

length · weight

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White bass

12 in · 1 lb

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White bass

length · weight

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General info

Old River is a stream located in Randolph County, Illinois, United States. It is also intersecting with Perry County, Missouri. It is most popular for fishing White bass, Channel catfish, and Common carp.

Location

37°53′17″N 89°52′19.2″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Old River, IL

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Illinois can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching White bass as of April 13th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

White bass

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

15

Memorable

4 > 18

Measurement

Total Length

Aggregate

15

Size limit: You may keep up to four fish longer than 18" per day.

For more information please see https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/species/temperate-bass


Bull Shoals Lake

On the lake and its tributaries: Ozark, Taney, Christian, and Douglas

Daily limit:

Striped bass: only 3 striped bass may be included in the aggregate

Length limit:

Striped bass: minimum 20"

There are no length limits for white bass, yellow bass, or their hybrids.

From Powersite Dam to Highway 76: Taney 

Prohibited Methods: Trotlines, throwlines and limb lines

For more information please see Temperate bass special area restrictions


Dry Fork Creek

Mainstem and its tributaries:

Length limit: Spotted bass—No minimum length limit.

In Crawford and Phelps counties:

The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited.

For more information please see Temperate bass special area restrictions


Eleven Point River

In Oregon County: The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited.

For more information please see Temperate bass special area restrictions


Long Branch Lake

Length Limits:

Hybrid striped bass: minimum 20"

Daily limit:

Hybrid striped bass: 4

For more information please see Temperate bass special area restrictions


Mississippi River

This area encompasses the Mississippi River, including pools 20-26, the temporary overflow waters east of the Missouri Pacific Railroad between Cape Girardeau and Scott City, and the temporary overflow waters east of the mainline and setback levees between Commerce and the Arkansas state line.

Mississippi River, including Pools 20-26

White bass, yellow bass, striped bass and their hybrids: The daily and possession limit is 30, combined total of these species.

Length limits:

White bass, yellow bass, striped bass and their hybrids: None

Allowed methods:

Limit of 2 poles per licensed angler

Limit of 50 hooks on a trotline

For more information please see Temperate bass special area restrictions


Norfolk Lake

Length limit: 

Minimum 12" on spotted bass

On the lake and its tributaries:

Daily limit: 

Striped Bass: only 3 striped bass may be included in the aggregate.

Length limit:

Striped Bass: minimum 20"

White bass, yellow bass, or their hybrids: none

For more information please see Temperate bass special area restrictions


Thomas Hill Lake

Length limits

Hybrid striped bass: minimum 20"

Daily limit

Hybrid striped bass: 4

For more information please see Temperate bass special area restrictions

Very good

Morone chrysops

Regulations for

37°53′17″N 89°52′19.2″W
Regulations in the map
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Local laws and licenses

Illinois fishing license

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Reviews of Old River

3.0
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1 ratings

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Cities nearby

Farmington

31.2 miles away

Festus

37.1 miles away

Jackson

37.2 miles away

Cape Girardeau

43.4 miles away

Belleville

43.9 miles away

Oakville

45.6 miles away

Swansea

46.2 miles away

Arnold

46.3 miles away

Mehlville

48.7 miles away

Cahokia

49.6 miles away

Lemay

49.8 miles away

Concord

50.5 miles away

Affton

51.9 miles away

Crestwood

53.8 miles away

Webster Groves

54.9 miles away

St. Louis

55.5 miles away

Kirkwood

56.2 miles away

Clayton

57.9 miles away

Manchester

59.1 miles away

Eureka

59.8 miles away

Town and Country

61.0 miles away

Ballwin

61.1 miles away

Wildwood

64.5 miles away

Union

71.8 miles away

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FAQ about Old River fishing

the Old River is a stream located in Randolph County, Illinois, United States. It is also intersecting with Perry County, Missouri. Its coordinates are:
37°53′17″N 89°52′19.2″W
.
Find the best fishing spots on the Old River by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
The most common species in the Old River are:
The latest Old River fishing reports are:
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