Carlyle Lake is the largest man-made lake in Illinois, spanning over 26,000 acres across Clinton, Fayette, and Bond counties. Created between 1958 and 1967 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dammed the Kaskaskia River, this rectangular-shaped waterbody stretches approximately 15 miles long and 2-3 miles wide. With a maximum depth of 35 feet and an average depth of 11 feet, the lake offers diverse fishing environments in its relatively shallow waters. Located about 50 miles east of St. Louis, Carlyle Lake has transformed from what was once called the dead sea into one of Illinois' premier fishing destinations, particularly renowned for its excellent catfish and crappie fishing.