LivewellIllinois · Franklin County · River
Big Muddy River and Tributaries, including Beaucoup Creek and Little Muddy River
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Big Muddy River and Tributaries, including Beaucoup Creek and Little Muddy River, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
4 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury
Illinois also has statewide guidance
Illinois publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 1 recommendation covering 1 species — in addition to anything listed for Big Muddy River and Tributaries, including Beaucoup Creek and Little Muddy River below.
Strictest statewide rule: All Other Species — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Big Muddy River and Tributaries, including Beaucoup Creek and Little Muddy River
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
White Crappie
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Is it legal to keep?
These are Illinois's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 14" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 14" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 36" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | 24" min | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Illinois — Illinois DNR
Getting on the water
- Rend Lake boat ramp 2.8 mi Directions
- Fishing Attractor fishing 2.9 mi Directions
- Fishing Attractor fishing 3.0 mi Directions
- Fishing Attractor fishing 3.0 mi Directions
- Fishing Attractor fishing 3.1 mi Directions
- Fishing Attractor fishing 3.1 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.