Fishing Lakes & marina

Lakes

Crab Orchard Lake

One of the most popular lakes in southern Illinois for fishing, hunting, and boating is located within the heart of Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.  Anglers on this lake enjoy excellent fishing for such species as largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, and rod breaking catfish.

Trophy bass anglers point their boat towards Crab Orchard Lake each spring.  This 6.900-acre lake gives up numerous 4-7 pound bass.  Spinner baits, jig-n-pig, and plastic worms take their share of the lunker bass from February through May.  However, after spawning the bass move off the points and are taken on crankbaits and plastic worms.  Memorial Day weekend signals the start of the summer bass patterns.  Many of the bass caught on this lake will average close to two pounds.  Bass anglers can keep bass 15 inches or larger.

Anglers that like bass fishing can take them and other fish species at the Visitor pond, A-41 fishing area, Bluegill pond, Managers pond, North Pasture Pond, Old SIU ponds, and Blue Heron pond on the refuge property.  The Visitor pond has a 21-inch bass minimum limit and all other ponds have a 15-inch bass minimum limit length.  Stop by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Visitor’s Center on Route 148 for a map of all these ponds.

Crappie fishing is excellent on this lake with many stringers full of 1-2 pound fish. These tasty pan fryers are caught on jigs and/or minnows.  When the dogwoods start blooming in mid-April, the crappie move to the shoreline to start their spawning.  Nice stringers of crappie are taken on minnows around beaver huts and brush piles.  Fall crappie fishing is very good near underwater brush piles and stumps.  The Fish and Wildlife Service has placed many fish attractors around the lake for the anglers.  A fishing map showing the fish attractors is available from the refuge by calling (618) 997-3344.

Catfishermen love this lake for the large channel cats and flatheads, which are taken from this lake May through October.  Trotlines, jugs, and pole and line fishing are popular methods of taking the catfish, which average 2 ½ pounds in weight. Bring your favorite cheese baits, cut shad, liver, and shrimp for these fish.  This lake also offers good bullhead fishing during the summer and fall.

The lake offers camping, picnic areas, and motels only minutes away and approximately a dozen paved or gravel launch ramps.  Two full-service marinas are found on the lake.

Little Grassy Lake

Pine trees and hardwoods surround Little Grassy Lake, which is located a few miles south of Crab Orchard Lake on the Giant City road near Carbondale.  Built in 1940 as part of the Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge system, this 1200-acre lake has over 36 miles of shoreline with an average depth of 27 feet.  The lake is noted for its solitude, and no water skiers will disturb your quiet family fishing trip.  The lake has a 10 horsepower limit.  You can use your own fishing boat, or you can rent a boat at the boat dock.  Live bait is also available.  Camping and picnicking sites are also available.

Bass action begins to pick up during late February.  Top water minnow baits, spinner baits, and plastic worms take many of the bass. Look for bass in the 2-6 pound class.  Many tributaries feed this lake and anglers will find bass feeding near them after a hard rain.  Great fall bass fishing is set against a backdrop of turning oak, hickory, and maple leaves. This lake has a 12-15 inch slot size limit.  A slot length limit means that fish within the designated range must be released.

The family will enjoy crappie and bluegill fishing during April and May. Bring minnows, red wigglers, and brown crickets if you want to fill the freezer with a winter supply of fish.  You must have a Recreation User Fee pass for this lake that can be obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Visitor Center on Route 148 south.

The Little Grassy boat dock provides boat rentals, bait, tackle, licenses, boat slips, and a snack restaurant. Camping is offered with electricity, and a beach is provided for campers.  Outboard motors are limited to 10 hp.  The marina is open March 1 through October 30.  For rental and camping fees, contact the Little Grassy Boat Dock, RR #1, Makanda, IL 62958. Phone: (618) 457-6655. Additional information may be obtained from Visitor’s Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, 8588 Route 148, Marion, IL 62959, phone (618) 997-3344.

Devil’s Kitchen Lake

The twin sister to Little Grassy Lake is Devil’s Kitchen. This clear, deep reservoir surrounded by pine trees will remind you of a beautiful Canadian lake.  Rock outcroppings dot the shoreline of this 810-acre lake. It is located eight miles south of Carterville, IL. This lake has no size limit on bass, which are kept for the freezer.  Anglers will enjoy this quiet lake as they fish silently down the wooded shoreline.  Wild turkey, whitetail deer, and many species of songbirds greet anglers around each point of the lake. Bring your camera for some beautiful Williamson County memories!

Devil’s Kitchen is the only lake in Williamson County that supports a large population of Rainbow Trout the year around. The lake was initially stocked in 1976 and with recent stockings, many 2-3 pound trout are taken.  Nightcrawlers, sweet corn, cheese balls, and Berkley Power Baits will take these fish in the deeper water near the dam.

Crappie fishing is found around the fallen and standing trees.  Minnows and jigs are fished 10-15 feet deep in the clear water, which produce a number of two-pound crappie each year.

This lake, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, has bluegill that will average one-half pound. Bluegill are on the beds during May, and many anglers look for days during a full moon to fill their ice cooler with eating size fish.  The lake also has very good redear fishing with many of them going over a pound. Bring along a small camp stove and have a tasty shore lunch on one of the rock outcroppings. Can’t you smell those cornmeal-fried crappie and bluegill now?

For camping fees, rentals, and prices, contact the Devil’s Kitchen Boat Dock & Campground, RR#3, Carbondale, IL 62901 or phone (618) 457-5004. Additional information may be obtained from Visitor’s Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, 8588 Route 148, Marion, IL 62959, phone (618) 997-3344.

The Fish and Wildlife Service has a Recreational User Fee, which must be purchased at the Visitor’s Center on Route 148 south.  Visitors can purchase a 1-day, 5-day, or yearly pass at the center. This pass will be needed to use refuge on Crab Orchard Lake, Little Grassy Lake, Devil’s Kitchen Lake, and Refuge Ponds.

Lake of Egypt

This is one of the most productive bass and crappie lakes to have been carved out of Illinois soil.  A 2,300-acre lake, which is owned by the Southern Illinois Power Company, has 93 miles of shoreline and an average depth of 19 feet.

Thousands of pounds of largemouth bass, hybrid stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, and other fish species are pulled out of this lake each year. Hybrid stripers up to 20 pounds have been taken out of these waters. The Illinois state record fish hybrid striper came from this lake in 1993.  It weighed in at slightly over 20 pounds.

The lake is used as a cooling lake for the power generators.  The north end of the lake provides very good fishing during January through March.  April and May find bass anglers fishing the coves and creeks in the back end of the lake.  Bring your Lunker Lures, spinner baits, and jig-n-pigs for these fish.  Fishing around weedbeds, stumps, and brush piles will provide hours of fishing pleasure.

Crappie fishermen love this lake for its abundant crappie population.  White are chartreuse jigs and live minnows are taking nice stringers of crappie. Many stringers will have 1-1 ½ pound crappie. Crappie fishing starts in mid-February and the spawn starts about the first of April.  Many crappie are taken by tying on a small white crappie jig with a small bobber attached 3-4 feet above the jig.  Cast over underwater weedbeds and watch the bobber go under. Summer crappie fishing is good, but most local anglers find the crappie at a depth of 15 to 20 feet.  During the fall the crappie move back upon the shoreline around brushpiles and at the edges of the weedbeds.

Camping, boat rental, live bait, and sandwiches are available on the lake.  A daily boat- launching fee ranging from $2-$3.00 is charged at the marinas.  Any size boat and motor can be used on the lake.  If you are into water skiing during the hot summer months, you have found the perfect lake.  Early morning or late evenings will provide family fishing fun during the dog days of summer.

Marion City Reservoir

Located near Marion and owned by the city is a 235-acre water supply reservoir with numerous species of fish for the angler. The lake has bass, bluegill, redear, and catfish available to the public with no fee charged.  The lake is located approximately four miles south of Marion on Route 37 and less than a mile west. A concrete boat ramp is available for any size boat and motor.  The lake does have a speed limit.  No camping is allowed and all fishing must be done by sundown.  A parking lot is available for vehicles and trailers.

Herrin City Lake #2

This quiet little 80-acre lake is located in the southern part of the county.  It has largemouth bass fishing, bluegill, and crappie.  Anglers must visit the City Clerk’s office in Herrin, IL, which is open five days a week, to receive a free pass to fish or camp at the lake. The lake has a gravel boat ramp for small boats with less than 10 horsepower.  The camping is primitive and the use of a tent or a small camping trailer is permitted.  The lake is patrolled and visitors must have the free pass in their possession.  The lake is wooded and has numerous rock outcroppings in the south end of the lake.  If you are looking for a fishing trip off the beaten path, this is the lake for you.

Arrowhead Lake

Anglers looking for another quiet lake stocked with bass, bluegill, channel catfish, blue cats, crappie, and redear will enjoy this 30-acre lake northeast of Johnston City.  It has a concrete boat ramp, fishing pier, and parking lot.  The campground features 23 sites with electric hookups.  Trolling monitors are permitted on the lake, but no outboard motors are allowed.  Early spring and late fall fishing is recommended for the best fishing. Access is free to the public. Phone: (618) 893-3535.

Marinas

Devil’s Kitchen Boat Dock & Marina: (on Devil’s Kitchen Lake) near the north entrance offers fishing boats, canoes, motors, snacks, and live baits.  The marina’s small diner provides visitors with snack foods. Fully equipped RV’s are available for rental at the marina.  (618) 457-5004

Egyptian Hills Marina, 75 Egyptian Parkway, Creal Springs, IL 62922. Phone: (168) 996-3449. This facility has full service and is located on the eastern side midway down the lake. Boat rentals, gasoline, bait, tackle, guide service, launching, restaurant, cabins, and RV space available.  There is a daily launching fee of $3.00 unless you are camping at the facility.

Lake of Egypt Marina, 12024 Laguna Drive, Marion, IL 62959. Phone: (618) 964-1821. Open all year. American-made boat sales and service.  A full-service facility located on the eastern side of the lake with launching available. No camping or boat rental available.

Little Grassy Boat Dock, Marina: (on Little Grassy Lake) Offers bait, boat rentals, and snack shop. Phone: (618) 457-6655

Playport Marina is located on Spillway Road, ½ mile south on New Route 13, Carbondale, IL. Yearly slip rentals for houseboats, pontoons, sailboats, and runabouts. Pump station for watercraft holding tanks.  Concrete launching ramp, open fishing access, and picnic pavilion. Phone: (168) 997-3344, ext. 310.