Fishing Guide

Learn about many of the varieties of fish in Williamson County.

Largemouth Bass

This fish species is located in every Williamson County Lake. Fish up to ten pounds are taken with regularity during the spring fishing season. Look for the largest in Crab Orchard Lake and Lake of Egypt.

Redear

Many redear will put on over a pound of weight.  Look for lakes such as Lake of Egypt, Arrowhead Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, Little Grassy Lake, and Devil’s Kitchen Lake for family fun.  These fish are generally caught while fishing for bluegill.  Red wigglers and brown crickets will take these fish, and the live bait should be fished near the bottom.  The state record redear came from a private 75-acre Williamson County lake in 1985. The fish tipped the scales at 2 pounds and 12.3 ounces.

White Bass

Crab Orchard Lake and Lake of Egypt are the lakes to find these voracious fish. May through August will find large schools of these fish hunting shad near points or underwater islands.  Early in the morning or late in the evening is the best time to find jumps of these fish. Little George’s, Cordell Hot Spots, Pop R’s, and Gay Blades in shad patterns are recommended.

Bluegill

Pick your lake in the county and they all have bluegill fishing.  Average size bluegill are found taking brown cricket and worms. Small floats, small hooks, and light line will provide plenty of fast action for these great panfish.

Carp

All Williamson County lakes have their share of carp.  These hard fighting fish will give your rod and reel a great workout.  Dough balls, sweet corn, and small worms are suggested bait to use.  If you are into archery, many of the backends of bays will provide great bow shooting for spawning carp.

Catfish

Look for catfish in all county lakes. You will find channel cats, blue cats, and flathead catfish for the taking.  May through early October provides the best action on cut shad, nightcrawlers, liver, or stink bait. Crab Orchard Lake and Lake of Egypt provide action for some monster catfish.

Hybrid Stripers

Powerful and fear by all baitfish in Lake of Egypt, anglers will find the hybrid stripers. This fish will reach sizes of 10-15 pounds in this lake.  Many of the same lures used for white bass should be used on this tackle buster.  The Illinois state record hybrid striper came from Lake of Egypt in 1993.  The fish weighted 20 pounds.

Crappie

All Williamson County lakes support very good crappie populations. When the dogwoods start blooming, look for the crappie on the shoreline as they start to spawn.  Lake of Egypt is one of the best crappie lakes in the county.  However, don’t pass up Crab Orchard Lake during April for nice stringers of crappie.

Rainbow Trout

Devil’s Kitchen Lake is the only lake in the county where anglers can take rainbow trout during the entire year.  Sweet corn, small marshmallows, Berkley Power Baits, and small worms are your best baits.  Small like diameter of 2 to 4-pound test line is recommended for best results.  The rainbow trout is a great eating fish and a hard fighter.  An inland trout stamp is required to take these fish, and it can be purchased at the Devil’s Kitchen boat dock.