REGION 5 KIDS FISHING HOTSPOTS
District 18
Forbes Lake- Marion County (IDNR)
Forbes Lake(525acres), located in Stephen Forbes State Park, 15 miles
northeast of Salem Illinois has good fishing for crappie, channel catfish,
and largemouth bass. Bluegill and redear sunfish are abundant but on the
small side, also available are; saugeye, hybrid striped bass, muskellunge,
and carp. Several ponds are also located in the park, Boston Pond recieves
spring and fall stockings of catchable rainbow trout. There are no horsepower
limitations for boats on the lake though the lake is zoned for water skiing
and no-wake fishing areas. Camping and picnicking facilities as well as
boat rentals are also available. More information can be obtained by calling
S.A. Forbes State Park at 618/547-3381.
Ramsey Lake- Fayette County(IDNR)
Ramsey Lake(46 acres), located in Ramsey Lake State Park, three miles
northwest of Ramsey Illinois has good fishing for channel catfish, bluegill,
redear sunfish, and crappie. Also available are saugeye. Boats are allowed
but limited to trolling motors only. Camping and picnicking facilities
as well as boat rentals are also available. More information can be obtained
by calling Ramsey Lake State Park at 618/423-2215.
Sam Dale Lake- Wayne County(IDNR)
Sam Dale Lake(194 acres), located in Sam Dale Lake State Park five miles
northwest of Johnsonville Illinois has good fishing for channel catfish,
largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, and crappie. Also available
are carp. Rainbow trout are also stocked into the Dale Lake Trout Pond
in the spring and fall. Boats are allowed on the lake but are limited
to 10 horsepower. Camping and picnicking facilities as well as boat rentals
are also available. More information can be obtained by calling Sam Dale
Lake State Park at 618/ 835-2292.
District 19
Beall Woods Lake - Wabash County (IDNR)
Beall Woods Lake is a 14 acre lake located in Beall Woods State
Park one mile east of Keensburg (6 miles south of Mt. Carmel on
Rt. 1). The lake contains largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish,
channel catfish, and black crappie. It is also stocked with rainbow
trout each spring and fall. Bluegill and redear sunfish from 5 -
7 inches are plentiful. Channel catfish are stocked annually and
range from 1 to 6 pounds. Largemouth bass are abundant, but most
are smaller than the 15 inch minimum length limit. This lake offers
great access for bank anglers. There is also a boat ramp, but boats
are limited to electric motors only. Brush piles have been placed
in the lake to serve as fish attractors and are located within easy
casting distance of the numerous fishing docks scattered around
the lake. Non-electric campsites and picnicking facilities are also
available at the site. More information can be obtained by calling
Beall Woods State Park at 618/298-2442.
Sam Parr Lake - Jasper County (IDNR)
This 180 acre lake is located in Sam Parr State Park 3 miles northeast
of Newton, IL. The lake contains largemouth bass, bluegill, redear
sunfish, black crappie, and channel catfish. This lake has abundant
bluegill from 5 - 7 inches in length. Crappie from 7 - 10 inches
are also plentiful, and are especially easy to catch in the spring.
The lake has a very good population of largemouth bass, with many
fish in the 2 - 4 pound range. There is a 14 inch minimum length
limit for bass. It is also one of the best lakes in this part of
the state to catch channel catfish. Channel catfish are very abundant.
Most range from 2 - 4 pounds, however, larger fish up to 12 pounds
are not uncommon. The lake offers good access sites for bank anglers,
and there are two boat ramps. There is a 10 hp limit for outboard
motors. Non-electric campsites and picnicking facilities are also
available at the site. More information can be obtained by calling
Sam Parr State Park at 618/783-2661.
Red Hills Lake - Lawrence County (IDNR)
Red Hills Lake is a 40 acre lake located on IL Rt. 50 between Olney
and Lawrenceville. The lake contains largemouth bass, bluegill,
redear sunfish, black crappie, and channel catfish. Regulations
include a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass, and an
8 inch minimum length limit with a 10 fish daily creel limit for
bluegill and redear sunfish. The site offers excellent access for
bank anglers. There is also a boat ramp and row boats for rent,
but boats are restricted to electric motors only. The lake has excellent
fishing for channel catfish, bluegill and bass. Both electric and
non-electric campsites and picnicking facilities are available.
There is also a restaurant at the site open year-round. For more
information, call Red Hills State Park at 618/936-2469.
District 21
Cedar Lake- Jackson County
Cedar Lake is located five miles southwest of Carbondale. This
1750 acre lake has two boat ramps. One is located off of Old State
Highway 51 south of Carbondale. The other ramp is located off of
State Highway 127 south of Murphysboro. Cedar lake offers very little
shoreline fishing access. There is a 10 HP motor limit on this lake.
Most anglers target largemouth bass, redear and bluegill sunfish,
striped bass and crappies. Largemouth bass are very abundant. The
daily creel limit on this lake is five bass under 14 inches and
one bass over 18 inches. All bass 14-18 inches in length must be
returned. Striped bass are stocked when available and anglers have
reported catches of striped bass over 20 pounds. Fishing is best
during the spring spawning seasons and also in the fall.
Kinkaid Lake- Jackson County
This 2750-acre lake is located fives miles northwest of Murphysboro.
Kinkaid Lake offers very little shoreline fishing access. There
are three main boat ramps around the lake. A marina (618-687-4914)
offers camping facilities and boat rentals. Camping facilities are
also available at near by Lake Murphysboro State Park (618-684-2867).
This lake is annually stocked with walleye, muskie, and largemouth
bass. Most anglers target largemouth bass, walleye, muskie, channel
catfish and crappies. The best chance to catch fish in this lake
is in the spring and fall as this lake receives a lot of recreational
boat traffic during the summer months.
Lake Murphysboro- Jackson County
This 145-acre lake is located two miles west of Murphysboro in
Lake Murphysboro State Park. Most anglers target largemouth bass,
crappie, and channel catfish. Channel catfish are stocked annually.
There is plenty of shoreline fishing access including two fishing
piers. Fishing is best during the spring spawning seasons and also
in the fall. Camping facilities are on a first come first serve
basis (no reservations) and boat rentals are also available. There
is a 10 HP motor limit on this lake. Two picnic shelters are also
available and can be reserved for group/family outings. Information
on camping can be obtained by calling Lake Murphysboro State Park
(618-684-2867).
