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).
