Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Poor

The bluegill population structure is poor. During the 2016 spring electrofishing survey, no bluegill over 8 inches were collected.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Excellent

Kinkaid Lake has an excellent and underutilized channel catfish population.

CRAPPIE

Excellent

Kinkaid Lake is known for producing large crappie. Crappie over 2 pounds are caught each year, and at least two 4-pound crappie have been caught in the last 4 years. Blacknose crappie were first stocked in 2010. Legal-sized blacknose crappie were first caught in 2013. 49% of the crappie collected during the spring 2016 survey were over the minimum nine-inch length limit. Site Regulation: White, black, hybrid crappie: 25 fish daily limit; 9" minimum length limit.

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Fair

Surveys indicate that a small number of flathead catfish are present.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Very Good

Of the bass collected during the 2016 spring survey, 14% were over the minimum 16 inch size limit and 10% were over 18 inches. Ten percent of all largemouth bass collected were between 15-16 inches.Site Regulation: 3 fish daily limit; 16" minimum length limit.

MUSKELLUNGE

Excellent

Kinkaid Lake is one of the premier muskie lakes in Illinois. Muskie are stocked annually and many are caught each year in excess of 40 inches. During the 2016 spring survey muskies collected measured up to 45.3 inches in length. Anglers are encouraged to NOT fish for muskie in the warmer summer months as angling mortality is believed to be very high especially, for larger muskie. Please report tagged MUE to IDNR Fish Biologist Shawn Hirst at 618-687-4546 or email at Shawn.Hirst@illinois.gov. Anglers reporting a tagged muskie will receive information on the history of that fish. If the tag number is covered with algae, simply scrape the algae away with your fingernail or a knife. Please provide tag number (5 digits), length, and catch date. Please do not remove the tag. Site Regulation: 1 fish daily limit; 48" minimum length limit.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Average

The redear population is average. Of the redear collected in the 2016 spring electrofishing survey, 12% were over eight-inches in length.

SMALLMOUTH BASS

Developing

IDNR first stocked smallmouth bass into Kinkaid Lake in 2005. The first documented legal-sized smallmouth (>16”) was observed in 2010. During 2012, numerous legal-sized smallmouth bass were caught with the largest reported fish measuring 18 inches. IDNR is not aware of any smallmouths caught during 2016. An additional 1000 smallmouth bass (4.5 inch average length) were stocked in August of 2016. These fish do not appear to be recruiting in Kinkaid Lake, and no additional SMB stockings are planned. Site Regulation: 3 fish daily limit; 16" minimum length limit.

WALLEYE

Good

IDNR annually stocks walleye into Kinkaid Lake, and fish up to 11 pounds have been collected in netting surveys. Walleye numbers are not high, but trophy-sized fish can be caught. The best areas are in front of the dam and spillway during spring high water events. During 2016 trap netting, the largest fish collected measured 27 inches and 9.9 pounds. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit; 14" minimum length limit.

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