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MURPHYSBORO, LAKE
Lake Information
County: Jackson
Acreage: 140
Average Depth: 13.71 feet
Shoreline Length: 7.5 miles
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? 10hp
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
Click on map for expanded view
Maps are not intended for navigation.
There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2018 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
1472 |
2018 |
Channel Catfish |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 10" |
731 |
2019 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
1109 |
2020 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
5410 |
Additional information for stocking on MURPHYSBORO, LAKE
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Average | The bluegill population structure can only be described as average. During the fall electrofishing survey, no bluegill over 7 inches were collected. | |
Excellent | IDNR stocks 8-10” channel catfish into Lake Murphysboro every year. These annual stockings have produced excellent angling opportunities for 2-5 pound channel catfish. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit. | |
Good | Lake Murphysboro has a good crappie population consisting of both black and white crappie. Of the crappie collected in the 2019 fall electrofishing survey, 43% were over nine-inches in length and 3% were over 10 inches in length. | |
Excellent | The opportunity to catch bass over 15 inches and weighing 2–3 pounds is excellent in this lake. During the 2019 fall survey, 28% of the bass measured 15 inches or better. Thirteen percent of the bass collected were over 18 inches. This lake receives more fishing pressure for panfish than largemouth bass. The 2019 bass survey was one of the best surveys on record for this lake. Site Regulation: 3 daily limit. | |
Good | The redear population shows more promise than the bluegill population. Redear sunfish over 9 inches are present. | |
Location: This lake is located within Lake Murphysboro State Park just west of Murphysboro in Jackson County off of State Route 149.
Description: Built in 1950, this 145-acre lake has a shoreline length of 7.5 miles and a maximum depth of 36 feet. Lake Murphysboro has a 10 HP motor limit. Within Lake Murphysboro State Park, there are three campgrounds adjacent to the Lake.
Additional Lake Information: With a 10 HP motor limit and no swimming allowed, Lake Murphysboro receives very little recreational boat traffic throughout the year. There are two boat ramps available for use. There are no concessions at Lake Murphysboro State Park. 2 pole and line fishing only.
FISHING TOURNAMENTS: Tournaments are limited to a maximum of 8 boats.
FISH ATTRACTORS – Maps of Lake Murphysboro fish attractor locations can be obtained via email by sending a request to Shawn.Hirst@Illinois.gov
Site Regulations:
Largemouth bass: 3 fish daily limit
Channel catfish: 6 fish daily limit
Contact Information: Lake Murphysboro State Park 618-684-2867IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Shawn Hirst618-559-5009
There were 8 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2019.
| Species | Total Fish Caught |
| Largemouth Bass | 269 |
Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2019 tournaments:
| 1 6.06 lbs | 2 6.02 lbs | 3 5.71 lbs | 4 5.55 lbs | 5 5.48 lbs |
Top 5 Bag Weights of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2019 tournaments:
| 1 | 172.13 lbs |
| 2 | 69.39 lbs |
| 3 | 57.19 lbs |
| 4 | 49.72 lbs |
| 5 | 49.44 lbs |
Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.
Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.
| 2020 Approved or Pending Tournaments | ||||||||
| Start Date | ID | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? | Open to Public? |
| July-25 | 16614 | Approved | Main Ramp Concession (8 boat maximum) | boathook | 8 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
| July-26 | 15026 | Approved | Main Ramp Concession (8 boat maximum) | boathook | 8 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| August-02 | 15826 | Approved | Main Ramp Concession (8 boat maximum) | boathook | 8 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| August-15 | 16615 | Approved | Main Ramp Concession (8 boat maximum) | boathook | 8 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
| August-16 | 16523 | Approved | Main Ramp Concession (8 boat maximum) | bankhook | 0 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
| August-23 | 15880 | Approved | Main Ramp Concession (8 boat maximum) | boathook | 7 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
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