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DEVILS KITCHEN LAKE
Lake Information
County: Williamson
Acreage: 810
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? 10hp
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? No
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
Trout stocked in fall
Click on area names for a more detailed map.
Central,
Dam,
East Arm,
West Arms
Maps are not intended for navigation.
There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2018 |
Rainbow Trout |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 12" |
8971 |
2018 |
Threadfin Shad |
Fingerling 1 - 4 " |
1000 |
2018 |
Yellow Perch |
Fingerling 1 - 4 " |
46000 |
2019 |
Rainbow Trout |
Adult > 12" |
9414 |
Additional information for stocking on DEVILS KITCHEN LAKE
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Good | As usual, bluegill were less abundant than bass during the 2019 Devils Kitchen Lake survey. The bluegill catch rate was 46 per hour of electrofishing. Quality of the bluegill population dipped just below management goals, as demonstrated by 36% over 6 inches and 6% larger than 8 inches. Site Regulation: 8” length limit, 25 per day creel limit (in aggregate). | |
Good | Devils Kitchen Lake has historically contained a bass population consisting of abundant small fish and a few giants, without much in between. Largemouth bass were collected at a rate of 98 per hour in 2019 and 22% were larger than 12 inches, while 3% were larger than 15 inches. Although most bass are generally 9 to 13 inches in length, it is not unusual for bass in the 5 to 10-pound range to show up in spring electrofishing samples and/or tournament weigh-ins. The 2019 survey produced one bass that weighed almost 8 pounds. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small bass to boost the average size of fish in the population Site Regulation: | |
Very Good | Rainbow trout are stocked in Devils Kitchen Lake each fall to maintain the population, and there is no closed season. The Devils Kitchen trout fishery is very popular with the angling public. Possession of an inland trout stamp is required for harvesting rainbow trout. | |
Very Good | The Devils Kitchen redear population remained fairly impressive in spring 2019. Redear abundance was was good, as measured by a catch rate of 40 per hour, and average size of these fish was much larger. Seventy-two percent of redear were larger than 7 inches and 48% exceeded 8 inches. Site Regulation: 8” length limit, 25 per day creel limit (in aggregate). | |
Developing | Yellow perch were “officially” stocked in Devils Kitchen Lake in 2014 for the first time in the lake’s history, and additional stockings were completed through 2019. A small population of perch (of unknown origin) already existed, and was popular, but few fish ever entered anglers’ creels. 3 perch were sampled in the 9-11 inch range in 2019, all good harvestable size. The goal of the yellow perch stocking program is to produce a viable, self-sustaining fishery, and additional fish will be stocked in 2020. | |
Location: Devils Kitchen Lake is a deep, clear, 810-acre impoundment located in the south portion of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge between Marion and Carbondale in Williamson County, Illinois.
Description: The Devils Kitchen Lake fishery is cooperatively managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The lake is mostly surrounded by forest and has three boat ramps. The southern half of Devils Kitchen contains abundant standing timber, and a portion of the lake's southeast end is reserved for electric motors and paddling only.
Additional Lake Information: A ten horsepower outboard motor limit is in effect. A user pass must be purchased prior to accessing Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge waters. The refuge visitor center can be reached by calling 618-997-3344.
Site Regulations:
Largemouth bass – no length limit, 6 per day creel limit.
Bluegill and Redear– 8” length limit, 25 per day creel limit (in aggregate).
Rainbow trout – no length limit, 5 per day creel limit.
Contact Information: Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge: 618-997-3344IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Luke Nelson618-985-1112
There were 8 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2019.
| Species | Total Fish Caught |
| Largemouth Bass | 1185 |
Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2019 tournaments:
| 1 5.88 lbs | 2 5.11 lbs | 3 4.87 lbs | 4 4.81 lbs | 5 3.98 lbs |
Top 5 Bag Weights of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2019 tournaments:
| 1 | 334.41 lbs |
| 2 | 75.94 lbs |
| 3 | 55.81 lbs |
| 4 | 36.94 lbs |
| 5 | 36.54 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? |
| May-02*May-03 | 15107 | Approved | North Ramp | boathook | 100 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
| May-16 | 15693 | Approved | North Ramp | boathook | 8 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| May-17 | 15043 | Approved | Tacoma Lake Lake Ramp (Line 13) | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| September-26 | 15008 | Approved | Tacoma Lake Lake Ramp (Line 13) | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
| October-11 | 15650 | Approved | Tacoma Lake Lake Ramp (Line 13) | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
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