Island Lake (Burning Star) Fishing
Sized by IDNR at 216 acres, this lake lies in Jackson County.
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Island Lake (Burning Star), measured out for Illinois anglers
216 acres of lake water make up Island Lake (Burning Star), which IDNR places in Jackson County. Supplies are closest in Elkville, about 3 miles by straight line.
The IDNR launch layer marks 2 boat ramps at this water. The digest names it among the site-specific waters.
Acres as listed on the IDNR IFishIllinois page (printed only where the page text gives the same size); depth only where the IDNR text states a maximum depth. IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
IDNR page details for Island Lake (Burning Star)
- Location (IDNR)Island Lake is located within the Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area in Jackson County just north of DeSoto. From State Highway 51, turn onto Keeling Cemetery Road and follow the signs to the parking area and boat launch. There is a single lane concrete boat ramp.
- Description (IDNR)There is a single lane concrete boat ramp at this 216 acre lake.
Facilities IDNR checks off at Island Lake (Burning Star)
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessNo
- Boat FishingYes – No wake only
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingNo
- PicnickingNo
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
Everything above is IDNR wording for Island Lake (Burning Star).
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR-rated fish swimming in Island Lake (Burning Star)
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| White Crappie | Poor | No White Crappie were collected in the 2024 survey. |
| Largemouth Bass | Poor | This Lake is connected to the Little Muddy River and the fish population resembles the Little River Muddy River's fish population. Lots of rough species (buffalo, gar, carp, etc). As a result the bass population is poor. |
| White Bass | Fair | Three White Bass (12-16 inches) were collected in the 2024 survey. |
| Flathead Catfish | Fair | No Flathead Catfish were collected in the 2024 survey. However, Flathead Catfish have been caught in this lake. |
| Redear Sunfish | Poor | No Redear Sunfish were collected in the 2024 survey. |
| Bluegill | Poor | No Bluegill over 7 inches were collected in the 2024 survey. |
| Black Crappie | Poor | Only one Black Crappie (ten inches) was collected in the 2024 spring survey. |
| Channel Catfish | Fair | No Channel Catfish were collected in the 2024 survey. However, Channel Catfish have been caught in this lake. |
IDNR sources tie these fish to Island Lake (Burning Star): outlook, stocking or a record.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
For the white crappie herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 The fishery record of Island Lake (Burning Star)
- IDNRAnnual fish sampling began in the spring of 2024. Island Lake is attached to the Little Muddy River. Any species found in the Little Muddy River is also found in Island Lake, including Silver Carp. No spring survey was completed in 2025 as a result of sustained flooding/high water preventing access to Island Lake during the Spring of 2025. Management opportunities (stocking) at this lake are limited due to the …
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Getting a boat into Island Lake (Burning Star)
- Burning Star – Island Lake Boat Rampgravel ramp, gravel ramp
- Island Lake Boat Rampfee noted, Fee required to launch
Backup launches if the Island Lake (Burning Star) lot is full
- Burning Star – Long Lake Boat RampLong Lake (Burning Star), 1 mile south
- Burning Star – Blazer Lake Boat RampBlazer Lake (Burning Star), 3 miles southeast
- Crab Orchard Lake Playport Marina Boat RampCrab Orchard Lake, 10 miles south
- Crab Orchard Lake West End Boat RampCrab Orchard Lake, 10 miles south
- Crab Orchard Lake Prairie Creek Access Boat RampCrab Orchard Lake, 10 miles southeast
- Christopher Old City Lake Boat RampChristopher Old City Lake, 11 miles northeast
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Fish allowed in the cooler at Island Lake (Burning Star)
| Species group | Daily limit | Statewide rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | 1 per 24 hours | Harvest limit is 1 Alligator Gar per 24 hours. |
| Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Other Sunfish | no limit | There are no harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Crappie (White, Black or Hybrid Crappie) | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Lake Sturgeon | no possession | Protected; No possession. |
| Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass | 6 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including Golconda Marina), and Wabash Rivers, the d |
| Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and their Hybrid | muskellunge 1, northern pike 3 | All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36" in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified u |
| Paddlefish | 2 | Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. |
| Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their Hybrids | no limit under 17 inches; 3 at 17 inches or longer | There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids, which are less than 17" in total length, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17" in total le |
| Trout and Salmon | 5 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. |
| Walleye, Sauger, or their Hybrid | 6 (combined) | All Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid (Saugeye) taken must be 14" in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Wabash River, or except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid, either |
Statewide limits hold on Island Lake (Burning Star) except where its own entry differs.
Site-specific rules for Island Lake (Burning Star)
- CLOSED FISHING SEASON (all lakes and ponds within Burning Star):
- Fishing is prohibited from November 1 through the end of February.
- There is no horsepower boat motor restriction but all boats must operate at no wake speed.
- (all lakes and ponds within Burning Star)
- :
- Recreational Use Restriction: Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (see above)
- All
- Fish: 2 pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more
Site-specific regulations on the IFishIllinois page, as printed, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. IDNR license fees (ifishillinois.org), read November 4, 2026.
Illinois lakes clustered around Island Lake (Burning Star)
For more room, Blazer Lake (Burning Star) has 123 acres on its IDNR page.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Lake (Burning Star) | 216 | 2 | White Crappie | ||
| Long Lake (Burning Star) | 1 mile south | 42 | 1 | Redear Sunfish | |
| Shop Lake (Burning Star) | 3 miles southeast | 24 | 0 | Channel Catfish | |
| Blazer Lake (Burning Star) | 3 miles southeast | 123 | 1 | Bluegill | |
| Long Cut Lake (DuQuoin Fairgrounds) | 8 miles north | 40 | 0 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Christopher Old City Lake | 11 miles northeast | not printed | 1 | Channel Catfish |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Near Island Lake (Burning Star)
A second lake for the day after Island Lake (Burning Star)
- Long Lake (Burning Star)1 mile south
- Shop Lake (Burning Star)3 miles southeast
- Blazer Lake (Burning Star)3 miles southeast
- Long Cut Lake (DuQuoin Fairgrounds)8 miles north
- Christopher Old City Lake11 miles northeast
Stores with hooks and line around Island Lake (Burning Star)
- Dick's Sporting Goods Carbondalesporting goods store, Carbondale, 10 miles
- Frank's Real Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Gorham, 16 miles
- Rend Lake Fishing Guidesbait and tackle shop, Benton, 16 miles
- Dunn's Sporting Goodsbait and tackle shop, Marion, 17 miles
- G & S Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Benton, 19 miles
- Just Add Water Bait Tackle & Morebait and tackle shop, Marion, 23 miles
Free loaner rods within reach of Island Lake (Burning Star)
- Carbondale Public LibraryCarbondale, 10 miles
- Logan Sallie Public LibraryMurphysboro, 10 miles
- West Frankfort Public LibraryWest Frankfort, 16 miles
- Little Grassy Fish HatcheryMakanda, 16 miles
Town bases for anglers near Island Lake (Burning Star)
- De Soto4 miles
- Royalton5 miles
- Cambria8 miles
Each county Island Lake (Burning Star) touches, with links
- Jackson Countyseat: Murphysboro
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun reels to stow in the truck for Island Lake (Burning Star)
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The ponds and rivers around Island Lake (Burning Star), photographed
Photo: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Mark and Allegra Jaroski-Biava, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Aaron Lucas, CC BY-SA 4.0
Before the tackle box goes in the car for Island Lake (Burning Star)
Where in Illinois is Island Lake (Burning Star)?
Island Lake is located within the Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area in Jackson County just north of DeSoto. From State Highway 51, turn onto Keeling Cemetery Road and follow the signs to the parking area and boat launch. There is a single lane concrete boat ramp. Head for Jackson County, about 3 miles from Elkville.
What size does IDNR list for Island Lake (Burning Star)?
Its IDNR size is 216 acres.
Does Island Lake (Burning Star) have a ramp on the IDNR layer?
Use Burning Star – Island Lake Boat Ramp or another of 2 boat ramps.
How is the fishing at Island Lake (Burning Star)?
IDNR rates white crappie poor; its sources also name largemouth bass, white bass, flathead catfish, redear sunfish and bluegill.
What can I take home from Island Lake (Burning Star)?
Statewide digest row for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass: Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. The same row adds a separate rule for rivers and streams, quoted in the limits band. Check the site-specific rows above as well.
Which IDNR license goes in my wallet at Island Lake (Burning Star)?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Did IDNR inventory a fishing pier at Island Lake (Burning Star)?
Its IDNR facility line reads Family Friendly No; Handicap Access No, with no inventoried pier.
Which counter near Island Lake (Burning Star) keeps a minnow tank?
Head to Dick's Sporting Goods Carbondale, about 10 miles away,.
Plan a morning on Island Lake (Burning Star)
Know what goes in the cooler before you launch.