Kinkaid Lake Fishing
A lake in Jackson County, 2,750 acres by IDNR.
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Sizing up Kinkaid Lake
Look for Kinkaid Lake in Jackson County: a lake that IDNR sizes at 2,750 acres. IDNR writes that it bottoms out near 80 feet. Ava lies roughly 5 miles off, the handiest Census place.
Boaters get 4 boat ramps from the IDNR map. Its limits differ from the statewide table in places.
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.
From the IFishIllinois page on Kinkaid Lake
- Location (IDNR)Kinkaid Lake is located in Jackson County 3 miles northwest of Murphysboro off of State Route 149.
- Description (IDNR)There are five public boat ramps facilities around the Lake. Please note that Sharp Rock Falls Boat Ramp and Port of Ava Boat Ramps should only be utilized by boaters using canoes, kayaks and possibly smaller Jon boats. Kinkaid Lake is 2750 acres in size, has a shoreline length of 82 miles, and a maximum depth of 80 feet. Kinkaid Lake receives a tremendous amount of recreational boat traffic during the hot …
Amenities on the IDNR page for Kinkaid Lake
- Family FriendlyYes
- Handicap AccessNo
- Boat FishingYes – Unrestricted
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingYes
- SwimmingYes
- Trout StockingNo
The rows above quote the IDNR page for Kinkaid Lake.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR survey ratings for Kinkaid Lake
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | Average | Kinkaid Lake has an average Channel Catfish population. Seven channel catfish (17-24 inches) were collected in 2025 survey. |
| Redear Sunfish | Average | The redear population is average. A few redear sunfish over 8 inches are observed during fisheries surveys. |
| Flathead Catfish | Fair | Surveys indicate that a small number of flathead catfish are present. At least one flathead catfish has been collected in 7 of the last 8 surveys. Three Flathead Catfish (8-16 inches) were collected in the 2025 spring… |
| Walleye | Poor | Despite annual stockings the Walleye population in Kinkaid is considered poor. Very few walleye are observed during fisheries surveys and/or or caught by anglers. The best areas are in front of the dam and spillway… |
| Crappie spp. | Average | Kinkaid Lake is known for producing large crappie. Many of the larger crappie caught appear to be hybrid crappie. In March 2017, a new state record hybrid crappie was caught at Kinkaid Lake. The crappie measured 18.1… |
| Largemouth Bass | Very Good | Largemouth bass were collected at a rate of 141 bass per hour during the 2025 spring survey. Of the 564 bass collected during the 2025 spring survey, 12% were over the minimum 16 inch size limit and 4% were over 18… |
| Muskellunge | Good | 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 2025 spring survey, 48 muskies were collected and the largest… |
| Bluegill | Poor | The Bluegill population structure is poor. Bluegill over 8 inches are rarely seen during fisheries surveys. |
The best IDNR grade at Kinkaid Lake goes to largemouth bass: very good.
Each species named here comes from the IDNR page, the stocking table or the record list for Kinkaid Lake; it is not a creel count.
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.
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- IDNR: If you catch a tagged Muskie please report tag information to the Department of Natural Resources at 618-559-5009. Please provide tag number, length of Muskie, and catch date.
- : See below for the Kinkaid Lake fish attractor map at the bottom of this page. There were at least 10 PVC porcupine ball fish attractors placed at each of the 50 locations at Kinkaid Lake. There are also two Shelbyville Cube-style fish attractors at each of the 50 sites.
- Muskie are stocked annually when available.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Concrete and gravel ramps on Kinkaid Lake
- Kinkaid Lake Johnson Creek Boat Ramplaunch
- Kinkaid Lake Paul Ice Boat Ramplaunch
- Kinkaid Lake Port of Ava Canoe/Kayak Launchlaunch, Canoes and kayaks only
- Kinkaid Lake Sharp Rock Falls Canoe/Kayak Launchlaunch, Canoes and kayaks only
Other ramps when Kinkaid Lake is crowded
- Lake Murphysboro Concessionaire Boat RampLake Murphysboro, 6 miles southeast
- Lake Murphysboro Shady Cove Boat RampLake Murphysboro, 6 miles southeast
- Pyramid Denmark – Blue Wing Lake Boat RampBlue Wing Lake (Pyramid State Park), 11 miles north
- Pyramid Denmark – Canvasback Lake Boat Ramp on Black Duck Lake (Pyramid State Park)Black Duck Lake (Pyramid State Park), 12 miles north
- Pyramid Denmark – Green Wing Lake Boat RampGreen Wing Lake (Pyramid State Park), 12 miles north
- Pyramid Captain – Blue Goose Lake Boat RampBlue Goose Lake (Pyramid State Park), 13 miles north
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Tie-up docks and fillet stations at Kinkaid Lake
- Lovets Pond Boat Dockboat dock, near Lovets Pond
These Kinkaid Lake entries are IDNR assets as inventoried in 2019, not a current service list.
IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
Mapped depths at Kinkaid Lake
- Kinkaid Lake Fish and WildlifeIDNR depth map
- Kinkaid Lake Johnson CreekIDNR depth map
- Kinkaid Lake MarinaIDNR depth map
- Kinkaid Lake Thompson NeckIDNR depth map
- Kinkaid Lake Wilson Schneider BayIDNR depth map
Find 5 depth maps of Kinkaid Lake on IFishIllinois.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Fingerlings and adults IDNR added to Kinkaid Lake
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Muskellunge | 2,026 | Adult |
| 2025 | Muskellunge | 1,015 | Adult |
| 2025 | Walleye | 55,028 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 2,013 | Adult |
| 2024 | Walleye | 69,283 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Blacknose Crappie | 2,000 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | 2,046 | Adult |
| 2023 | Walleye | 55,274 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Blacknose Crappie | 2,480 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Largemouth Bass | 500 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2022 | Muskellunge | 2,091 | Adult |
| 2022 | Walleye | 58,956 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
IDNR records these Kinkaid Lake stockings by year only.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
Bag and length rules posted at Kinkaid Lake
| 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 |
At Kinkaid Lake a site-specific digest line beats the statewide row.
Local digest rules for Kinkaid Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Kinkaid Lake | All Fish | All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4) |
| Kinkaid Lake | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 16 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
| Kinkaid Lake | Pure Muskellunge | 48 inch Minimum Length Limit (10) |
| Kinkaid Lake | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 Fish greater than or equal to 10 inches |
- Code 4When using live bait, all live bait in excess of 8" in total length shall be rigged with a quick set rig. The hook shall be immediately set upon the strike. A quick set rig is defined as follows: a live bait rig with up to 2 treble hooks attached …
- Code 10The 48 inch total length limit on pure muskellunge applies to that body of water listed as well as any tailwaters as defined below: Evergreen Lake (McLean County) – including the portion of Six Mile Creek below the Evergreen Lake Dam downstream to its …
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 36, 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.
State marks set on Kinkaid Lake
| Species | Weight | Division | Date | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Crappie x White Crappie | 4 lbs 8.8 oz | hook and line | March 28, 2017 | Jackson |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
Kinkaid Lake set beside other downstate lakes
Lake Murphysboro covers the most water in this group: 145 acres by IDNR.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinkaid Lake | 2,750 | 80 | 4 | Channel Catfish | |
| Lake Murphysboro | 6 miles southeast | 145 | 36 | 3 | Channel Catfish |
| Lesser Scaup Lake (Pyramid State Park) | 11 miles north | 5.0 | 0 | Bluegill | |
| Blue Wing Lake (Pyramid State Park) | 11 miles north | 46 | 1 | Crappie spp. | |
| Mallard Lake (Pyramid State Park) | 11 miles north | 66 | 1 | White Bass | |
| Shoveler Lake (Pyramid State Park) | 11 miles north | 9.0 | 0 | Largemouth Bass |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Around the Kinkaid Lake shoreline
Other lakes an Illinois Tollway exit or two from Kinkaid Lake
- Lake Murphysboro6 miles southeast
- Lesser Scaup Lake (Pyramid State Park)11 miles north
- Blue Wing Lake (Pyramid State Park)11 miles north
- Mallard Lake (Pyramid State Park)11 miles north
- Shoveler Lake (Pyramid State Park)11 miles north
Buy bait on the way to Kinkaid Lake
- Frank's Real Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Gorham, 5 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Carbondalesporting goods store, Carbondale, 16 miles
IDNR loaner tackle close to Kinkaid Lake
- Logan Sallie Public LibraryMurphysboro, 8 miles
- Carbondale Public LibraryCarbondale, 15 miles
- Steeleville Public LibrarySteeleville, 16 miles
- Chester Public LibraryChester, 20 miles
Prairie State towns that sit near Kinkaid Lake
- Murphysboro8 miles
- De Soto13 miles
- Carbondale15 miles
Illinois counties along Kinkaid Lake
- Jackson Countyseat: Murphysboro
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun picks ahead of a trip to Kinkaid Lake
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A photo field guide to Kinkaid Lake fish
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Richard Hurd, CC BY 2.0
Kinkaid Lake: what Prairie State anglers want settled
Which Illinois county is Kinkaid Lake in?
Kinkaid Lake is located in Jackson County 3 miles northwest of Murphysboro off of State Route 149. You will find it in Jackson County, about 5 miles from Ava.
How much surface does Kinkaid Lake have by IDNR count?
The IFishIllinois figure is 2,750 acres, and the IDNR text gives a 80 foot maximum depth.
How many IDNR-mapped ramps touch Kinkaid Lake?
Kinkaid Lake Johnson Creek Boat Ramp is among 4 boat ramps.
What does IDNR say is biting at Kinkaid Lake?
IDNR rates channel catfish as average; redear sunfish, flathead catfish, walleye, largemouth bass and muskellunge also appear in its sources.
Does Kinkaid Lake have special regulations?
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. Its own digest entry sits in the limits band too.
Does a visitor need a license at Kinkaid Lake?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Can a bank caster do well at Kinkaid Lake?
The IDNR flags say Family Friendly Yes; Handicap Access No; no pier is on its asset list.
Which Illinois tackle counter is nearest Kinkaid Lake?
Frank's Real Bait Shop, about 5 miles away, tops the shop list.
Which record row names Kinkaid Lake?
Black Crappie x White Crappie at 4 lbs 8.8 oz (hook and line division, March 28, 2017) is the heaviest entry IDNR lists for Kinkaid Lake; IDNR prints no angler names.
Take the county blacktop out to Kinkaid Lake
Every 2026 fee and limit is a click away.