About Crab Orchard Refuge
One of the most popular lakes in southern Illinois for fishing, hunting, and boating is located within the heart of Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Anglers on this lake enjoy excellent fishing for such species as largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, and rod breaking catfish.
Trophy bass anglers point their boat towards Crab Orchard Lake each spring. This 6.900 acre lake gives up numerous 4-7 pound bass. Spinner baits, jig-n-pig, and plastic worms take their share of the lunker bass from February through May. However, after spawning the bass move off the points and are taken on crankbaits and plastic worms. Memorial Day weekend signals the start of the summer bass patterns. Many of the bass caught on this lake will average close to two pounds. Bass anglers can keep bass 15 inches or larger.
Anglers that like bass fishing can take them and other fish species at the Visitor pond, A-41 fishing area, Bluegill pond, Managers pond, North Pasture Pond, Old SIU ponds, and Blue Heron pond on the refuge property. The Visitor pond has a 21-inch bass minimum limit and all other ponds have a 15-inch bass minimum limit length. Stop by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Visitorís Center on Route 148 for a map of all these ponds.
Crappie fishing is excellent on this lake with many stringers full of 1-2 pound fish. These tasty pan friers are caught on jigs and/or minnows. When the dogwoods start blooming in mid-April, the crappie move to the shoreline to start their spawning. Nice stringers of crappie are taken on minnows around beaver huts and brush piles. Fall crappie fishing is very good near underwater brush piles and stumps. The Fish and Wildlife Service has placed many fish attractors around the lake for the anglers. A fishing map showing the fish attractors is available from the refuge by calling (618) 997-3344.
Catfishermen love this lake for the large channel cats and flatheads, which are taken from this lake May through October. Trotlines, jugs, and pole and line fishing are popular methods of taking the catfish which average 2 Ω pounds in weight. Bring your favorite cheese baits, cut shad, liver, and shrimp for these fish. This lake also offers good bullhead fishing during the summer and fall.
The lake offers camping, picnic areas, and motels only minutes away and approximately a dozen paved or gravel launch ramps. Two full-service marinas are found on the lake.
