State-managed reservoir

Kinkaid Lake

Jackson County, Illinois

Kinkaid Lake is a 2,750-acre reservoir near Murphysboro in Jackson County, managed as Kinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area. IDNR describes it as one of the premier muskie lakes in Illinois, with strong largemouth bass and crappie fisheries.

Air temp in Ava, IL Loading current temperature…

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Kinkaid Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area2,750 acres

Max depth80 ft

Shoreline82 mi

Boat motorsUnlimited horsepower (50 mph daytime, 25 mph sunset to sunrise)

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Muskellunge●●●●●

Big baits along weed edges and rock bars, best in fall.

Largemouth Bass●●●●○

Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.

Crappie●●●●○

Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.

Channel Catfish●●●○○

Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.

Flathead Catfish●●●○○

Live bait around wood and rock at night.

Walleye●●○○○

Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.

Boat launches

3 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

Mt. Joy (Main Marina) boat launchRamp
Free public launch owned by IDNR, Marina Rd, MurphysboroDirections ↗
Kinkaid Lake Villages MarinaMarina
2063 Marina Rd, Murphysboro; (618) 687-4914; fuel dock April 1 - Oct 31Directions ↗
More public accessPublic
See the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.

Species	Min size	Daily limit
Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass	16 in	3 / day
Muskellunge	48 in	1 / day
Crappie (white, black, hybrid) No more than 10 fish 10 in or longer		25 / day

Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Illinois Department of Natural Resources ↗

Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Rose's Boat, Motor & Bait ShopNearby
15875 Hwy 149, Murphysboro(618) 967-7495 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Kinkaid Lake ↗

Local tips

A 3-mile no-wake zone covers the northwest portion of the lake.
Live bait over 8 inches requires a quick-set rig.
Tournaments of more than 40 boats are not allowed June through August.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.

More Illinois lakes

Lake Shelbyville Fox Chain O'Lakes Crab Orchard Lake Clinton Lake Lake Springfield Lake Decatur Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) Horseshoe Lake (Alexander County) All Illinois lakes →

Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.