Little Grassy Lake
Little Grassy Lake is a 1,200-acre lake in Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, reached by Giant City Road near Carbondale. It is known for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
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.
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Little Grassy Lake refuge accessPublicRefuge boat access and bank fishing; the marina and campground are permanently closed and the lake is being drawn down for dam repairsDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Little Grassy Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Illinois Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Little Grassy Lake ↗Local tips
- The lake is being drawn down for dam repair, so check with Crab Orchard refuge for current water levels and ramp use.
- Outboards are limited to 10 horsepower and a refuge permit is needed.
- Alternatives nearby include Crab Orchard Lake and Devil's Kitchen Lake.
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 Kinkaid Lake Horseshoe Lake (Madison County) All Illinois lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.