KINKAID LAKE BASS FISHING

Usually thought of as a muskie and largemouth bass lake, Kinkaid does have a growing population of smallmouth bass.

Due to the heavy recreational boating traffic in summer, the best opportunity for catching a lunker on this lake comes in spring. The fish in this lake seem to be slow growing but they do live to ripe old ages.  The average largemouth is about 1.2 pounds and 13-inches in length.

The legal size keeper, either largemouth or smallmouth, must be over 18-inches in length.

Smallmouth bass introduced into the lake beginning in 2005 produced legal size fish over 18-inches in angler creels during 2012. An additional 5,500 smallies were released in 2013.  Fishing is good with the average fish in the population being about 8-inches in length and tipping the scales at .3 pounds.  Look for them in the areas between the new revetment and emerging weeds.

Bass inhabit deeper locations due in part to the boat traffic patterns and heavy angler pressure. Deeper, that is, than would be expected of most bass in this area and time of the year.  In recent years the IDNR, with the assistance of local anglers, has placed porcupine fish attractors in about 50 locations.  Maps showing their locations are available from local bait shops, at Lake Murphysboro State Park or upon request from the local IDNR Fisheries Manager at Shawn.Hirst@illinois.gov.

Kinkaid Lake is a 2,750-acre lake just northwest of Murphysboro in Jackson County just off Illinois Route 149. There are three public boat launching facilities with the largest one being next to the marina at the south end of the lake near the dam.

Topwater lures produce fun fishing action off the bank. If the water warms later in the month try topwater lures.  Light color spinnerbaits produce fish.