Jumbo crappies are gonzo on Lake of Egypt, bass hitting suspending stickbaits on Little Grassy in southern Illinois near Marion about 6 hrs. drive south of the Illinois/Wisconsin line down I-39 to i-57..easy drive!
Nephew called at 2 pm Saturday, said he was picking up a few crappies on pool 9. Temp 21 degrees. I was picking up a few SLAB crappies too on Lake of Egypt–temp 71. Crappies hitting pink/white fuzzy-grubs, casting and steady retrieve on 1/8 oz jigs
Bass are just starting to turn on in Little Grassy lake nearby, hitting clown pattern suspending sticks. biggest 19 inches, but LMB over eight pounds caught in this 1000 acre lake regularly…only downside is 10 hp outboard limit
There is no closed season on bass in Illinois. The southern part of the state is an easy day’s drive from the Ill/ Wis border. Fishing in tee shirt vs. snowmobile suit: priceless! PM me if ya want more details. this bite is hot and getting better every day!
When do you want to go?
My family is going to be down there next week for Spring break. We’ll be staying at a campground on Devil’s Kitchen. Have you heard anything from there?
Thanks
Hi there. Longtime lurker and first-time poster on IDA. What made me choose to join the festivities was this thread. Though I now reside in the Twin Cities I grew up in Marion, IL and spent a lot of time on the local lakes pulling LMB. Lake of Egypt is one of many outstanding crappie lakes in So. Illinois. If you’re excited about the action there, think about trying out Rend Lake, near Benton, about 25 miles north of Marion. It is known to us locals as the best crappie lake around.
Little Grassy is a great lake as it’s clear and doesn’t receive alot of pressure. I spent summers there @ Boy Scout camp. Devil’s Kitchen, if I remember correctly, also provides some good trout fishing.
An unusual lake close by is Lake Kincaid, west of Carbondale. This lake hosts a good population of muskies so if you get tired of catching slabs you can break out the big tackle. Not alot of pressure on these creatures in the south.
For the best BBQ in town, stop by Pulley’s south of Marion on your way to the lake. You won’t be disappointed.
Southerner,
I was born and raised in Herrin so we’ll have to compare notes sometime. I rabbit hunted where Rend Lake is now so I am a little older. Every time I go back home I spend part of my time catching up on the Bar-b-que and then the next day it is Fiddlers. Will definitely try Pulley’s. When I was a kid fishing Devil’s Kitchen I don’t think it had trout so that must have been something they added later. My old haunts were Crab Orchard and the Big Muddy River.
Thanks for the welcome, Redneck! Nice to hear from a fellow southerner.
Yeah, I’m pretty familiar w/Crab Orchard but did more skiing out there than I did fishing. Lots of fun back in the ol’ college days!
Never did fish Big Muddy, but did spend plenty of time on the Saline River, SE of Marion. Love that small river fishing except I’d inevitably end up with poison ivy or get scared spitless by walking up on a water snake when wading or crawling around the banks.
They started stocking Devil’s Kitchen w/trout back in the mid-80’s and although I never pursued them I had several friends who did when we were kids.
After moving to MN a few years ago I turned into a multi-species angler. Most often up here you’ll find me on either the St. Croix or Miss Rivers.
Assuming Redneck Jr is your son, you guys have a great time back home this weekend and happy fishing. If you have the time you can find Pulley’s between JC and Marion on 37, or south on 37 toward Lake of Egypt.
Welcome Southerner to IDA