Kinkaid Lake

Kinkaid Lake

Size
2,343ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
No
Species in Kinkaid Lake
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Crappie
Crappie
White bass
White bass
Walleye
Walleye
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Bluegill
Bluegill
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Blue catfish
Blue catfish
Spotted bass
Spotted bass
Striped Bass
Striped Bass

Overview

Deep, clear water surrounded by sandstone bluffs makes this one of the most scenic lakes in Illinois. Largemouth and muskie are the primary quarry. Deep weedlines are key targets for anglers. 2,750 acres

Kinkaid Lake Map

Features

Kincaid Lake is a superb fishing resource for several species, including largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, walleye, and muskie. It is a popular bass tournament lake and crappie angling pressure is high. The installation of a retention barrier to prevent fish from going over the spillway is an exciting development that will benefit gamefish and panfish populations alike.--Muskie anglers are urged to avoid targeting fish during the summer months, mid-June to mid-September, because of high water temperatures. Fish caught and released in temperatures in the 80's and low 90's are doomed to die because of stress. They are unable to recover in warm water temperatures.--Special size and bag limits are imposed for several species; check the current Illinois fishing information booklet for details.--Two no-wake areas include Raymond Neck (east of Paul Ice Access) and the main lake west of Thompson Neck. Kinkaid Village Harbor is protected with a wave reduction boom that also indicates a no-wake area. No-boat buoys are placed near beaches and the spillway. All of the main lake bays and coves are marked with no-wake buoys.--Siltation has occurred on the northwest side as far south as Allen Island. Depths are shallower than shown on hydrographic charts.

Forage

Gizzard shad are the most abundant forage, but can grow beyond a usable size. As other reservoirs with a shad prey base, they drive the entire ecosystem. Threadfin shad have been stocked in recent years because they remain small in size and are used by gamefish and panfish. Young-of-the-year panfish and brooks silversides are important components. Gizzard shad and spotted sucker are important forage components for muskie. Mayflies are used by nearly all species at times of abundance. Crayfish are abundant.
Waterbody poster background

logo

Get Your Line in the Right Water

Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.

Fish Species

Blue catfish
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Bluegill
fish
7-22 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Mar
2024
Mar
Channel catfish
fish
7-22 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Mar
2024
Mar
Crappie
fish
7-22 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Mar
2024
Mar
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202416
202315
202117
201917
201815
Flathead catfish
fish
7-22 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Mar
2024
Mar
Largemouth bass
fish
7-22 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Mar
2024
Mar
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized largemouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202421
202321
202221
202121
201921
Muskellunge
fish
7-22 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Mar
2024
Mar
Smallmouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Spotted bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Striped Bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
15-25 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2017
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2017
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2017
Mar
White bass
fish
7-22 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Mar
2024
Mar
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized white-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202317
202117