The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Kinkaid Lake
Jackson County, Illinois · 2,750 acres (4.3 sq mi)
63°F water, calm this morning.
About Kinkaid Lake
In Jackson County, Illinois, Kinkaid Lake covers 2,750 acres; it is a reservoir. It sits on the Kinkaid Creek. Kinkaid Lake, formed by damming Kinkaid Creek in 1972, is the deepest lake in southern Illinois at about 80 feet.
It stretches about 6.4 miles end to end with roughly 31 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 420 ft above sea level. It reaches about 80 ft at its deepest. Murphysboro is about 4.5 miles east.
- Size
- 2,750 acres (4.3 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 80 ft
- Shoreline
- About 31 miles
- End to end
- About 6.4 miles
- Elevation
- About 420 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- River
- Kinkaid Creek
- County
- Jackson County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Good
- 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise
- 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 12 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise · wind 3 mph
- 3:15 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 2 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Kinkaid Lake
Kinkaid Lake holds largemouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill and sunfish, crappie, catfish, walleye, muskie and white bass. With the surface at 63°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodLargemouth bass
Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
- GoodSpotted bass
Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
- FairBluegill and sunfish
Warming. Shallow, sunny pockets in the afternoon.
- GoodCrappie
Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Back of a cove
Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
6 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
No clear view of the ice yet
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:36 am · sunset 4:47 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Kinkaid Lake
- Murphysboroabout 4.5 mi east
- De Sotoabout 9.4 mi east
- Carbondaleabout 11 mi east
- Steelevilleabout 14 mi northwest
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Questions about Kinkaid Lake
What fish are in Kinkaid Lake?
Kinkaid Lake holds largemouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill and sunfish, crappie, catfish, walleye, muskie and white bass. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Kinkaid Lake?
About 80 ft at the deepest point. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Kinkaid Lake?
2,750 acres, with about 31 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Kinkaid Lake?
Murphysboro is about 4.5 miles east; De Soto is about 9.4 miles east.
What is the water temperature at Kinkaid Lake today?
The surface was about 63°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Kinkaid Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
