Devils Kitchen Lake
Location 810 acres
Fishing Outlook
Yellow Perch
Developing
Yellow Perch were “officially” stocked in Devils Kitchen Lake in 2014 for the first time in the lake’s history, and additional stockings were completed through 2022. A small population of perch (of unknown origin) already existed, and was popular, but few fish ever entered anglers’ creels. Four perch were sampled in 2023, 7 to 11 inches long. The goal of the Yellow Perch stocking program is to produce a viable, self-sustaining fishery, and additional fish will be stocked in 2023.
Largemouth Bass
Fair
Devils Kitchen Lake has historically contained a bass population consisting of abundant small fish and a few giants, without much in between. Largemouth Bass were collected at a rate of 188 per hour in 2022 and 9% were larger than 12 inches, while 2% were larger than 15 inches. Although most bass are generally 9 to 13 inches in length, it is not unusual for bass in the 5 to 10-pound range to show up in spring electrofishing samples and/or tournament weigh-ins. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small bass to boost the average size of fish in the population Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit.
Rainbow Trout
Very Good
Rainbow Trout are stocked in Devils Kitchen Lake each fall to maintain the population, and there is no closed season. The Devils Kitchen trout fishery is very popular with the angling public. Possession of an inland trout stamp is required for harvesting Rainbow Trout. Site Regulation: Rainbow Trout – no length limit, 5 per day creel limit.
Bluegill
Very Good
As usual, Bluegill were less abundant than bass during the 2022 Devils Kitchen Lake survey. The Bluegill catch rate was 45 per hour of electrofishing. Quality of the Bluegill population continued to climb above management goals, as demonstrated by 77% over 6 inches and 11% larger than 8 inches. Site Regulation: 25 per day creel limit (in aggregate).
Redear Sunfish
Very Good
The Devils Kitchen redear population remained fairly impressive in spring 2022. Redear abundance was was good, as measured by a catch rate of 63 per hour, and average size of these fish was much larger. Seventy-one percent of redear were larger than 7 inches and 36% exceeded 8 inches. Site Regulation: 25 per day creel limit (in aggregate).
| 2025 | Rainbow Trout | Adult | 3703 |
| 2025 | Rainbow Trout | NonVulnerable (8 - 10") | 4009 |
| 2024 | Rainbow Trout | Adult | 11593 |
| 2024 | Yellow Perch | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 6300 |
| 2023 | Rainbow Trout | Adult | 4512 |
Contact
618-997-3344
Description
The Devils Kitchen Lake fishery is cooperatively managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The lake is mostly surrounded by forest and has three boat ramps. The southern half of Devils Kitchen contains abundant standing timber, and a portion of the lake's southeast end is reserved for electric motors and paddling only.Site Regulations
A 10 horsepower outboard motor limit is in effect. A user pass must be purchased prior to accessing Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge waters. The refuge visitor center can be reached by calling 618-997-3344.
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations:
- All Fish: 2 pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached while fishing
- Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Rainbow Trout: 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit (statewide regulation)
Additional Information
Planning to eat your catch? Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory PageBath Map
