Murphysboro, Lake
Location 145 acres
Fishing Outlook
Channel Catfish
Excellent
Eighteen channel catfish (11-21 inches) were collected in the 2025 survey. Channel catfish (1450 6-inch fish) were stocked in 2025. Channel catfish are stocked annually into Lake Murphysboro when available. These annual stockings have produced excellent angling opportunities for 2-5 pound Channel Catfish. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit.
Crappie spp.
Good
Lake Murphysboro has a good crappie population consisting of both black and white crappie. Of the crappie collected in the 2025 fall electrofishing survey, 69% were over nine inches in length and 5% were over 10 inches in length. The largest crappie collected was a 12 inch black crappie that weighed just under 1 pound.
Largemouth Bass
Very Good
The opportunity to catch bass over 15 inches and weighing 2–3 pounds is excellent in this lake. During the 2025 fall survey, 24% of the bass measured 15 inches or better. Nine percent of the bass collected were over 18 inches. This lake receives more fishing pressure for panfish than largemouth bass. Eight bass over 4 pounds were collected in the 2025 survey with the largest bass weighing 5.8 pounds. Site Regulation: 3 daily limit.
Bluegill
Fair
The Bluegill population structure can only be described as average. No Bluegill over 8 inches have been collected in previous surveys at this lake.
Redear Sunfish
Good
The redear population shows more promise than the bluegill population. While not numerous, redear sunfish over 8 inches are present. Some redear sunfish over 9 inches are observed during fisheries surveys at Lake Murphysboro.
Flathead Catfish
Poor
Flathead Catfish are present in Lake Murphysboro and have been collected in the last 8 surveys. Two Flathead Catfish (37-39 inches) were collected in the 2025 survey. The largest weighed 31 pounds.
| 2025 | Bluegill | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 22374 |
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 1450 |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | NonVulnerable (8 - 10") | 1470 |
| 2023 | Channel Catfish | NonVulnerable (8 - 10") | 1450 |
Contact
618-684-2867
Description
Built in 1950, this 145-acre lake has a shoreline length of 7.5 miles and a maximum depth of 36 feet. There are three campgrounds within Lake Murphysboro State Park. No concessions are available and swimming is not allowed.
Fishery History
FISH ATTRACTORS – Lake Murphysboro fish attractor map are located at the bottom of this page. All of the Lake Murphysboro fish attractor sites are Christmas trees.
Channel Catfish are stocked annually when available.
Site Regulations
All boat motors over 10 horsepower must operate at no-wake speed.
FISHING TOURNAMENTS: Fishing tournaments are limited to a maximum of 8 boats and must be held at the Concession Boat Ramp.
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
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Additional Information
Planning to eat your catch? Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory PageBath Map
Fish Attractor Map
