Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2023

Blacknose Crappie

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

2000

2023

Muskellunge

Adult

2046

2023

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

55274

2024

Walleye

Fingerling 1 - 3"

69283

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Poor

The bluegill population structure is poor. During the 2023 spring electrofishing survey, no bluegill over 8 inches were collected.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Average

Kinkaid Lake has an average channel catfish population. Six channel catfish (14-22 inches) were collected in 2023 survey.

CRAPPIE

Average

Kinkaid Lake is known for producing large crappie. In March 2017, a new state record hybrid crappie was caught at Kinkaid Lake. The crappie measured 18.1 inches in length and weighed 4.55 pounds. It is the largest documented crappie ever caught in Illinois. Fifteen percent of the crappie collected during the spring 2023 survey were over 10 inches. Twenty-six percent of the crappie collected were over 9 inches. As a result of the reduced number of larger crappie collected during the 2021 and 2022 surveys, a new crappie regulation went into effect on April 1, 2023. The new regulation is a 15 crappie per day creel limit of which only 10 can be over 10 inches in length. Site Regulation: White, black, hybrid crappie: there is no longer a minimum size limit on crappie at Kinkaid. You can keep any size combination of 15 crappie but only 10 can be over 10 inches.

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Fair

Surveys indicate that a small number of flathead catfish are present. At least one flathead catfish has been collected in 5 of the last 6 surveys. The only flathead collected in the 2023 survey was 11 inches.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Very Good

Of the bass collected during the 2023 spring survey, 25% were over the minimum 16 inch size limit and 11% were over 18 inches. Six percent of all largemouth bass collected were between 15-16 inches. The largest bass collected in the 2023 survey was 5.5 pounds. Site Regulation: 3 fish daily limit; 16" minimum length limit.

MUSKELLUNGE

Excellent

Kinkaid Lake is one of the premier muskie lakes in Illinois. Muskie are stocked annually and many are caught each year in excess of 40 inches. During the 2023 spring survey, 127 muskies were collected and the largest muskie measured 44 inches in length. Anglers are encouraged to NOT fish for muskie in the warmer summer months as angling mortality is believed to be very high, especially, for larger muskie. Please report tagged Muskie to IDNR Fish Biologist Shawn Hirst at 618-559-5009 or email at Shawn.Hirst@illinois.gov Anglers reporting a tagged muskie will receive information on the history of that fish. If the tag number is covered with algae, simply scrape the algae away with your fingernail or a knife. Please provide tag number (5 digits), length, and catch date. If possible, please do not remove the tag. Site Regulation: 1 fish daily limit; 48" minimum length limit.

REDEAR SUNFISH

Average

The redear population is average. A few redear sunfish over 8 inches are present.

WALLEYE

Fair

IDNR annually stocks walleye into Kinkaid Lake, and fish up to 11 pounds have been collected in netting surveys. Walleye numbers are not high, but trophy-sized fish can be caught. The best areas are in front of the dam and spillway during spring high water events. Only one walleye (22 inches) was collected during 2023 trap netting survey. However, inclement weather and high water flows prevented IDNR from setting the most productive walleye trap net for 3 days out of the 4-day survey. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit; 14" minimum length limit.

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