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PYRAMID-REDHEAD LAKE


Lake Information

County: Perry

Acreage: 55

Average Depth: 0.00 feet

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? Unlimited Motor/No Wake

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? No

Swimming? No


There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Average

Bluegill are abundant in Redhead Lake. The majority of Bluegill collected during surveys are between 4 and 7 inches. About 17% of Bluegill captured during the 2023 electrofishing survey were between 7 and 8 inches, but none were over 8 inches.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Very Good

Redhead Lake is home to a quality Channel Catfish fishery. Big Channel Cats are frequently captured during surveys. The largest collected during the 2023 survey was 28 inches long and weighed 10.4 lbs.

CRAPPIE

Very Good

The majority of Crappie in Redhead Lake are White Crappie, with a smaller number of Black Crappie and hybrids present. White Crappie demonstrate excellent growth potential in Redhead Lake. During the 2023 survey, there were several Crappie over 12 inches collected, two of which were over 14 inches and about 1.7 lbs. Several brush piles have been sunk into the lake to provide structure for Crappie anglers.

HYBRID STRIPED BASS (WIPERS)

Very Good

Thanks to past stockings, Redhead Lake is known to provide good angling opportunities for Hybrid Striped Bass (Wipers). During the 2023 survey, a total of 35 Wipers were captured. Fish in the sample ranged from 13 to over 26 inches in length. The largest individual was 26.6 inches long and weighed 11.3 lbs. The most recent stocking was in 2021. Future stockings will occur each year that sufficient numbers are available from the state hatchery system.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

In general, Redhead Lake does not contain as many quality-size bass as other larger lakes in Pyramid, such as Super, Goldeneye, and Canvasback. However, the 2023 electrofishing survey still produced a respectable sample of bass, which were captured at a good rate of 135/hour. About 1/3 of bass were over 15 inches, while 9% were over 18 inches. The largest bass collected was 5.2 lbs.

SAUGEYE (Walleye/Sauger Hybrid)

Developing

Redhead Lake is relatively fertile and supports a dense stock of Gizzard Shad, which appear to grow quickly and to large sizes. Therefore, there should be plenty of forage available to support an additional predator. Given the popularity of the Saugeye stocking program in Mallard Lake, Saugeye will also be stocked in Redhead beginning in 2024 if sufficient numbers are available for stocking from the state hatchery system.

Location: Pyramid State Park is located south of Pinckneyville in Perry County. Redhead Lake is a strip cut lake located on the Galum Section of Pyramid State Park. The Galum Section is accessed off Panda Bear Road. From State Route 127 head west on Pyatt-Cutler Road. About 6 miles west of Pyramid State Park turn north onto Panda Bear Road.

Description: The only facilities offered at this 55-acre lake is a gravel boat ramp. Parking is very limited and anglers should check the condition of the ramp before attempting to launch at this lake.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: A multi-gear fish community survey is completed on Redhead Lake on a biennial basis. Additional targeted surveys (single-species) are also completed as needed. The lake supports good fisheries for Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, and Hybrid Striped Bass. Based on survey data, stocked Hybrid Striped Bass demonstrate good survival and growth potential, which has led to a quality fishery with fish over 10 lbs. present. Given the abundance of shad and success of the Wiper stocking program, Saugeye fingerlings will also be stocked if sufficient numbers are available from the state hatchery system.

Additional Lake Information: Note: There is no motor HP limit, however all boats must be operated at no-wake speed.

Site-specific Regulations:
Largemouth Bass: statewide limit of 6 fish/day
Bluegill or Redear Sunfish: 25 fish daily limit
Crappie: 25 fish daily limit
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit
Muskellunge: 48" minimum length limit
Hybrid Striped Bass: Unlimited under 17", 3 fish 17" and over

2 pole and line fishing only and bowfishing is allowed. All live bait in excess of 8" must be rigged with a quick set rig.

Please note that fishing is prohibited from November 1 through the last day of February.

Contact Information:
Pyramid State Park:
618-357-2574
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Nick Abell
618-967-0952