Thread: Carlyle ?

Trying to come up with a 3 day spring fishing trip have never been to Carlyle. How is the Crappie fishing there and suggestions on places to stay and best time to go. I am thinking early April.

I don't much about Carlyle. I usually drive over to Rend in the Spring. Lake Cove Resort is a great place to stay right near the lake. Fish shallow and in the buck brush April & May. You should do really good.

Fishing is pretty good there, can be very rough on windy days, and a lot of shallow spots in the middle of the lake. Can't recommend a place to stay, I know they have some cabin's at the State Park.

Do your self a favor and pass on Carlyle

Originally Posted by barrelslime

Do your self a favor and pass on Carlyle

If you don't have your brush piles marked, good luck. Little to ZERO natural cover. When the fish are on, it's unbelievable, problem is that is few and far between.

ok thanks for replies looks like would be better off at Shelbyville or Kinkaid. Have had moderate success at Shelbyville tried Kinkaid twice but both times we had terrible Weather not the lakes fault just bad timing. I have been to rend and was not impressed I know it is supposed to be a great lake but would need quite a few trips to try and figure it out. And a windy day on Rend isn't much fun.

Originally Posted by djcoop52

ok thanks for replies looks like would be better off at Shelbyville or Kinkaid. Have had moderate success at Shelbyville tried Kinkaid twice but both times we had terrible Weather not the lakes fault just bad timing. I have been to rend and was not impressed I know it is supposed to be a great lake but would need quite a few trips to try and figure it out. And a windy day on Rend isn't much fun.

Kinkaid for a chance at a BIG crappie. Shelbyville for a relaxing trip. Rend for quality numbers of fish. Rend is easy...follow the crowd...bridges or buck brush.

Originally Posted by Illinois_angler

Kinkaid for a chance at a BIG crappie. Shelbyville for a relaxing trip. Rend for quality numbers of fish. Rend is easy...follow the crowd...bridges or buck brush.

So why would you not mention Lake of Egypt and Crab Orchard?

Coming from a local, Carlyle crappie fishing is excellent. it doesn't get the traffic Rend or Kincaid does. What some anglers say is true, not much cover, shallow and can be windy(what big flat lake isn't windy?). but that is also some of the positives. limited cover makes them easy to locate and so does lack of depth. Numbers and sizes on Carlyle are excellent. most days you don't catch shorts. Find cover and you will find fish. start around the boat launches, xmas tree drops etc. and you will find plenty of crappie year round.
Most anglers say bad things about Carlyle crappie because they don't know how to catch them! plenty of hotels and cabins in the area Carlyle, Keyesport and Greenville have all you will need. best of luck if you head down!

Originally Posted by BondCountySlabs

Most anglers say bad things about Carlyle crappie because they don't know how to catch them! plenty of hotels and cabins in the area Carlyle, Keyesport and Greenville have all you will need. best of luck if you head down!

So you would suggest Carlyle Lake to someone that doesn't fish it regularly or never fished it? The OP has never been to Carlyle Lake. It isn't an easy lake to fish and can be very dangerous to newbies...especially north of the tracks as it looks easily navigable but is nothing but stumps just under the surface. To those of us that do and know how to fish it, it's great. As I would say it has a better population of larger crappie than Shelbyville and Rend.

But for someone that has never fished it and might have limited time off to fish. Rend Lake and Shelbyville would be better choices for both ease of fishing and safer lakes.