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Thinking about early spring trip to Kinkaid about a 5 hour drive for me looks like couple moderately priced motels in Murphysboro that would work. Never been to the lake but looks like the kind of lake I and my buddys like to fish lots of fingers and timber. DNR site says big crappie but less numbers than Rend. We have been to Rend but was not impressed any insight or sharing of experience on Kinkaid would be appreciated.
Contact Kyle Schoenherr.
All Seasons Crappie Fishing Guide Service - Rend Lake, Kinkaid Lake and Lake of Egypt Crappie Guide
Thanks barrelslime but not looking for a guide just some opinions of people that have fished the lake. Part of the fun of fishing is finding them, and time on the water with friends.
Bring minners, SI and lots of string. Fairly clear water.
DJCoop52,
I've fished Kinkaid for over 20 years. A beautiful lake with lots of deep water and different topography. I like to put in at Paul Ice Ramp. It's right across from the marina ... a minute by boat, but about 20 minutes by car to the marina ... have to go all around the end of the lake and thru Murphysboro to get to the marina by car. They have minnows/gas for sale. The Paul Ice cove is idle speed only. It's only about 75 yards to main channel from Paul Ice. The water is deeper toward the dam/spillway. There are a number of coves to fish ... many have trees or broken off trees to fish with good water depth ... 20-30 feet. You don't have to worry too much about running your boat, as there are only a couple of places you have to be careful. We catch mostly crappie ... some bass/cats/mostly small bluegill. It's also a popular Muskie lake. There is a 25 fish/ 9 inch limit. I would get a typo map or you can check the Ill.Dept. of Conservation website ... I think it still has a map of crappie structure they've put in. I second the recommendation about Kyle Shoenherr ... he knows the lake as well as anyone and has an informative website. I'm not sure if they still have the You-tube video of Kyle and ... dang, can't remember his name ... doing a crappie show from Kinkaid, but you may want to check it out. Hope this info helps!
Russ Bailey
Monark King 190,
Thanks! Russ Bailey is the guy. I found the video I was looking for ... go to: Russ Bailey youtube. Get list of shows from Midwest Crappie Shows ... scoll down, click on Load More ... go to Feb. show It's worth watching.
Most fisherman stay at the motels in Murphysboro but there are cabins at the Kinkaid Lake Marina. If you have an RV there are full hook-up camp sites plus tent sites. The cabins and camp sites are just minutes from the main ramp. Kinkaid Lake Sportsmans Lodge is just minutes from the Paul Ice ramp on the other or North side of the lake. If your a minnow fisherman you can buy them by the pound at Logan Hollow Fish Farm otherwise you can get minnows at Top of The Hill bait shop or at the Marina. I have spent the last 2 years trying to learn how to catch crappie on this lake and I have yet to figure it out but those that have been fishing it for some time are successful. If you figure it out let me know and good luck.
Dad, brother and myself stayed at Kincaid lake marina cabins last spring. It was nice. A two bedroom bldg, I think one end had a queen and the other end had two full beds. Two full baths. In the middle was a couch and small kitchen. Had outside outlet to plug in charger. The cabins are off the lake, not far away though.
Something I liked about Kincaid is their is always some where to go to get out of the wind.
We went for bass, so I can't speak for the crappie. If you like bluffs, you'll like Kincaid. Two waterfalls on the lake also.
I love Kinkaid as it is one of my favorite lakes to fish. My question is, why were you not impressed with Rend? Rend is one of the best lakes in southern IL. In the spring when the fish are in the bushes is one of the most productive and exciting ways to fish. You will not experience it on any other lake. It's unique to Rend.
Don't get me wrong Kinkaid is awesome but it is one of those lake you have to know and learn how to fish. Lots of structure and laydowns and if you are lucky it has some 3lb crappie to be caught. But it also has a TON of little crappie also.
CX.
Our timing at Rend was epic it had rained tons right before we got there, lake was like chocolate milk, way to much water to try and figure out on a two day trip,and the wind was blowing made for some uncomfortble trips across the lake. We are more comfortable on lakes with coves bays and islands just our style. We like to try different lakes some we return to some we don't.
If it rains that much just about all the lakes in southern Il are going to look like chocolate milk including Kinkaid. And if the wind blows there are plenty of boat ramps around Rend to find good coves to fish out of the wind. But I do know what you are saying, Rend is a BAD place to be if the wind is rolling. Don't give up on Rend but I don't blame you for wanting to try Kinkaid also it is an awesome crappie lake but hard to figure out if you have never been to it. Good luck with your southern Il adventure which ever lake you go to. Hope you catch some gooduns.
CX.
X2!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Crappie Xtreme
Amercania (?) Motel in Murphysboro is a clean real nice motel. Plenty of boat hook-ups under lights in a fenced area. New Walmart superstore 1 mile away and don't forget to try17th street BBQ in Murphysboro. I can send you a new hotspot map for $5 shipped. I have a [email protected]
I fished kinkaid for the first time last spring with a friend who was familiar with the lake. He is a bass guy and I'm a crappie guy. The weather that day was a little too windy and we really didn't expect to catch much, especially after talking to people who were leaving when we arrived. Anyway, we fished secondary points using smoke grub jigs and we did very well. Most of the crappie we caught were 14". I think I really turned him on to crappie fishing haha.
Welcome leftfootleroy, I like your user name.
Haha thanks
whats the story behind that name got to be a good one ?
I wish I had a better story, but it just comes from a long standing inside joke haha.
I heard today that Krappie Kings filmed an episode at Kinkaid. Anybody seen it yet? Or does anybody else watch that show?
Do you have any more of the hotspot maps for Kincaid ,if so I would like to buy one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Basscaster