Fishing on Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is a popular pastime. There is a mixture of developed boat ramps, primitive access locations, accessible fishing piers, bank fishing, lake fishing and pond fishing.
The following locations are open to fishing and boat access:
Crab Orchard Lake
- Crab Orchard Lake west of Wolf Creek Road is open to boating and fishing year-round.
- Crab Orchard Lake east of Wolf Creek Road is open to boating and fishing from March 1 – October 15.
- Shore fishing in the restricted area from the Wolf Creek Road causeway and Illinois Route 148 causeway are open year-round.
Shore fishing in the open area is open year-round. (See map land designations)
Temporary Closure: Fishing and boating access under the Illinois Route 13 bridges on Crab Orchard Lake are closed. The Illinois Department of Transportation is replacing portions of the bridges and constructing a new road, making conditions under and near the bridges unsafe for pedestrian or boater access. For questions or inquiries about the construction project, contact Dawn Johnson of the Illinois Department of Transportation at 618-301-6050.
Designated ponds within the restricted use area are:
- Visitors Pond – Open year-round
- Honkers Corner Pond – Open year-round
- A-41 Pond – Open from March 1 – October 15
Bluegill Pond – Open from March 1 -October 15
Ponds and streams found within the open use area are open to fishing year-round following the Illinois Department of Natural Resources fishing regulations.
Devils Kitchen Lake is open to fishing by boat and from the shore year-round. Devils Kitchen Lake has a 10 horsepower limit.
Please note, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is a fee use area. Learn more about fees at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.