Fishing Little Grassy Lake

AKA: Carbondale Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Little Grassy Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Local Fishing Guides
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Campgrounds & RV Parks
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Little Grassy Lake, IL

Popular Fish Species Little Grassy Lake, IL

Little Grassy Lake Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

A nice population of black crappie resides in Little Grassy Lake. Crappie tend to run in schools, and once a school is located, there is a good chance for catching significant numbers. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Virtually any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. Because crappie prefer cover and structure, locate brush and vegetation in appropriate water depths. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Little Grassy Lake Popular Fish - Bluegill

Bluegill Fishing

Fishing for bluegill is a time-honored tradition at Little Grassy Lake. Young and old, beginners and seasoned anglers alike, all enjoy catching a bunch of fat bluegill. This year, much like recent years, the bluegill population is healthy and always looking for something to eat. Bluegill fishing is as basic as fishing gets. Any pole, reasonably small line and small hooks baited with anything edible, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Bluegill hang around brush, rocks, vegetation or any cover available.

Little Grassy Lake Popular Fish - Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish Fishing

Fishing for redear sunfish, also known as shellcrackers, is popular here at Little Grassy Lake. Like most bream, they are a popular species with young and old, as well as beginners and seasoned anglers alike. This year, much like recent years, the redear sunfish population is healthy and always looking for something edible. Redear sunfish fishing is about as simple as fishing gets. Any lighter fishing pole, reasonably light line, small hooks baited with anything eatable, creates a great setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Redear prefer clear, warmer water and hang around brush, rocks, vegetation, docks or any cover available.

Little Grassy Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, redear sunfish and warmouth at Little Grassy Lake in Illinois.

Little Grassy Lake Campground and Marina welcome locals and visitors to Little Grassy Lake which is a 1,200-acre reservoir at the southern tip of IL, five miles south of Carbondale.

Bass fishing is a highlight at Little Grassy Lake, with both largemouth and smallmouth bass thriving here. Bluegill, crappie, sunfish, and other panfish species are also abundant in Little Grassy Lake. Anglers can enjoy exploring over 30 miles of shoreline. A marina, multiple boat launch ramps, rental boats, camping and lodging are all conveniently located around the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Little Grassy Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Little Grassy Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Little Grassy Lake Campground and Marina
Rentals: Jon boats, canoes, kayaks and pontoon boats
618 457-6655

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Bums Beach Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, off Bums Beach Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Grassy Road Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, off Grassy Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Little Grassy Lake Campground Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Hidden Bay Lane, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with no parking.