Devils Kitchen Lake

Boat Ramps: 3
Access Points: 3
Species: 10

Devils Kitchen Lake is a deep, clear 810-acre impoundment located in the south portion of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge between Marion and Carbondale in Williamson County, Illinois. The lake features 24 miles of shoreline and is characterized by its scenic and tranquil environment, surrounded almost entirely by forest. The lake gets its name from the sulfur fumes builders noticed when constructing the dam. With depths reaching up to 90 feet and an average depth of around 36 feet, Devils Kitchen Lake is one of the deepest lakes in Illinois, making it uniquely suitable for cold-water species like rainbow trout. The lake is cooperatively managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, offering anglers opportunities to catch a variety of fish species in a beautiful natural setting.

Illinois licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Devils Kitchen Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Longear Sunfish

Lepomis megalotis

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

Warmouth Sunfish

Lepomis gulosus

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Rainbow Trout2,598 fish · 9.0 in2026
Rainbow Trout8,332 fish · Adults2026
Rainbow Trout4,009 fish · 9.0 in2025
Rainbow Trout3,703 fish · Adults2025
Rainbow Trout11,593 fish · Adults2024

Source

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Sizes are the length the agency reports. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

Open stocking page

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Devils Kitchen Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Devils Kitchen Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Illinois licenses and regulations

Illinois Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Illinois Fishing License

All individuals who are 16 and over are required to have a fishing license. All youth who are below 16 may fish without a license.

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Illinois Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Illinois Steam Access Laws

If the waterway is navigable in fact and the streambed is publicly owned, it is most likely fully accessible. If the streambed is privately owned, it is only accessible for navigation, not for hunting, fishing or portage.

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Take Devils Kitchen Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Devils Kitchen Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Devils Kitchen Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.