Little Grassy Lake

Boat Ramps: 3
Access Points: 3
Species: 8

Nestled in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, Little Grassy Lake is a deep, clear 1,000-acre impoundment offering excellent fishing opportunities year-round. Located between Marion and Carbondale in Williamson County, this reservoir is part of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. With depths reaching up to 35 feet and over 30 miles of shoreline to explore, Little Grassy Lake provides anglers with abundant opportunities to catch a variety of warm-water fish species in a tranquil, picturesque setting. The lake is cooperatively managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ensuring quality fishing conditions for all who visit.

Illinois licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

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

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Longear Sunfish

Lepomis megalotis

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

Warmouth Sunfish

Lepomis gulosus

Fish stocking schedule

All stockings · 3

Channel Catfish866 fish · 5.5 in2024
Smallmouth Bass11,600 fish · 2.0 in2023
Channel Catfish5,000 fish · 5.5 in2022

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 Little Grassy 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 Little Grassy 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 Little Grassy 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 Little Grassy Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Little Grassy 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.