I have been very blessed by the Good Lord, and my family, to be able to pursue my passions for fishing, hunting and outdoor sports, as a career for many years now, and to be able to help people enjoy God’s great outdoors. In addition to being one of Southern Illinois’ only full-time fishing guides, working its magnificent waters, I also get to travel to dozens of other incredible destinations throughout the world, doing television and magazine work at the locations where my business offers guided trips and fishing vacations. And, I am glad to be able to share my experiences with my readers, customers and fans.
Beautiful Kinkaid Lake lies in the majestic hills of the magnificent Shawnee National Forest of southern Illinois. This wilderness lake lies not far from the town of Murphysboro and the college city of Carbondale off of Rts. 149 and 151. This lake has become a hot spot of activity for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. Summertime means lots of partying and activity for those looking for some hot weather fun, especially on the weekends. Most of the time during the fall, winter and spring, especially during the week the lake can be nearly empty, offering anglers and boaters the peace and quiet that comes from visiting a wilderness lake like this one during the slower times of the year.
*Kinkaid Sports & Fun
Pleasure boating and partying are favorite pastimes for many people in southern Illinois, and Kinkaid seems like the number one place to do it. In the heat of the Midwestern summer, this lake draws huge crowds of fun people that enjoy the outdoors, especially on the weekends. The periods from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend are busy, but the rest of the year is usually not. During the fall, winter and spring months, boaters can expect a quiet, peaceful and relaxing day of cruising on the water without all of the noise and big waves that go along with summer fun. Most folks head out on the lake in a motor boat, but sailboats, canoes and kayaks are also seen venturing out on the water too. Kinkaid is home to a significant number of houseboats. Most of the house boating crowd just heads down to the lake on the weekends, but a small handful live on the water for most of the season. This is a great lake for house boating and the owners of these vessels love it. Personal water craft are also found running the lake, especially on hot summer weekends.
Right along with boating goes water skiing. There are some die hard water skiers and wake boarders that use Kinkaid, and with good reason. The long arms of the lake keep waves from the wind to a minimum and allow for good cuts on smooth water, especially in the morning and evening when traffic is lower.
Probably the most popular of Kinkaid Lake sports has always been sport fishing. Kinkaid is definitely one of the very best fishing lakes in all of the Midwest, and some say the country. Kinkaid holds tremendous numbers of sport fish and offers true trophy potential as well. This famous body of water produces huge fish and draws anglers from all over the country and even outside the country to ply its waters in search of a trophy. The three most popular species at Kinkaid are the largemouth bass, the muskie and the crappie, and the lake offers absolutely incredible fishing for all three species during portions of the year. Other great fishing also exists for other species such as walleye, bluegill, catfish, white bass and others.
Swimming is obviously popular at Kinkaid, and the clean clear waters make for a great place to jump in and get wet. Lots of locals, as well as people from out of the area visit Kinkaid to cool off in the summer heat. A good number of brave swimmers also jump from the famous cliffs on Kinkaid. Two very large vertical cliffs are positioned over deep water on Kinkaid and make for a fun place to practice diving. There are campgrounds, picnic areas and swimming beaches on the lake that are all popular with swimmers. The dam and spillway area of the lake is also a good place for a dip, but it is the only place on the lake where alcohol is not allowed, so make sure to pack the cooler appropriately when visiting this one spot to avoid any problems.
Partying is popular at Kinkaid on hot summer weekends. The famous 3-Mile party cove is a summertime hot spot for fun people that are looking to have some cool drinks, meet new people, and just have fun. 3-Mile party cove is located in the upper quarter of the lake in the northwest portion of the body of water. It is called 3-Mile because it is at the entrance to the 3 mile long no wake zone that meanders all of the way from Thompson Neck up to the headwaters where Kinkaid and Johnson Creeks meet to join the lake.
The Shawnee National Forest and State Fish & Wildlife areas that surround Kinkaid Lake offer plenty of things to do as well. Hiking, site seeing, nature photography, camping, hunting and even rock climbing are just a few of the fun things to do on the lands that surround Kinkaid.
*Contact
Anglers can contact Simms Outdoors for lake tours, guided fishing trips and nature photography trips all year round at 618-521-0526.
*Get Out There
Unlike most of the Midwest’s larger lakes, Kinkaid is a wilderness body of water unlike anything else. With the exception of a single large marina, Kinkaid is completely undeveloped and offers a sense of peace and tranquility that’s very unique in this part of the country. Spending time in the kind of nature that Kinkaid Lake and the Shawnee National Forest offer is like a prescription for the soul, so get out there…
COLBY SIMMS is an internationally renowned Professional Angler & Media Personality, working as a full-time Fishing Guide, Television Host & Guest Star, Outdoor Writer & Photographer, Champion Tournament Angler, Tackle Designer, Promoter and Speaker. He is the Founder & Owner of Simms Outdoors LLC, operating one of the largest guide service & outfitting operations covering the United States, Canada & Mexico, a top fishing lure company, a popular online outdoor sports magazine, a professional promotions business, and much more. For more information visit www.SimmsOutdoors.com , call 618-521-0526 or 573-358-5948 or e-mail info@simmsoutdoors.com
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I have been very blessed by the Good Lord, and my family, to be able to pursue my passions for fishing, hunting and outdoor sports, as a career for many years now, and to be able to help people enjoy God’s great outdoors. In addition to being one of Southern Illinois’ only full-time fishing guides, working its magnificent waters, I also get to travel to dozens of other incredible destinations throughout the world, doing television and magazine work at the locations where my business offers guided trips and fishing vacations. And, I am glad to be able to share my experiences with my readers, customers and fans.
Beautiful Kinkaid Lake lies in the majestic hills of the magnificent Shawnee National Forest of southern Illinois. This wilderness lake lies not far from the town of Murphysboro and the college city of Carbondale off of Rts. 149 and 151. This lake has become a hot spot of activity for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. Summertime means lots of partying and activity for those looking for some hot weather fun, especially on the weekends. Most of the time during the fall, winter and spring, especially during the week the lake can be nearly empty, offering anglers and boaters the peace and quiet that comes from visiting a wilderness lake like this one during the slower times of the year.
*Kinkaid Sports & Fun
Pleasure boating and partying are favorite pastimes for many people in southern Illinois, and Kinkaid seems like the number one place to do it. In the heat of the Midwestern summer, this lake draws huge crowds of fun people that enjoy the outdoors, especially on the weekends. The periods from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend are busy, but the rest of the year is usually not. During the fall, winter and spring months, boaters can expect a quiet, peaceful and relaxing day of cruising on the water without all of the noise and big waves that go along with summer fun. Most folks head out on the lake in a motor boat, but sailboats, canoes and kayaks are also seen venturing out on the water too. Kinkaid is home to a significant number of houseboats. Most of the house boating crowd just heads down to the lake on the weekends, but a small handful live on the water for most of the season. This is a great lake for house boating and the owners of these vessels love it. Personal water craft are also found running the lake, especially on hot summer weekends.
Right along with boating goes water skiing. There are some die hard water skiers and wake boarders that use Kinkaid, and with good reason. The long arms of the lake keep waves from the wind to a minimum and allow for good cuts on smooth water, especially in the morning and evening when traffic is lower.
Probably the most popular of Kinkaid Lake sports has always been sport fishing. Kinkaid is definitely one of the very best fishing lakes in all of the Midwest, and some say the country. Kinkaid holds tremendous numbers of sport fish and offers true trophy potential as well. This famous body of water produces huge fish and draws anglers from all over the country and even outside the country to ply its waters in search of a trophy. The three most popular species at Kinkaid are the largemouth bass, the muskie and the crappie, and the lake offers absolutely incredible fishing for all three species during portions of the year. Other great fishing also exists for other species such as walleye, bluegill, catfish, white bass and others.
Swimming is obviously popular at Kinkaid, and the clean clear waters make for a great place to jump in and get wet. Lots of locals, as well as people from out of the area visit Kinkaid to cool off in the summer heat. A good number of brave swimmers also jump from the famous cliffs on Kinkaid. Two very large vertical cliffs are positioned over deep water on Kinkaid and make for a fun place to practice diving. There are campgrounds, picnic areas and swimming beaches on the lake that are all popular with swimmers. The dam and spillway area of the lake is also a good place for a dip, but it is the only place on the lake where alcohol is not allowed, so make sure to pack the cooler appropriately when visiting this one spot to avoid any problems.
Partying is popular at Kinkaid on hot summer weekends. The famous 3-Mile party cove is a summertime hot spot for fun people that are looking to have some cool drinks, meet new people, and just have fun. 3-Mile party cove is located in the upper quarter of the lake in the northwest portion of the body of water. It is called 3-Mile because it is at the entrance to the 3 mile long no wake zone that meanders all of the way from Thompson Neck up to the headwaters where Kinkaid and Johnson Creeks meet to join the lake.
The Shawnee National Forest and State Fish & Wildlife areas that surround Kinkaid Lake offer plenty of things to do as well. Hiking, site seeing, nature photography, camping, hunting and even rock climbing are just a few of the fun things to do on the lands that surround Kinkaid.
*Contact
Anglers can contact Simms Outdoors for lake tours, guided fishing trips and nature photography trips all year round at 618-521-0526.
*Get Out There
Unlike most of the Midwest’s larger lakes, Kinkaid is a wilderness body of water unlike anything else. With the exception of a single large marina, Kinkaid is completely undeveloped and offers a sense of peace and tranquility that’s very unique in this part of the country. Spending time in the kind of nature that Kinkaid Lake and the Shawnee National Forest offer is like a prescription for the soul, so get out there…
COLBY SIMMS is an internationally renowned Professional Angler & Media Personality, working as a full-time Fishing Guide, Television Host & Guest Star, Outdoor Writer & Photographer, Champion Tournament Angler, Tackle Designer, Promoter and Speaker. He is the Founder & Owner of Simms Outdoors LLC, operating one of the largest guide service & outfitting operations covering the United States, Canada & Mexico, a top fishing lure company, a popular online outdoor sports magazine, a professional promotions business, and much more. For more information visit www.SimmsOutdoors.com , call 618-521-0526 or 573-358-5948 or e-mail info@simmsoutdoors.com
