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Crab Orchard Lake is a 6,965-acre (28.2 km²) reservoir in Williamson County, Illinois. It is the centerpiece of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. It is fed by Devils Kitchen Lake and Little Grassy Lake, which are also within the National Wildlife Refuge.
Location: Crab Orchard Lake is a 6965-acre impoundment located in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge between Marion and Carbondale in Williamson County Illinois. Description: The Crab Orchard Lake fishery is cooperatively managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to spot a variety of wildlife. Visitors are likely to see bald eagles, including the six pairs that nest on the refuge. Watch for flocks of wild turkeys, white-tailed deer and a wide variety of songbirds including eastern bluebirds, indigo buntings, white-eyed vireos and summer tanagers.
Staying in the Crab Orchard Campground gives you a front row seat to view numerous species of waterfowl and shorebirds, and various other types of wildlife, also giving you the serene view of sunrises & sunsets on the lake.
Whether you're a camper who likes to rough it or one who prefers more convenience, camping at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is fun for all. The refuge offers four campgrounds. Little Grassy Lake and Blue Heron Campgrounds are managed through concession contracts.
Operating on the northern side of the lake, Crab Orchard Lake Campground is located within the National Wildlife Refuge. The season opens on April 1st and runs through October 31st. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days.
This 7,000 acre lake offers two campgrounds, marinas, and several boat launching ramps. Throw in fishing sites, hunting opportunities, picnic areas, and swimming and you begin to understand why this refuge is one of the most visited in the Nation.
Jun 5, 2024 · The largest of the three refuge lakes, this 6,965-acre body of water has two marinas, 125 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 25 feet. Species include largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, bullheads, carp and white bass.
Outdoor adventure awaits at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Learn about the natural beauty of Southern Illinois at the visitor center, then see the wildlife on the nature trails or catch a fish at the lake or one of the many ponds.
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is a 43,890 acre (180 km 2) National Wildlife Refuge primarily in southwestern Williamson County, but with small extensions into adjacent eastern Jackson and northeastern Union counties of southern Illinois, in the United States.
