Crab Orchard Lake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Crab Orchard Lake
Crab Orchard Lake, September 2019
Crab Orchard Lake Location in Illinois
Location	Williamson County, Illinois
Coordinates	37°43′31″N 89°06′19″W / 37.7252°N 89.1053°W / 37.7252; -89.1053
Type	reservoir
Primary inflows	Crab Orchard Creek
Primary outflows	Crab Orchard Creek
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	6,965 acres (2,819 ha)
Average depth	9.1 ft (2.8 m)
Max. depth	25 ft (7.6 m)

Crab Orchard Lake is a really big lake in Williamson County, Illinois. It covers about 6,965 acres, which is like 5,000 football fields! This lake is super important because it's the main part of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Other nearby lakes, like Devils Kitchen Lake and Little Grassy Lake, also feed into it.

Discover Crab Orchard Lake

Crab Orchard Lake is a popular spot for outdoor fun in southern Illinois. It's a great place to visit if you love nature and want to spend time outside. Many people from nearby cities like Carbondale and Marion enjoy coming here.

How the Lake Was Made

Crab Orchard Lake isn't a natural lake. It's a type of lake called a reservoir. This means it was created by people. In the 1930s, a dam was built across Crab Orchard Creek. This creek is a small river that flows into the Big Muddy River. The dam was built for two main reasons:

• To help control floods in the area.
• To create a place for people to enjoy outdoor activities.

Later, in 1947, all the land around the lake became part of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Their job is to protect wildlife and their homes.

Fun Things to Do

Crab Orchard Lake offers many exciting activities for visitors. It's a perfect place for a family outing or an adventure with friends.

• Boating: You can bring your own boat or rent one to explore the lake.
• Camping: There are two campgrounds, Blue Heron and Crab Orchard, on the north side of the lake. You can pitch a tent or park an RV.
• Fishing: The lake is known for its great fishing. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has added many fish, especially largemouth bass.
• Swimming: On hot days, you can cool off by swimming in the lake.

Wildlife and Nature

The Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is home to many different animals. The lake itself is a great place for fish. The IDNR works hard to make sure there are plenty of fish for anglers. For example, they have put in special places called artificial spawning beds. These beds help bass lay their eggs because the lake's bottom isn't always perfect for them. In 2008, a huge largemouth bass weighing 10.6 pounds was caught in the lake!