Description
One of three lakes in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Little Grassy in Jackson County is a 1,000-acre lake with a shoreline of 29 miles. It has a maximum depth of 100 feet and provides black and white crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, carp, white bass and walleye. In order to use any of the facilities on the refuge, patrons must purchase a federal duck stamp at the ranger station on Illinois 148 or at one of the boat docks. Channel catfish - 6 fish daily creel limit. Large or smallmouth bass - 12-15 inch slot limit.
Trip Report
I originally planned to paddle a lake that I recalled from a motorcycle trip in the area. I had a pretty good idea it was Little Grassy, but wasn't 100% sure. I remembered it being very scenic, quiet and looked like a great lake to explore. After coming around a corner and seeing the lake, I quickly recognized it as the one I remembered. It was fall when I last visited on the motorcycle and July when I went to paddle it. Being mid summer changed the look of the shoreline drastically, but I still recognized it. However, it just looked like an ordinary, average lake now. Even so, I decided to go ahead and make the best of it.
I was a man on mission paddling at a pretty fast pace and managed to do quite a bit of mileage. The lake has 29 miles of shoreline, calculated by following every finger and bay. I cut across many of the shorter bays and didn't trace the exact shoreline so it was more like 12 miles that I paddled. However, I was able to see every single mile of shoreline. There are lots of scout and religious camps throughout this lake and they all had docks, canoes and paddle boats. Although I did enjoy my time here, it wasn't the style of paddling I was looking for. I don't mind lakes if they are scenic and have a lot of hidden creeks and fingers to explore, but this lake only had two places like that and neither were very long. I don't anticipate ever going again, just nothing there to entice me back.
Location
788 Hidden Bay Lane
Makanda, Illinois
(618) 457-6655
The refuge is adjacent to Illinois 13, Interstate 57 and U.S. 51.
Facilities
There is a marina at the northern end with all the supplies you could need. 3 boat ramps are scattered around, but the main one at the marina is convenient and well maintained. A campground is also located at this marina.
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