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Carbondale Reservoir

Carbondale Reservoir is a reservoir in Illinois, near Jackson County.

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Carbondale Reservoir Fishing Weather

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Fish species in Carbondale Reservoir

Official stocking history

Stocking records show that the following fish or strains were stocked here. A historical stocking does not by itself prove that a self-sustaining population remains today.

Carbondale Reservoir is a reservoir in Jackson County, Illinois. Carbondale Reservoir covers about 135 acres and holds about 480 acre-feet.

What to Expect at Carbondale Reservoir

Carbondale Reservoir was made by holding back a river or creek, making the old channel, bends and quiet coves sensible places to begin.

Fish and Useful Baits at Carbondale Reservoir

Fish reported from Carbondale Reservoir include bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, and white crappie. Stocking records for Carbondale Reservoir also list bluegill, though that does not mean those fish will be easy to catch on every trip.

Bass

For bass at Carbondale, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Crappie, Perch and Sunfish

For panfish at Carbondale, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, redear or other sunfish.

Catfish, Bullheads and Carp

For bottom fishing at Carbondale, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel catfish, and use corn or dough bait on a simple bottom rig for carp.

A Simple Fishing Plan for Carbondale Reservoir

On a first trip to Carbondale, check incoming water, one bend in the old channel and a point near deep water with a moving lure, then slow down with a jig or worm where you get a bite.

When to Fish Carbondale Reservoir

Spring around Carbondale is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall around Carbondale can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

Check the evidence

Sources and what they establish

Source dates describe the evidence, not a live catch forecast. Check the managing authority before planning access or keeping fish.

  • Bluegill — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Channel Catfish — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Common Carp — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Largemouth Bass — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Redear Sunfish — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • White Crappie — supporting source

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources — iFishIllinois

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

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