Appreciate you starting this series back up. Congrats on Pickwick. Lotta good lakes on this side of river, although some do get fished harder than ya'd think. Catching smaller bass outta DK is right in-line with DNR lake report. They've been encouraging folks to harvest dinks for several years outta there.
Enjoyed this video - anytime I’m catching them - most definitely FUN!!!! Might want to teach a little on the water - your setups - what you’re doing - and why - you’re a great teacher!!!! Thanks!!!!
I go to DK a couple times every year. My big fish was 6lb., punching. The lake just needs more people fishing it, but you definitely spend a lot of energy dodging trees. And just when you think you’re in open water they left a big tree in the middle of the lake just to surprise you.
That looks like the place to go if your last trip on another lake was a skunk. There certainly must be some 2 and 3 pounders there that the locals know where to find them. That lack of forage fish could be an issue.
Good video! Crab Orchard stickers for the year are now $10. I don’t known when they changed but wish I knew before I was going to buy $2 daily passes lol.
Glad to see a return of the LKS! Really enjoy them and was wondering if you ever ventured to DK. Looks like they've put in a new ramp further south. The old, original CCC ramp on the north end was so steep it was scary! Dropped off the end in 2007 and wound up breaking an axle weld getting out. There's another ramp a little closer to the dam on the other side you can get to by driving over the dam and following that road. Also, if you stay in the deeper water you can navigate pretty safely. Up closer to the dam on the west side of the main lake there's just enough room to get a boat between the tops of the trees they cut off and the shoreline. If there's any redeeming feature, the lake is so clear you can usually navigate through the trees by sight. Apparently the IDNR report is spot on regarding the bass population. Saw the following excerpt: "Largemouth bass: Devils Kitchen Lake has historically contained a bass population consisting of abundant small fish and a few giants, without much in between. Largemouth bass were collected at a rate of 200 per hour in 2021and 13% were larger than 12 inches, while 3% were larger than 15 inches. Although most bass are generally 9 to 13 inches in length, it is not unusual for bass in the 5 to 10-pound range to show up in spring electrofishing samples and/or tournament weigh-ins.Anglers are encouraged to harvest small bass to boost the average size of fish in the population." Agreed it's a beautiful lake and a great place for some Tight Rope jigs, finesse TRDs, small flukes, and drop-shotting on light or ultra-light spinning gear. Also to practice techniques or to take the kids to teach and keep them engaged. Thanks for another great video Gabe! Almost cool enough for Finn to come along again!
Great feedback Kevin. They cut a boat lane along the shoreline in the west creek arm so as long as you hug the bank you're good. IDNR nailed it. Finley is READY!!!!
Do you ever throw a compact 3/4 gold double willow spinnerbait in bluegill. I have lots of success in my local lakes slow rolling it down the grass in to deep water in conditions like that. Recommended the Z-Man Slingbladez.
Man, I was hoping this video would never come. I want everyone to keep sleeping on DK. Any large fish I caught coming out of there were on larger swimbaits. I find the magdraft in trout color will get the big girls to commit.
Sorry man. I normally don’t blow up a lake but I think you’re safe. If you are catching big fish consistently out of DK than hats off bro. You’ve earned it.
@TheTinHorseMonty I'm just joking around lol. One of the best things about our area is the outdoor activities. But yes, DK is challenging, but spring you can get the big ones in the usual spots you'd expect throwing larger than average baits.
Thanks for highlighting local opportunities.
Welcome.
Appreciate you starting this series back up. Congrats on Pickwick. Lotta good lakes on this side of river, although some do get fished harder than ya'd think.
Catching smaller bass outta DK is right in-line with DNR lake report. They've been encouraging folks to harvest dinks for several years outta there.
Welcome. I have another LKS video in the works.
Good video. Seems like an over abundance of smaller fish. But it looked like fun, just catching. I could do that all day, even with the smaller fish.
Nailed it. It's fun to get bites.
Enjoyed this video - anytime I’m catching them - most definitely FUN!!!! Might want to teach a little on the water - your setups - what you’re doing - and why - you’re a great teacher!!!! Thanks!!!!
Thanks Appreciate it. I will try to talk more about my decisions in future videos.
I go to DK a couple times every year. My big fish was 6lb., punching. The lake just needs more people fishing it, but you definitely spend a lot of energy dodging trees. And just when you think you’re in open water they left a big tree in the middle of the lake just to surprise you.
For some reason I guess the shad population is unable to sustain itself. I've hit that tree!! LOL
Nice video, thanks for posting.
Thanks Jerry
Neat lake to fish, you should do a video in the early part of the year lake Feb, March.
It's so peaceful over there. I'll go back late winter. Thanks
Thanks for the little trip
Welcome Tony. Thanks for watching.
Nice video Gabe I have always enjoyed the lesser known video! Keep on doing what you do I am a big fan!
Thanks buddy. Appreciate it.
Get video! Any hook set is a good day!
There's been a lot of days where I would've prayed to have even small fish. Thanks Dennis.
A little narrow between the eyes, but you caught a boat load. Thanks for sharing Gabe.
😂😂
You were on em. Nice looking lake
It's a peaceful place. Thanks
Please put Dutchman Lake in Johnson County IL on your list in this series
Caught a 9 pound Largemouth out of there back when I had an aluminum boat. Just hate the long gravel road to get there now with my glass boat
Alright. Never been there.
Idc how small they are, when you get that many bites its fun. Looks like Devils Kitchen cooked up a bunch of pip sqeeks today!
I agree Mike. I still had a blast cracking on those dinkers. There are days when I would love to just catch a few of those.
That looks like the place to go if your last trip on another lake was a skunk. There certainly must be some 2 and 3 pounders there that the locals know where to find them. That lack of forage fish could be an issue.
Agree. It's fun to just get your line tight. I'll go back next spring and see what lives there.
Back in the 70's I caught a 5 pounder from the shore on this lake and was hooked on bass fishing ever since. It is a pretty lake.
Cool. Thanks for sharing. A 5 pounder will get you hooked.
I was a big fan or Larry Nixon back then, so I know I caught it on a plastic worm texas rig. I don't fish that way enough anymore.
@@tomtbone2177 I'm the same way. Sometimes keeping it simple is the way to go.
Good video! Crab Orchard stickers for the year are now $10. I don’t known when they changed but wish I knew before I was going to buy $2 daily passes lol.
Dang. Didn't realize they raised them that much. Is that just for a daily pass?
@@TheTinHorseMonty annual sticker is $10
@@chums101 Gotcha. Very reasonable.
Dink city for sure…tough luck.
Lots of hookset practice.
Cool video, looks like a beautiful lake like you said, crazy how you didn’t get a nice one
So many cookie cutters
I may go back in the spring and see if I can upsize.
Glad to see a return of the LKS! Really enjoy them and was wondering if you ever ventured to DK. Looks like they've put in a new ramp further south. The old, original CCC ramp on the north end was so steep it was scary! Dropped off the end in 2007 and wound up breaking an axle weld getting out. There's another ramp a little closer to the dam on the other side you can get to by driving over the dam and following that road. Also, if you stay in the deeper water you can navigate pretty safely. Up closer to the dam on the west side of the main lake there's just enough room to get a boat between the tops of the trees they cut off and the shoreline. If there's any redeeming feature, the lake is so clear you can usually navigate through the trees by sight.
Apparently the IDNR report is spot on regarding the bass population. Saw the following excerpt:
"Largemouth bass: Devils Kitchen Lake has historically contained a bass population consisting of abundant small fish
and a few giants, without much in between. Largemouth bass were collected at a rate of 200 per hour in 2021and
13% were larger than 12 inches, while 3% were larger than 15 inches. Although most bass are generally 9 to 13
inches in length, it is not unusual for bass in the 5 to 10-pound range to show up in spring electrofishing samples
and/or tournament weigh-ins.Anglers are encouraged to harvest small bass to boost the average size of fish in the
population."
Agreed it's a beautiful lake and a great place for some Tight Rope jigs, finesse TRDs, small flukes, and drop-shotting on light or ultra-light spinning gear. Also to practice techniques or to take the kids to teach and keep them engaged.
Thanks for another great video Gabe! Almost cool enough for Finn to come along again!
Great feedback Kevin. They cut a boat lane along the shoreline in the west creek arm so as long as you hug the bank you're good. IDNR nailed it. Finley is READY!!!!
Everyone says don't take a nice boat there lol
Some truth to that. Just when you start to relax you hit a tree.
Do you ever throw a compact 3/4 gold double willow spinnerbait in bluegill. I have lots of success in my local lakes slow rolling it down the grass in to deep water in conditions like that. Recommended the Z-Man Slingbladez.
Thanks. I've thrown the War Eagle Screaming Eagle. It's a 1/2 oz spinnerbait on a 1/4 oz frame. I'll check out the Slingbladez.
Dang bro how many fish did you catch
lol. A bunch of it’s full of fish.
Man, I was hoping this video would never come. I want everyone to keep sleeping on DK. Any large fish I caught coming out of there were on larger swimbaits. I find the magdraft in trout color will get the big girls to commit.
Sorry man. I normally don’t blow up a lake but I think you’re safe. If you are catching big fish consistently out of DK than hats off bro. You’ve earned it.
@TheTinHorseMonty I'm just joking around lol. One of the best things about our area is the outdoor activities. But yes, DK is challenging, but spring you can get the big ones in the usual spots you'd expect throwing larger than average baits.
@@TimHaunFishingcool. I need to hit it up in the spring. Thanks Tim.
I went to SIU and in 1985 we went canoeing there and lost a 12 pack in about 30ft of water…. Did you happen to find it???
lol. I’ll need a waypoint
Do you know if bigger motors are allowed to troll only?
Nope it's strictly 10 hp
Thank you
Is there a limit on motor size in that lake?
10 HP
This is the lake the biologist says you have the greatest chance of catching a double digit.
There’s a few swimming around ….. so I’ve heard
Devil's Kitchen is my favorite! I mean... there are no fish there. Save yourself some time and fish Little Grassy instead.
lol. Ya it’s hard to get a bite.