Current Lake Temp for Southern IL

[BigBald]

Looking for someone that can give me current lake temperature information for Crab Orchard Lake or Rend Lake? Going down that direction next weekend and was trying to figure out if I should drag the boat or not. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[skiinxs]

RE: Current Lake Temp for Southern IL

Lake temp in St. Louis yesterday was 68. Very comfortable skiing with just a Ronny Dry top.

[BigBald]

RE: Current Lake Temp for Southern IL

I boarded in Indianapolis Saturday with only a shorty (long sleeves)....I am saying the lake temp was below 70....maybe around 68 or so....I thought it was fine...but the family was not so fired up. And I couldn't convince any of them to let me take a slalom run...to chilly for 34 MPH.

I am hoping for Southern IL, temps to be still above 70...but that might be dreaming.

[gotwake]

RE: Current Lake Temp for Southern IL

Heading to Shelbyville this weekend for one last weekend, heard that the water was upper 60's -

[jefe]

Be VERY careful of Crab Orchard. It is a shallow lake and if you don't know the bottom very well, or aren't with a local who does, I would stay away from it. When I was going to SIUC, we would go well into Nov, and this time of year was usually just fine.

Of the lakes you listed, I would recommend Kinkaid. It has a real nice ramp and you can find some good water no matter what the wind is doing. Good depth too. 20+ It is more popular though.

SIUSki frequents these boards and still lives down there so he should have the scoop.

[siuski]

Jefe- how you do'n!

I was in Crab on saturday, just before I winterized the boat Yellow_Flash_Colorz: ...the SIUC boys were cold in there boarshorts, but I had my 3/4 on and was just fine. I'd also recommend that you skip Crab and Rend and go to Kinkaid...don't have worry about the depth and wind...and only 20 more minutes further away. There shouldn't be anyone out on kinkaid this time of year except fishermen. Weather should still be nice...if you need someone to ride I'll let the boys know your in town but they may be down in Paducah helping with the collegiate nationals. Let me know if you need directions or anything else.

[siuski]

oh yea...my canadian work buddy was cold in board shorts...so I'd bring a shorty!

[BigBald]

Thanks for the advice. We have been to Crab Orchard several times this summer and last. My folks live in Herrin...so Crab Orchard is very close. We have been told about Kinkaid also.....we've been meaning to try it, but had been told that during the summer, it can get very crowded. Maybe we'll try it this weekend...

We have a sticker for Carb Orchard...what's the launch cost for Kindaid? Also, can you recommend a good launch ramp?

[siuski]

There is no launch fee for Kinkaid. I'd launch at the marina. Take 13 to Murphysboro and keep going straight (west) through town. When you get out of town, you'll go about 2 miles, once you the train tracks on the left you'll go up a big hill, once you start down you'll see a right-hand turn lane, take it north and follow the road to the marina. Let me know what you think. Kinkaid on the weekends isn't any worse than Crab as far as wakeboarding. Both get crowded, but on Kinkaid you can still find a couple of places to ride in the morning and evenings.

[BigBald]

looks like we're not taking the boat. I talked to my dad and he said the water temp at Rend was 62 this past Sunday. So, I can't afford to drag the boat that far and have only me get wet.....I am bit bummed. I was looking forward to checking out a new lake. Kinkaid will be on my list for next summer.

Thanks

[bamatique93]

I feel bad for yall, down here in Bama the water temp is in the low 80's and same for the air