Nearly eight miles from the SIUC campus in the heart of the Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge is a 1200-acre lake with 36 miles of shoreline offering camping, boating, fishing and swimming.

Little Grassy Lake features a campground and boat dock operated by concessionaire John Rosenberg and manager John Williams.

Williams said there are 105 campsites on the grounds with 14 of the sites being fully outfitted with electricity, sewer and water.

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We’ve got about 35 tenting sites and 56 sites available with just electricity and water, Williams said. We also welcome pop-ups, motor homes and trailers.

The lake has a variety of fish including bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish, bullhead and carp.

Dan Cook, of Anna, was fishing for catfish Wednesday afternoon with nightcrawlers and a heavy lead sinker.

I caught a two-pounder [catfish] earlier this morning but then all I was getting were turtles after that, Cook said. I probably should be fishing at night or over by the dam. I know there are some big cats over there.

Cook said he has been to the lake before to fish and was looking for some time away.

My girlfriend and her friend planned this out and it’s alright by me, Cook said. It’s nice to just get out of the house for a while.

Williams said the boat dock is undergoing some renovations to improve boater access.

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We’re installing some new boat docks out here to replace the old ones that were rotting out, he said. These new ones are going to have floating devices underneath so they can be out in deeper water and provide additional access for boats.

The former boat docks were located along the shoreline and did not provide ample access for boaters’ needs, he said.

Boat rental prices are $40 a day