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REND LAKE

REND LAKE FISHING GUIDE


Lake Information

County: Franklin

Acreage: 18900

Average Depth: 14.99 feet

Shoreline Length: 162 miles

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? Unrestricted

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? Yes

Skiing? Yes

Swimming? Yes

Picnicking? Yes

Camping? Yes

Nason Access Turnip Patch North Marina Gun Creek Marcum Access Ina Access


    Click on area names for a more detailed map.
     Dam West, Gun Creek, Ina Access, Marcum Access,
     Nason Access, North Marina, Turnip Patch

Maps are not intended for navigation.



There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2021

Largemouth Bass

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

16520

2021

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

19500

2021

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

37924

2022

Largemouth Bass

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

70339

2022

Largemouth Bass

Fingerling 1 - 3"

45379


Additional information for stocking on Rend Lake



Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Good

The size structure of the bluegill population remained stable. Bluegill will be abundant in the coming year with most keepers measuring 6- 7" in length and weighing up to 1/4 lb.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Excellent

The fishing prospects for channel catfish remain excellent for 2023. Natural reproduction and recruitment continue to be very strong, and are responsible for maintaining the large population of fish in the lake. In the coming year, channel catfish from 1 – 3.5 pounds should be abundant with larger fish up to 5 pounds common. This lake remains one of the premier channel catfish waters in southern Illinois, and should remain on your list of places to fish for channels in 2023.

CRAPPIE

Good

Fall 2022 sampling indicated that the portion of the crappie population comprised of fish over 10” in length is 12%. For 2023, crappie 9"-11" in length and averaging 1/2 to 1 pound will should provide some quality angling opportunities. The number of crappie over 12” in length remains stable and relatively low. The condition of all sizes of crappie is good. Site Regulation: White, Black or Hybrid Crappie: 25 daily limit, not more than 10 exceeding 10".

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Good

Eleven flathead catfish were collected in the 2022 survey ranging in size from 12-29 inches in length with the largest weighing 11 pounds.

HYBRID STRIPED BASS (WIPERS)

Fair

Four striped bass hybrids were collected in the 2022 fall survey. The hybrids collected were 12-13 inches in length. Site Regulation: 20 daily limit, not more than 3 exceeding 17"

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

The bass population for 2023 will be good. Based on the 2022 fall survey, the percentage of the population exceeding the 14" minimum length limit was 35%. Another 17% of the bass population were between 12-14 inches or just below the 14 inch length limit. The number of larger bass over 18" in length remains stable but low. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit, 14" minimum length limit.

WHITE BASS

Good

The number of white bass collected in the fall 2022 electrofishing survey was above the 5-year average. White bass fishing should be good in 2023. Anglers can expect the catchable population to be largely comprised of fish 10”- 15” in length and weighing 0.5 – 1.5 pounds. Site Regulation: 20 daily limit, not more than 3 exceeding 17".

Fishing Report

WEEK

FISH

FISHING CONDITIONS

5-19-2023

WHITE BASS

Good using inline spinners, , slab spoons & 3/16 jigs with minnow like soft baits. Reports of fish being caught around the 154 bridges. Fish along the rocks and dropoffs. Find schools of shad in 10 to 14 inches of water.

5-19-2023

BLUEGILL

Excellent using Small jigs, worms, meal worms, wax worms & crickets. From shore try Sailboat Harbor and Mine 21 Road. Fish shallow with crickets, small jigs, or worms. Set bait at half of water depth. Jackie Branch has reports of success.

5-19-2023

CHANNEL CATFISH

Fair using large minnows, leeches, dip bait, shad & night crawlers. Try leeches in moving water. Drift fish the flats. Try the Waltonville Dam, Turnip Patch, and N Sandusky day-use area. All creeks and middle-back of coves.

5-19-2023

CRAPPIE

Excellent using medium minnows, 1/8 and 3/16 ounce pink/white & black jigs heads with various artificial jigs. Try the Christmas trees and new fish cube structures. GPS coordinates can be found online. Fishing around wood structure has been successful as well. Reports the north end of the lake has been more successful fishing.

5-19-2023

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good using plastic baits in 2 to 4 feet of water. Try flipping into water around wood structures. Fish around bridges and along the rocks. Fishing is best around wood structure. Try fishing the rocks from highway 154 bridge. Also try along the rocks at Dam west boat ramp.

Location: Rend Lake is located in Franklin and Jefferson counties along IL Interstate 57 approximately 15 miles south of Mt. Vernon and just northwest of Benton.

Description: Rend Lake was completed in 1971 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The lake was formed by constructing a 2-mile-long dam across the Big Muddy River floodplain. At normal pool, Rend Lake has a surface area of 20,633 acres, a maximum depth of 35 feet, and a mean depth of 10 feet. The lake is thirteen miles long and three miles wide and has 162 miles of shoreline. It is the second largest impoundment in Illinois.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: There are more than 38 species of fish in Rend Lake. In addition to traditional sport fish, Rend Lake also contains large populations of carp, buffalo, gar, drum, and shad. The fish population is surveyed annually.

Additional Lake Information: Site Regulations:
Largemouth, Smallmouth or Spotted Bass: 6 fish daily limit, 14" minimum length limit
White, Black or Hybrid Crappie: 25 daily limit, not more than 10 exceeding 10"
White, Yellow or Hybrid Striped Bass: 20 daily limit, not more than 3 exceeding 17"

Contact Information:
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park
618-629-2320
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Shawn Hirst 618-559-5009
Rend Lake COE 618-724-249

There were 69 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2022.

Species Total Fish Caught
Channel Catfish 165
Crappie 987
Flathead Catfish 1
Largemouth Bass 3797

Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:

1     9.31 lbs
2     8.25 lbs
3     7.40 lbs
4     6.74 lbs
5     6.69 lbs

Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:

1 681.38 lbs
2 538.01 lbs
3 477.25 lbs
4 455.67 lbs
5 409.06 lbs


Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.

Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.

2023 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date ID Approval Ramp Location Bank/Boat
Hook/Bow
Max Boats Species Youth? Open to Public?
June-0324554ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
75Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-1022665ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
75Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-1023651ApprovedGun Creek South (Golf Course Ramp - 50 boat limit) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-1122691ApprovedNorth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
June-1123509ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-1723192ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
125Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-1723582ApprovedGun Creek South (Golf Course Ramp - 50 boat limit) boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-1723986ApprovedJackie Branch (25 boat limit) boat
hook
24Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-1823390ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-1823789ApprovedJackie Branch (25 boat limit) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-1824555ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
75Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2024386ApprovedGun Creek South (Golf Course Ramp - 50 boat limit) boat
hook
12Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2423511ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
70Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2523322ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2523508ApprovedNorth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-08
*July-09
22910ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-0824556ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
75Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-1523512ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
70Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-1622708ApprovedNorth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
July-1624032ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-1824387ApprovedGun Creek South (Golf Course Ramp - 50 boat limit) boat
hook
12Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-2223373ApprovedGun Creek South (Golf Course Ramp - 50 boat limit) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-2223621ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-2223937ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
YesNo
July-2323323ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-2923513ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
70Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-3024390ApprovedJackie Branch (25 boat limit) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
August-0623515ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-1223514ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
70Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-1524388ApprovedGun Creek South (Golf Course Ramp - 50 boat limit) boat
hook
12Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-1922766ApprovedNorth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
August-1924744ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
75Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-2022554ApprovedGun Creek South (Golf Course Ramp - 50 boat limit) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
August-2023442ApprovedIna (30 boat limit) boat
hook
20Crappie
NoNo
August-2024557ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
75Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-2624539ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
100Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-1022779ApprovedNorth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
September-1023141ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
130Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-1224389ApprovedGun Creek South (Golf Course Ramp - 50 boat limit) boat
hook
12Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-1424743ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
150Largemouth Bass
YesYes
September-1624641ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
September-1723324ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
NoYes
October-07
*October-08
23498ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
NoYes
October-0822758ApprovedGun Creek South (Golf Course Ramp - 50 boat limit) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-1422798ApprovedNorth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
October-21
*October-22
24086ApprovedIna (30 boat limit) boat
hook
20Crappie
NoNo
October-2124558ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
75Largemouth Bass
NoYes
October-28
*October-29
23238ApprovedIna (30 boat limit) boat
hook
25Crappie
NoNo