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REND LAKE

REND LAKE FISHING GUIDE


Lake Information

County: Franklin

Acreage: 18900

Average Depth: 15.00 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

2023

Largemouth Bass

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

12536

2023

Largemouth Bass

Fingerling 1 - 3"

274044

2023

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

21951


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 remains stable. Bluegill will be abundant in the coming year with most keepers measuring 7- 8" in length and weighing up to 1/3 lb. A few bluegill over 8 inches were collected in the 2024 survey.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Excellent

The fishing prospects for channel catfish remain excellent for 2025. 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 channel catfish in 2025.

CRAPPIE

Good

Fall 2024 sampling indicated that the portion of the crappie population comprised of fish over 10” in length is 17%. Another 19% of the crappie collected were between 9-10 inches. The number of crappie over 12” in length remains stable and relatively low. Two percent of the crappie collected in the 2024 survey were over 12 inches. Site Regulation: White, Black or Hybrid Crappie: 25 daily limit, not more than 10 exceeding 10".

FLATHEAD CATFISH

Good

Seven flathead catfish were collected in the 2024 survey ranging in size from 5-18 inches in length with the largest weighing 2.6 pounds.

HYBRID STRIPED BASS (WIPERS)

Fair

Six striped bass hybrids were collected in the 2024 fall survey. The hybrids collected were 13-14 inches in length. Anglers can also target these hybrid stripers in the spillway area in the spring. Site Regulation: 20 daily limit, not more than 3 exceeding 17"

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Good

The bass population for 2024 will be good. Based on the 2024 fall survey, the percentage of the population exceeding the 14" minimum length limit was 24%. Another 8% 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. Six percent of the bass collected in the 2024 survey were over 18 inches. The largest bass collected was 6.3 pounds. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit, 14" minimum length limit.

WHITE BASS

Good

During the 2024 survey, white bass were collected at a rate of 12 fish/hr which was equal to the 5-year average. White bass fishing should be good in 2025. 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".

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: 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 ACOE 618-724-2493

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.

2025 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date ID Approval Ramp Location Bank/Boat
Hook/Bow
Max Boats Species Youth? Open to Public?
April-0527464ApprovedNorth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-0627803ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
April-1227415ApprovedRend Lake Conservancy District Ramp (25 Boat Limit) boat
hook
120Largemouth Bass
NoYes
April-2228655ApprovedRend Lake Conservancy District Ramp (25 Boat Limit) boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-02
*May-04
27084ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
45Multiple SpeciesNoYes
May-0328753ApprovedDam West (25 boat limit) boat
hook
25Crappie
NoNo
May-1027480ApprovedNorth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
NoNo
May-1028347ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
75Channel Catfish
NoYes
May-1128348ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
75Channel Catfish
NoYes
May-1528203ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
22Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
YesNo
May-1727940ApprovedGun Creek South (Golf Course Ramp - 50 boat limit) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
May-1728311ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
NoNo
May-1728741ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-2028656ApprovedRend Lake Conservancy District Ramp (25 Boat Limit) boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoYes
May-2628752ApprovedJackie Branch (25 boat limit) boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-0127489ApprovedNorth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-07
*June-08
27537ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-0728742ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-1427880ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
150Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-1527849ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-1527998ApprovedIna (30 boat limit) boat
hook
19Crappie
NoNo
June-2128312ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-2827899ApprovedSouth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-2828743ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2927675ApprovedNorth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-1227495ApprovedNorth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-1228313ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-1528657ApprovedRend Lake Conservancy District Ramp (25 Boat Limit) boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-1927428ApprovedRend Lake Conservancy District Ramp (25 Boat Limit) boat
hook
120Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-1928177ApprovedGun Creek South (Golf Course Ramp - 50 boat limit) boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-1928233ApprovedJackie Branch (25 boat limit) boat
hook
19Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-1928738ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
YesNo
July-2028381ApprovedJackie Branch (25 boat limit) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
July-2028406ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-2628160ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-2628314ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-2628744ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
40Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-0227500ApprovedNorth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
NoNo
August-0327936ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-0928315ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
60Largemouth Bass
NoNo
August-1228658ApprovedRend Lake Conservancy District Ramp (25 Boat Limit) boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-0627506ApprovedNorth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-06
*September-07
27543ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-1228644ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
NoNo
September-1428423ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
150Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-2028349ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
75Channel Catfish
NoYes
September-2128350ApprovedSouth Sandusky (75 boat limit) boat
hook
75Channel Catfish
NoYes
September-2827510ApprovedGun Creek South (Golf Course Ramp - 50 boat limit) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-2827948ApprovedGun Creek South (Golf Course Ramp - 50 boat limit) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-0427512ApprovedNorth Marcum (50 boat limit) boat
hook
50Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-04
*October-05
28148ApprovedSailboat Harbor ( Harbor Oaks - 150 boat limit) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-0528156ApprovedGun Creek South (Golf Course Ramp - 50 boat limit) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-18
*October-19
28470ApprovedRend Lake Conservancy District Ramp (25 Boat Limit) boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass
NoNo
October-1828745ApprovedIna (30 boat limit) boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
NoYes