South Region
10885 E. Jefferson Rd. Bonnie, IL 62816 618.279.3110 E-mail   Site Map Fishing Hunting Boating History Other Camping

Outdoor sportsmen will find a haven of recreational activities at Rend Lake. With 18,900 acres of water and over 20,000 acres of land in Jefferson and Franklin counties, Rend Lake provides ample opportunities for hunting and fishing. Rend Lake is located between Mt. Vernon and Benton, just off interstate 57.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has management responsibility for the Big Muddy and Casey Fork subimpoundments plus the Rend Lake Refuge, while the remainder of the wildlife area is managed by personnel from the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Portions of Rend Lake are managed intensively for waterfowl, providing both habitat and hunter opportunity for ducks and geese. Around the perimeter of the fish and wildlife area and scattered throughout are areas well-suited for deer, squirrel, rabbit and quail hunting. Additional recreation facilities, such as camping, golfing, tennis are located nearby at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park, Corps of Engineers and the Rend Lake Conservancy District.

Rend Lake was built as a joint project by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Rend Lake Conservancy District, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This 18,900 acre reservoir was built to provide a dependable domestic water supply to a two-county area beginning in 1965. Construction of the $60 million project took five years to complete with the final filling of the lake in the early 1970s. Since that time, many improvements have been made resulting in the current quality facilities that are currently available. The Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area was developed to provide public hunting and other recreational opportunities.

Camping

Overnight visitors can stay at the Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park which has primitive and developed camp sites, or at the Corps of Engineers campgrounds on Rend Lake. For those who prefer not to camp, the Rend Lake Resort, which has waterside rooms and marina facilities, is located within Wayne Fitzgerrell.

Boating

Boating enthusiasts will find easy access to Rend Lake. Within the Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, eight of the 19 public access areas provide launching ramps. There are also five additional ramps within the subimpoundment used seasonally for waterfowl hunting. Rend Lake is a relatively shallow reservoir averaging less than ten feet in depth with many submerged and exposed stumps, therefore, boaters must be alert while operating in these areas.

Hunting

Rend Lake has earned the reputation of being one of the better waterfowl hunting areas in the state for both ducks and geese. The subimpoundment dams located across the Big Muddy River and Casey Fork Creek and the upstream areas they impound, are planted to a variety of crops and are flooded when mature for optimum waterfowl hunting. A daily drawing is conducted on site for the allocation of goose pits at the popular Whistling Wings Access Area and staked locations throughout the Casey Fork Sumimpoundment. There are also considerable acreages at high elevations that provide excellent habitat and opportunity for archery and firearm deer hunting. Another popular attraction is the annual controlled pheasant hunt held at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park.   For additional hunting information see: Hunter Fact Sheet

Fishing

Rend Lake, being a relatively shallow reservoir, is quite productive for both sport and commercial fish. All species of fish common to southern Illinois can be found at Rend Lake; however, abundant and large crappie and channel catfish will delight any angler. Hybrid striped bass are also a popular catch and flathead catfish have become established generating considerable angler interest. A commercial fishing program is conducted each winter which allows the general public to purchase fresh buffalo, carp and other commercial species.

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