Rend Lake in southern Illinois offers anglers the opportunity to fish for bluegill, catfish, bass, crappie, and white bass. The 13-mile lake with small islands covers 19,000 acres and is surrounded by 160 miles of shoreline. Conditions are fertile for predator fish and baitfish in the grassy bottoms of the lake’s shallow river arms. The areas of shallow waters offer plenty of places for fish to hide, including rocks and grass/brush. These areas are prime spots for fishing in warm weather. You can find promising fishing along the rocky points at any given time – you just have to find the perfect depth. Throughout the lake, you’ll find schools of crappie and white bass trailing behind baitfish. The lake has more than twelve boat launch ramps that make the water easily accessible by boat.

driving directions

Rend Lake boat ramps:

The following boat ramps provide access to Rend Lake.