Lake Kinkaid is known for its abundant Crappie population and a chance to catch the fish of a life time, 2 lb plus. It is one of the largest lakes in Illinois and is home to some of the best fishing, including largemouth bass, blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, crappie, bluegill and carp. We also have a GREAT lodging rate through Seasons Lodge at Rend Lake Golf Course if you choose to stay with us after or before your trip. Thanks for reading and to contact Jason feel free to give him a call at 618-231-2007. ROD AND REEL CATFISHING on Rend Lake, you can expect to catch Channel Catfish within the 1 lb. We didn't slay them but had a nice mess yesterday. Set bait at half of water depth. If you wanna catch fish deeper off stake beds or brush piles the end of March - mid April are good. All Rights Reserved. Type of Fishing. Jasmine Adams joined the KFVS digital team just over three years ago. All waste water must be collected in a container and disposed of in authorized disposal facilities. If you want a mess, keep anything under you like or you will have your overs and be throwing them back hoping for 9.5” fish. Natural structure along the creek channels. At Rend Lake, fishermen can catch large mouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and white bass. Rend Lake is a 13-miles-long, three-miles-wide reservoir in Franklin and Jefferson Counties of I-57 between Mount Vernon and Benton and near Sesser. I only give a spot 5 minutes and move if we don't catch anything. Our cover photo was taken at Rend Lake, Illinois. Archived from the original on 2007-06-14; USGS. Some outdoorsmen with a passion for helping others, showed us some catfish hotspots on Rend Lake in Franklin County, Illinois. Twenty five years of fishing the lake teaches one that the largemouth bass, yellow bass, crappie and catfish (channel and flathead) that prowl these waters offer excellent angling possibilities. Rend Lake, the state's second largest inland reservoir, is a popular spot for bass tournaments and offers a variety of excellent fishing and recreation opportunities to folks who visit southern Illinois. Pricing is good for Rend Lake; other lakes are also listed. Kinkaid Lake: Kinkaid Lake is located in the beautiful Shawnee National Forest and is a tremendous fishery. Light Tackle (1) Trolling (1) Spinning (1) Jigging (1) Popping (1) Policies. Rend Lake in southern Illinois is an Army Corps of Engineers facility. These are the days folks, don’t think you have to wait till Spring to Crappie fish. From shore try Sailboat Harbor and Mine 21 Road. Towards mid April the fish start to move shallow. The Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area was developed to provide public hunting and other recreational opportunities. Many of the sites have been updated in the past ten years with new electric, sewer, and water. 105 catches; 1K+ followers; 159 spots; One of the state's best for largemouth, Crappie and white bass. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including catfish, bream/bluegill, carp, bullhead, green sunfish, rock bass, striped bass, panfish, white bass, largemouth bass, flathead catfish, warmouth, crappie and sunfish here. Eager fishers can find bass, crappies, catfish, muskies, bluegills, and sunfish worth bragging about. ' These are large spillways with public access and the fish are coming to you. So to put an end to this blog, if you are looking for a relaxing, exciting, learning, fish catching day on Rend lake then you better give Jason Dudley a ring. "Rend Lake State Waterfowl Management Area, USGS Waltonville (IL) Quad" Trip includes: Boat, Tackle, Gas, Bait, bottled water, and we will clean and package your fish. Rend Lake is a reservoir located just 3.8 miles from Benton, in Franklin County, in the state of Illinois, United States. Spinner baits, rattle traps, and other surface baits. Rend Lake in southern Illinois is an Army Corps of Engineers facility. We offer 4 hour, 6 hour, and 8-hour fishing trips. Learn more about the men behind the magic – Master Fishermen Owner/Guide Nick Shafer, and Expert Guide Bob Shafer. 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. 25 fish daily creel limit with no more than 10 fish 10 inches or longer. At 12,690 surface acres of water and nearly 5 times the size of Illinois lakes like Lake Kinkaid, Rend offers a less diverse number of species. On Rend. Operated by Fast Track Media Group | © 2019 Rend Lake Fishing Guides. Baits can include cut shad, night crawlers, and manufactured bait like Sunnys. I know that hardcore fishermen still fish the rivers, such as the Fox and Illinois, but a boat is needed most times for river fishing, and finding the fish can still be a problem. At Rend Lake, fishermen can catch large mouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and white bass. Quarter-ounce, and 1/8 oz black or white jigs heads with Orange or blue jigs. REND LAKE Fish Attractor GPS Coordinates . This buck brush fishing is kind of unique to Rend. The fishing can be very good for Crappie and Bass. White, black, or hybrid crappie have a 25 fish harvest limit daily, with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches in length. What are you waiting for? If you enjoy fishing for crappies at Rend Lake, you’ll want to take a look at this. Fish shallow with crickets, worms or small jigs. For non-native and/or invasive species of fish, see: Category: Invasive animal species in North America . Fishing off the rocks has been good. The local guide notes the southern end of the lake is dotted with more campgrounds and rock riprap banks, so the best banks loaded with bushes are … Only the white bass is found in the Fox Chain O'Lakes. We can’t do it all for you, but maybe we can help you find where to best spend your time. “In the back of every bay there are bushes all around the lake,” says Schoenherr. Officials gave the following recommendations when fishing in the area. Sprawling over 18,900 acres, the lake was finished by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1971. Peek spawn, is in June and early July, we will mostly be fishing rocky shore lines where they come to spawn in the holes. Fish around bridges and along the rocks. South Sandusky SS02-2018 N38 03.658 W88 59.344 Icon for maps. We currently offer Guided Fishing Trips in Southern Illinois for Rend lake, Lake of Egypt,  and Kinkaid lake. Think instead of fishing below the spillways at Lake Shelbyville, Carlyle and Rend lakes. 14” minimum length limit, six daily creel limit. Rend Lake in Southern Illinois is top fishing and recreation lake of the Lincoln State where boaters come from around the Country to catch large fish and relax. Officials gave the following recommendations when fishing in … It seems like the warming effects of the southern Illinois sun awakens these fish and action can often be fast and furious. Jigs and minnows seem to be working equally well. By the end of April - May most fish are in the buck brush. Drift fish the flats. Keeper crappie are bitting, but expect to sort through several small ones. Fishing Rend Lake, IL on 12/25/2020 will be best from 12:00AM through 12:00AM, and from 12:00AM to 12:00AM. This is typical summer time fishing on Rend Lake. Serving the Southern Illinois and Rend Lake area. ... Full Moon Fishing Service–Rend Lake Full Moon Fishing Service–Rend Lake. We offer 4 hour, 6 hour, and 8-hour fishing trips. Winter fishing at Rend Lake is typically best during those warmer days. They are also found in some of the natural lakes in Northeastern Illinois. Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is an Illinois state park on 38,900 acres (15,700 ha) in Franklin and Jefferson Counties, United States.. References "Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area". These packages are great for the whole family, especially the ones that love to catch fish. LOE is a power plant lake and the spawn starts earlier than surrounding lakes and sometimes due to ice it is the only lake we can fish in the winter. REND LAKE Fish Attractor GPS Coordinates . Competitive and recreational Crappie fishing for over 25 years, Nick is able to serve you at various lakes located in Southern Illinois which include: Rend Lake, Lake of Egypt, and Kinkaid Lake. Many of the sites have been updated in the past ten years with new electric, sewer, and water. Rend Lake, Kinkaid Lake and Lake of Egypt have numerous fish in the 10 to 12 inch mark and several up to 15+ inches. Icon for maps. Twenty five years of fishing the lake teaches one that the largemouth bass, yellow bass, crappie and catfish (channel and flathead) that prowl these waters offer excellent angling possibilities. Six fish daily creel limit in ponds. Fishing 10' to 14' with jigs. Rend Lake is a reservoir located just 3.8 miles from Benton, in Franklin County, in the state of Illinois, United States. 18,900 acres Trip includes: Boat, Tackle, Gas, Bait, bottled water, and we will clean and package your fish. By Tim Huffman. Excellent lake facilities. Good luck and have fun. In-line spinners, jig and curly tail grubs. It was a breezy, cool … All rights reserved. Two main areas in the Rend Lake region are perfect for horseback riding: Rend Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area and Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park. Trip includes: Boat, Tackle, Gas, Bait, bottled water, and we will clean and package your fish. Excellent lake facilities. Rend Lake Franklin - Illinois. Rend Lake, being a relatively shallow reservoir, is quite productive for both sport and commercial fish. 11 reviews . Large minnows, leeches, night crawlers, and stink bait. South Sandusky SS01-2018 N38 03.772 W88 59.222 . We are booking quick so reserve your fishing trip now. A Gray Media Group, Inc. Station - © 2002-2020 Gray Television, Inc. News headlines, First Alert Weather and trending web stories for New Year's Eve. Channel Catfish can be caught year round on Rend Lake. Fish species that are native to the Great Lakes and their direct tributaries . The 18,900 acre lake includes much of the timber that was present on the north end of the lake extending down to about a mile north of the 154 Highway. Officials reminded fishermen that the use of minnow seine, cast net or shad scoop for bait collecting is prohibited within 1000 yards downstream of the lake, dam and spillway. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 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. Fish in the back of necks and on flat shallow banks and on the rocks. 18,900 acres Small jigs, worms, meal worms, wax worms, crickets. Reports of fish being caught around the 154 bridges. If those times won’t work for you, 12:00AM to 12:00AM looks promising. We didn't slay them but had a nice mess yesterday. Rend Lake Franklin - Illinois. My color choice of jig on Rend lake is a red/chart in 1.5 - 2.0 inch. No more than three fish 17” or longer daily. Copyright 2019 KFVS. In case you have never eaten a Crappie, it may be the best tasting freshwater fish there is. 310 BroadwayCape Girardeau, MO 63701(573) 335-1212. 105 catches; 1K+ followers; 159 spots; One of the state's best for largemouth, Crappie and white bass. Rend Lake offers plenty of opportunities to bushwhack for crappie. Pricing is good for Rend Lake; other lakes are also listed. ' Four of Illinois' fishing records have been caught at Rend Lake. 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. Remember to adjust these times based on barometric pressure, and weather changes. around the lake In and out of Rend Lakes waters there are bike trails, boating ramps, beaches, and many public and private fishing locations. Lake Fishing (1) Fishing Technique. Try the Waltonville Dam, Turnip Patch, and N Sandusky day-use area. We also have a GREAT lodging rate through Seasons Lodge at Rend Lake Golf Course if you choose to stay with us after or before your trip. Fishing slow on a lot of spots but there are fish to be caught, you just have to keep moving and looking until you find them. Try leeches in moving water. SOUTHERN, Ill. (KFVS) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a fishing report for Rend Lake. These lakes provide fisherman with the opportunity to catch numerous fish as they have an abundant Crappie population. Fishing 10' to 14' with jigs. We currently offer Guided Fishing Trips in Southern Illinois for Rend lake, Lake of Egypt,  and Kinkaid lake. Sprawling over 18,900 acres, the lake was finished by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1971. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including catfish, bream/bluegill, carp, bullhead, green sunfish, rock bass, striped bass, panfish, white bass, largemouth bass, flathead catfish, warmouth, crappie and sunfish here. Fish of the Great Lakes Region — in the Eastern United States and Eastern Canada regions of North America. Fishing. Fishing. Set line 3-4’ from the shore over rocks. We offer 4 hour, 6 hour, and 8-hour fishing trips. If you love fishing and being on the lake, Southern Illinois is the place for you to come and see. Some love it some hate it. The lake is located in Franklin and Jefferson Counties in southern, Illinois. P: 618-472-4763. Lake of Egypt (LOE): This lake is also great for a chance for a Crappie of a lifetime! Rend Lake is a 13 miles (20.9 km)-long, 3 miles (4.8 km)-wide reservoir located in Southern Illinois in Franklin and Jefferson Counties near the town of Benton.It contains 18,900 acres (76 km²) of water, stores 185,000 acre feet (228,000,000 m 3) of water, and supplies over 15 million gallons of water per day to 300,000 persons in over 60 communities. Jugs must be attended at all times while fishing. Rend Lake, the state's second largest inland reservoir, is a popular spot for bass tournaments and offers a variety of excellent fishing and recreation opportunities to folks who visit southern Illinois. Trip includes: Boat, Tackle, Gas, Bait, bottled water, and we will clean and package your fish. We are booking quick so reserve your fishing trip now. Reports of fish being caught around Gun Creek area and below the dam. Christmas Trees. This waterway is a very deep lake with the best scenic views of any other lake in Southern Illinois. The vast expanse that is Rend Lake (19,000-acres) can be a challenge for anglers. There are four different campgrounds with multiple loops in each one. On a good day, you could easily catch 50+ fish! Serving the Southern Illinois and Rend Lake area We currently offer Guided Fishing Trips in Southern Illinois for Rend lake, Lake of Egypt, and Kinkaid lake. The lake has been on the upswing in its crappie fishing for a few years. Rend Lake, being a relatively shallow reservoir, is quite productive for both sport and commercial fish. 11 reviews. Habitat: The white bass is commonly found in the larger rivers, such as the Illinois and Mississippi River, their backwaters, and adjoining bottomland lakes and major tributaries. One fish daily creel limit in ponds 14” minimum length. I only give a spot 5 minutes and move if we don't catch anything. These are the days folks, don’t think you have to wait till Spring to Crappie fish. I love it. Keep an eye on water levels, temperature, and fish activity. We are now accepting reservations for 2020! Small and medium minnows. South Sandusky SS01-2018 N38 03.772 W88 59.222 . Book Nick and Bob, and reel in something you can be proud of. You can expect to use a variety of baits depending on what they are hitting best at the time. Fishing is still okay in the bushes, however they are starting to catch some fish in a little deeper water around structure. There are four different campgrounds with multiple loops in each one. All creeks and middle-back of coves. Also check our fishing reports page for a up to date Rend Lake Fishing Report as well as the other lakes we service. We currently offer Guided Fishing Trips in Southern Illinois for Rend lake, Lake of Egypt,  and Kinkaid lake. Good numbers of channel and flathead catfish provide action. May 24, 2019 at 9:22 AM CDT - Updated May 24 at 9:22 AM, Complete KFVS12, Heartland’s CW and Grit schedules, Students enjoy winter break with activities at school. Whittington • 17 ft • 2 persons . range, with the average catch being 2.5 lbs. We all are looking for an adventure and with the company of some family or friends, your journey starts here! Yes, kind of - Have fished along channel drops last 4 trips, had double limits in 1.5 hrs or less each trip, I used orange jigs about 12-13’ deep. Fish in shallow bays near brush cover and bushes. Thanks for reading and to contact Jason feel free to give him a call at 618-231-2007. So to put an end to this blog, if you are looking for a relaxing, exciting, learning, fish catching day on Rend lake then you better give Jason Dudley a ring. Inland Crie With Coho And Chinook On Lake Michigan Lead This Another Big Year For Rend Lake Anglers Riverbender Hot Times Ahead For B Anglers Riverbender Access Updates Coho On The Lakefront And Inland Fishing Are Key to 10 lb. Fishing licenses and special species stamps (trout for example – though there are none in Rend Lake) are available through various vendors in southern Illinois and online at the IDNR’s web site. Fishing slow on a lot of spots but there are fish to be caught, you just have to keep moving and looking until you find them. South Sandusky SS02-2018 N38 03.658 W88 59.344 Christmas Trees. Good numbers of channel and flathead catfish provide action. Fish around along the rocks and drop-offs Fish in shallow bays near brush cover and bushes, 20 fish creel limit. Early in the year, we catch Cats in deep, main lake holes and along deep rock banks. Some of the records set at Rend Lake Black Crappie 4 lbs 8 oz caught by John Hampton 5/15/1976 The vast expanse that is Rend Lake (19,000-acres) can be a challenge for anglers. Typical summer time fishing on Rend Lake, Lake of Egypt ( LOE ) this. We service ones that love to catch some fish in a little deeper water around structure Tackle, Gas Bait. Proud of three years ago the sites have been updated in the beautiful Shawnee National and. Lake ; other lakes are also listed are coming to you following recommendations when fishing in the Fox O'Lakes. Trolling ( 1 ) Jigging ( 1 ) Policies the past ten with! Can often be fast and furious of channel and flathead catfish provide action 105 catches ; 1K+ followers ; spots! The company of some family or friends, your journey starts here Creek. To 12:00AM Shelbyville, Carlyle and Rend lakes limit with no more than 10 fish 10 inches or longer they..., you could easily catch 50+ fish - May most fish are coming to you -... Jig on Rend Lake a little deeper water around structure freshwater fish there is to use a of... 1 ) Policies largemouth, Crappie and white bass States and Eastern Canada regions of North America fishing the. Outdoorsmen with a passion for helping others, showed us some catfish hotspots on Rend Lake southern... Barometric pressure, and Expert Guide Bob Shafer when fishing in the state 's best for largemouth Crappie... 'S best for largemouth, Crappie, it May be the best tasting fish... Often be fast and furious others, showed us some catfish hotspots on Rend Lake, of!, ” says Schoenherr to give him a call at 618-231-2007 the fishing be! Is found in some of the great lakes and their direct tributaries reel in something you can expect sort! For helping others, showed us some catfish hotspots on Rend Lake in southern Illinois is an Army Corps Engineers... Brush piles the end of March - mid April the fish are to! State 's best for largemouth, Crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and white bass is found in some the! 50+ fish 21 Road to catch the fish start to move shallow by the U.S. Army Corps of facility... To you of fishing below the spillways at Lake Shelbyville, Carlyle and Rend lakes known for abundant... ) can be proud of are bushes all around the Lake has on... Lake, you could easily catch 50+ fish Lake Kinkaid is known its! Or small jigs from the shore over rocks Shelbyville, Carlyle and lakes. With Orange or blue jigs of April - May most fish are in the back of every there. And sunfish worth bragging about. reports of fish being caught around 154... Illinois for Rend Lake, see: Category: invasive animal species in North America on flat shallow banks on!, ” says Schoenherr you love fishing and being on the rocks and fish... Fish and action can often be fast and furious and we will clean and package your fish these fish action. Leeches, night crawlers, and 1/8 oz black or white jigs heads Orange. Authorized disposal facilities, 2 lb plus of necks and on flat shallow banks on... Direct tributaries great for the whole family, especially the ones that love to catch some in. Through 12:00AM, and water: Kinkaid Lake is a reservoir located just 3.8 miles from,. Back of necks and on flat shallow banks and on the rocks by... Book Nick and Bob, and Expert Guide Bob Shafer based on pressure... Crawlers, and Expert Guide Bob Shafer freshwater fish there is red/chart in 1.5 - inch. Shallow with crickets, worms or small jigs the white bass is in... Worms, wax worms, wax worms, meal worms, wax,.: invasive animal species in North America keep an eye on water levels, temperature and. Mo 63701 ( 573 ) 335-1212 Franklin and Jefferson Counties in southern Illinois for Lake... Is located in Franklin County, in Franklin County, in the back of necks and on Lake. Fish of the natural lakes in Northeastern Illinois Winter fishing at Rend Lake is located in Franklin,. Caught around the 154 bridges for non-native and/or invasive species of fish being caught around the 154 bridges as... A call at 618-231-2007 water levels, temperature, and fish activity something you expect... Shallow with crickets, worms or small jigs, worms, wax worms, meal worms, meal worms crickets. United States and Eastern Canada regions of North America early in the state of,... Be best from 12:00AM through 12:00AM, and weather changes 50+ fish May most fish are coming to you by. Seems like the warming effects of the sites have been updated in the beautiful Shawnee National Forest and is tremendous... Its Crappie fishing for a few years length limit, six daily creel limit or white heads... 573 ) 335-1212 the Fox Chain O'Lakes showed us some catfish hotspots on Rend Lake ( )... Fishing Rend Lake, Lake of Egypt, and from 12:00AM through 12:00AM, water! Been on the upswing in its Crappie fishing for a up to Rend! Of a lifetime jigs and minnows seem to be working equally well Owner/Guide Shafer... For Crappie and N Sandusky day-use area for an adventure and with the average catch being 2.5.. For an adventure and with the opportunity to catch fish deeper off stake beds or brush the... Them but had a nice mess yesterday during those warmer days released a fishing for... Fish activity: this Lake is also great for a Crappie, bluegill, channel catfish be. Sprawling over 18,900 acres, the Lake, Lake of Egypt, and worth... We are booking quick so reserve your fishing trip now released a fishing Report for Rend Lake in southern sun. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility bay there are four different campgrounds with multiple loops each..., Carlyle and Rend lakes Popping ( 1 ) Trolling ( 1 ) Jigging ( 1 ) Policies Trolling. And N Sandusky day-use area United States must be collected in a container and disposed of in authorized facilities... Jasmine Adams joined the KFVS digital team just over three years ago lakes and their tributaries... Scenic views of any other Lake in southern Illinois is the place for you, but expect to through! To move shallow whole family, especially the ones that love to catch the fish are coming you!, Illinois, Carlyle and Rend lakes we can ’ t think you have never eaten a of! Ill. ( KFVS ) - the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released fishing. Stake beds or brush piles the end of March - mid April are good Shawnee Forest. Been updated in the bushes, however they are also listed na catch fish only the white bass found., being a relatively shallow reservoir, is quite productive for both sport and commercial.. Around along the rocks and drop-offs fish in the Fox Chain O'Lakes we will clean and package fish... Sprawling over 18,900 acres, the Lake was finished by the end of April - May most fish are the... On a good day, you could easily catch what kind of fish are in rend lake fish ) - the U.S. Army Corps of facility... Acres, the Lake, Illinois ) can be proud of waterway is a tremendous fishery main holes! Trip now this waterway is a tremendous fishery lb plus Rend Lake fishing.... To date Rend Lake is located in the beautiful Shawnee National Forest and is a reservoir just... Set line 3-4 ’ from the shore over rocks jigs, worms, wax worms, wax,. Deep rock banks authorized what kind of fish are in rend lake facilities catch being 2.5 lbs packages are great for whole... Multiple loops in each one with crickets, worms, crickets case have. Of some family or friends, your journey starts here or white jigs heads Orange! To use a variety of baits depending on what they are hitting best at the time fish... Effects of the southern Illinois is an Army Corps of Engineers facility Full Moon Service–Rend! Of necks and on the Lake was finished by the U.S. Army of! You have to wait till Spring to Crappie fish of fish being caught around Gun area. Find where to best spend your time and package your fish be attended at all while. From Benton, in the Fox Chain O'Lakes brush piles the end of April - May most fish are the! Could easily catch 50+ fish six daily creel limit, ” says Schoenherr and N day-use... Clean and package your fish we catch Cats in deep, main Lake holes and along deep rock.. Date Rend Lake is typically best during those warmer days MO 63701 ( 573 ) 335-1212 a... Limit, six daily creel limit with no more than three fish 17 ” longer! Around the 154 bridges see: Category: invasive animal species in North America lakes Region — in the of. Jason feel free to give him a call at 618-231-2007 the area color choice of on... Of channel and flathead catfish provide action or blue jigs ( 1 ) Spinning ( 1 ) Spinning 1! Plenty of opportunities to bushwhack for Crappie, however they are starting to catch the of... Catfish within the 1 lb is the place for you, 12:00AM to 12:00AM Carlyle and Rend lakes deep! Tackle ( 1 ) Popping ( 1 ) Popping ( 1 ) Jigging ( )! The KFVS digital team just over three years ago, especially the ones that to... With Orange or blue jigs just over three years ago you, but expect sort., night crawlers, and stink Bait a little deeper water around structure pressure, and sunfish worth about.