Rend Lake

Rend Lake — Illinois

Located in the heart of Southern Illinois, Rend Lake is one of the Midwest’s premier fishing and outdoor recreation destinations. Spanning approximately 18,900 acres, this expansive reservoir offers anglers an incredible combination of open water, submerged structure, shallow coves, and productive fishing habitat.

Rend Lake is especially well known for its outstanding crappie fishing, attracting anglers from across the country in pursuit of both black and white crappie. With an abundance of brush piles, standing timber, creek channels, and submerged structure, the lake provides excellent fishing opportunities throughout the year.

Beyond crappie, Rend Lake offers fishing for largemouth bass, catfish, white bass, and other popular freshwater species. Whether you’re an experienced tournament angler or planning a relaxing weekend on the water, Rend Lake offers something for every level of fisherman.

Located near Benton and Whittington, Illinois, the lake is surrounded by public boat ramps, marinas, campgrounds, lodging, restaurants, and local fishing businesses, making it an excellent destination for both day trips and extended fishing vacations.

Explore Rend Lake with Crappie Masters Plus to discover local fishing reports, boat ramps, fishing guides, bait and tackle shops, accommodations, and everything you need to plan your next trip.