Rend Lake
Location 18900 acres
Fishing Outlook
Flathead Catfish
Good
Twenty-nine flathead catfish were collected in the 2025 survey ranging in size from 7-33 inches in length.
Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)
Fair
Eight striped bass hybrids were collected in the 2025 fall survey. The hybrids collected were 4-14 inches in length. One of the best areas to target these hybrid stripers is in the spillway/tailwater area in the spring. Striped bass hybrids (31,408 1-2 inches) were stocked in 2025. Striped bass hybrids are stocked annually when available. Site Regulation: 20 daily limit, not more than 3 exceeding 17"
Bluegill
Average
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. A small number of bluegill over 8 inches are observed in fisheries surveys.
Crappie spp.
Good
Fall 2025 sampling indicated that the portion of the crappie population (both black and white crappie) comprised of fish over 10 inches is 13%. Another 10% of the crappie collected were between 9-10 inches. The number of crappie over 12” in length remains stable and relatively low. One percent of the crappie collected in the 2025 survey were over 12 inches. When separating out white crappie the population looks much better. Twenty-one percent of the white crappie collected were over 10 inches and 3% were over 12 inches. Of the 1916 crappie collected, 68% were white crappie and 32% were black crappie. One blacknose crappie was collected. The was the first documented blacknose crappie collected from Rend Lake during fisheries surveys. There are a large number of 5-8 inch crappie (both species) indicating a very large spawn 3-4 years ago. Site Regulation: White, Black or Hybrid Crappie: 25 daily limit, not more than 10 exceeding 10".
White Bass
Good
During the 2025 survey, white bass were collected at a rate of 65 fish/hr. White bass fishing should be good in 2026. Anglers can expect the catchable population to be largely comprised of fish 10”- 15” in length and weighing 1-2 pounds. Site Regulation: 20 daily limit, not more than 3 exceeding 17".
Largemouth Bass
Very Good
Bass fishing at Rend Lake should be very good in 2026. Based on the 2025 fall survey, the percentage of bass exceeding the 14" minimum length limit was 28%. Another 17% of the bass population was 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. Five percent of the bass collected in the 2025 survey were over 18 inches. Bass were collected at a rate of 147 bass/hr. The largest bass collected was 5.7 pounds. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit, 14" minimum length limit.
Channel Catfish
Excellent
The fishing prospects for channel catfish remain excellent for 2026. Natural reproduction and recruitment continue to be very strong, and are responsible for maintaining the large population of fish in the Rend Lake. In the coming year, channel catfish from 1–4 pounds should be abundant. 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 2026.
| 2025 | Largemouth Bass | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 165762 |
| 2025 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 31408 |
| 2024 | Largemouth Bass | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 990 |
| 2024 | Largemouth Bass | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 242011 |
| 2023 | Largemouth Bass | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 12536 |
Contact
618-629-2320
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 13 miles long and 3 miles wide and has 162 miles of shoreline. It is the second largest impoundment in Illinois.Fishery History
In addition to traditional sport fish, Rend Lake also contains large populations of Common Carp, buffalo, gar, Freshwater Drum, and shad. The fish population is surveyed annually. Hybrid Striped Bass and Largemouth Bass are stocked annually when available.
Site Regulations
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations:
- Recreational Use Restriction: Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area
- All Fish: All jugs must be attended at all times
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: 14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass: 20 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 3 fish greater than or equal to 17 inches
- White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 fish greater than or equal to 10 inches
Additional Information
Planning to eat your catch? Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory Page
You can find Fish Attractor maps for Rend Lake here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/d9114370-0607-4cc0-8433-f02f754826df
Bath Map
