REND LAKE FISHING Illinois Departmentof /_| Natural Resources LOCATION OF THE THREE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS RESERVOIRSIN ILLINOIS TUSCOLA & DAM CHESTER ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF FISHERIES END LAK FISHING GUI BY LARRY B. CRUSE RESERVOIR FISHERY BIOLOGIST AND REVISIONS BY HARRYL. WIGHT RESERVIORS PROGRAM MANAGER MARCH 1996 In Illinois, one has the opportunity to fish many kinds of INTRODUCTION waters; ranging from small artificial lakes to large Corps of Engineers reservoirs, small fast flowing smallmouth Of all outdoor activities, there are few more appealing to bass streams to the mighty Mississippi River; and river thousands ofIllinoisans than fishing, regardlessof their bottomland lakes to Lake Michigan. In terms of acreage, age, sex or financial status. What specifically there is Ilinoisans have 281,475 acresofprivate, public and federal about fishing that appeais to so many is often difficult to impoundments, 256,574 acres of streams and rivers, and describe. To one angler, it may mean a peaceful, 976,640 acres of Lake Michigan in which to fish. One’s meditative way to spend a dayoff. To another, it may be choiceof fish to catchis aiso varied, ranging from bluegiil, the challengeof limiting-out or catching a trophy-size fish. carp, crappie, catfish and bass to walleye, northern pike, Otheranglers feel that fishing is simply great fun. trout and salmon. In one manneror another, man has probably fished since Conversely to what one might believe, fishing is as good, the beginning of time. Archeological evidence (fish bones, if not better, than it was 30 to 60 years ago. Factors con- spears, and crude stone hooks)indicates that the taking tributing towards more and better angling opportunities of fish for food wasan integral part of early man’s life. The have been due primarily to: (1) the emphasis on eliminating importance of fish, and the esteem in which they were pollution of our lakes, rivers and streams; (2) improved and held, was further reflected in the statuary, paintings, more diligent use of soil and water conservation tech- carvings, pottery and jewelry of its artisans. Throughout niques; (3) building of numerous water supply ponds, recorded history, the taking of fish has played a major role lakes, power and flood control reservoirs; and (4) improved inthe development ofcivilizations and nations. The abun- fisheries management techniques. danceoffish in the lakes and streams of the New World was,in fact instrumental in spurring many Europeans into Illinois’ sport fisheries managementis geared to produce settling the United States. “more and better fishing” throughout the State. As a result, many of our waters now support excellent popula- Today, although Americans still consume millions of tions of sport fishes. However,we frequently find that even pounds of fish from our inland waters and bordering wherethere are large numbersof desirable-size fish, they oceans, the pursuit of fish for food is no longer the main are not always Caught in proportions to their abundance. reason for going fishing. Fishing has become a sport, a Therefore, it is for those people who are just beginning pleasurable, relaxing activity, a means of getting away to fish or who are unfamiliar with our waters that we try from one’s tension-filled technical world and back to the to provide some of the basic whats, wheres, and howsof wondersof the outdoor world. sport fishing. LAKE DESCRIPTION Typical of most Illinois waters, Rend Lake becomes chemically and thermally stratified during the summer Situated amidst the gently rolling hills of Franklin and months. Generally from early June to mid-September, the Jefferson Counties, Rend Lake is the second largest dissolved oxygen becomes quite low or non-existent inland impoundmentin Illinois. Completed by the U.S. below the 15 footlevel. Thus, sumemrtime anglers should Army Corpsof Engineersin 1971, this huge lake has rapidly avoid fishing below this level as few fish will be caught. become one of the more popular recreational playgrounds in southern Illinois. Included with this fishing guide are maps showing the hydrological features of the lake, plus the major recrea- Rend Lakeaffords good fishing, boating, skiing, sailing tion areas, surrounding roads and water depths. These can and hunting opportunities. Numerous Corps of Engineer also be used to find the old road beds, flooded timber, recreational areas and WayneFitzgerrell State Recreation boating hazards or your way around Rend Lake. Areas provide excellent camping, picnicking and boating facilities. Nature and equestrian trails, swimming Recreationalists will find excellent highway access to beaches, and professional 18-hole golf course are addi- Rend Lake. State routes 148, 127, 51, 15, 13, 154, 34 and tional attractions found around the lake. 37 provide direct routing to the lake. East of Sesser, Route 154 transects the mid-portion of Rend lake, Interstate 57, Rend Lake was formed by constructing a 2 mile com- which joins with Interstate 64, 70, 74 and 80, runs parallel pacted earthen dam across the wide Big Muddy River to the east side of the lake and provides the least con- Floodplain, approximately 3 miles northwest of Benton. gested, carefree travel route to Rend Lake. The waterlevel is controlled by a 435 foot concrete spillway at 410 feet mean sea level (M.S.L.) with a lower notch with it is only about a 4 hour trip from Bloomington, 3 hours” a width of 31 feet and a depth of 5 feet to maintain an from Springfield or Champaign-Urbana,1% hours from the average lake level of 406 feet M.S.L. St. Louis-East St. Louis metropolitan area, or 6 hours from Chicago to Rend Lake. Being a multipurpose reservoir in nature, Rend Lake was built to provide a source of water supply, flood control pro- tection, recreation, fish and wildlife conservation, and to ACCESS AREAS, SERVICE & ensure downstream waterquality. RECREATIONALFACILITIES The general configuration of Rend Lake is a broad “Y”. Illinoisans going to Rend Lake will generally find this At an average pool level of 406 feet M.S.L., this lake covers recreational complex has everything needed to satisfy 18,900 acres. It has a shoreline of 162 miles. The normal their outing desires. Table 1, found on the following page length and width of the Lake is 13 and 3 miles, respect- provides a quick reference to the public facilities found ively. The maximum depth of Rend Lakeis 35 feet with an at each of the major recreation areas. These areas range average depth of 9.7 feet. in quality from the most modernto those having facilities developed just to meet one’s basic needs. Another out- Principal tributaries of the Lake are the Big Muddy River standing feature of the Rend Lake Complex is the number and Casey Fork. The lake remains quite clear throughout of access areas which enabie the public to use every por- the year due to the silt settling nature of the subimpound- tion of the lake, depending on their interest. ment dams on the above two streams at the head end (upper-end)of the lake. Major bays of the lake are Marcum The Dam West Recreation Area, located at the south- Branch, Gun Creek, Atchison Creek, Jackie Branch and western corner of the lake, is a lovely 37 acre picnic and Sandusky Creek. Two large penninsulasof the lake, Nason . launching area. it also has grills, water and sanitary Point and WayneFitzgerrell State Recreation Area are facilities. it’s a pleasant spot to enjoy one’s outdoor meal dominant land features of the lake. while watching the boating and waterskiing activities. The Rend Lake Corps of Engineers Management Office is That portion of Rend Lakelying north of Route 154 is quite located on the hillside directly north of this area. shallow; generally 10 feet or less in depth. However,it also provides some ofthe bestfish habitat and fishing found Rend Lake Marina is located one-half mile north of Dam onthe lake. Much of the existing timber of the Big Muddy West and is presently the only full service marina on the and Casey Fork Arms surrounding Nason Point wasleft lake. Bait and tackle, tour and guide service, rental boats intact and flooded upon impoundment. Boatways were and motors, gas and oil, snack items, motor repair service, cleared where dense timber stands wereleft uncut. Some daily and yearly dockagerental, plus boat and motor sales timber in Gun Creek wasalso flooded upon impoundment. are the primary service features of this area. South of Route 154, Rend Lake is deeper in nature. Sandusky Creek Bay, the largest arm of the lake south of However, boaters unfamiliar with the lake should be aware Route 154 separates two of the most modern recreational that there are anumberof shallow areas with only one to sites on the lake — South and North Sandusky Recrea- three foot water depths,particularly in the Gun Creek and tion Areas. Paved camp pads, electrical hook-ups, flush Dam West Access Areas. These hazardous areas are toilets, dump stations, showers and two amphitheaters indicated on the maps includedin this fishing guide. are top features of these two Corps of Engineers areas. ND Combined, there are 239 camp units (tables, grill and the Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area. Within the campsite) and 10 walk-in tent sites, plus 5 picnic shelters, boundariesof this 3,300-acre park, one can find 265 modern 2 boat launching ramps, 80 picnic units, and water and camp units, 45 primitive tent sites, 4 picnic shelters, 5 boat playground equipment in the two areas. South Sandusky launching ramps and 150 picnic units. Campers will find also has aswimming beach, bath house and naturetrail. that each modern camping unit has a table, grill, pad and Both areas rate high scenicly.