Biggest inland lakes in Illinois: the top 10 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Carlyle Lake

At 24,600 acres, Carlyle Lake is a big lake. It lies near Carlyle. Carlyle Dam holds it on the Kaskaskia River. The fish here are largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. At about 35 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. Its bed shows two steep ledges and a sheltered cove worth a first look.

Carlyle Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Rend Lake

Rend Lake covers 20,600 acres. You will find it next to Ina. Largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish are the draw. The deepest water is around 35 ft. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work. Rend Lake is the second-largest lake in Illinois, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir with 162 miles of shoreline.

Rend Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Peoria Lake

Peoria Lake is a natural lake of 15,500 acres. It lies right by Rome. Like most lakes its size in Illinois, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. At about 52 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. Peoria Lake is a wide, naturally shallow stretch of the Illinois River that has lost most of its original depth to sediment since the early 1900s.

Peoria Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Lake Shelbyville

Lake Shelbyville spreads over some 11,100 acres. It holds crappie, largemouth bass, walleye and white bass. At about 67 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake Shelbyville today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Crab Orchard Lake

Crab Orchard Lake covers 6,960 acres. You will find it near Crainville. It is the Crab Orchard Creek behind Crab Orchard Dam. It holds largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish. The deepest water is around 25 ft. Crab Orchard Lake lies within Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in southern Illinois.

Crab Orchard Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Clinton Lake

Clinton Lake is a reservoir of 4,900 acres. It lies about 3 miles northeast of Farmer City. It holds largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish. The deepest water is around 60 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Clinton Lake was built in the 1970s on Salt Creek to supply cooling water to the Clinton Nuclear Power Station.

Clinton Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Springfield

Lake Springfield spreads over some 4,220 acres. The lake is near Southern View. It is the Sugar Creek behind Spaulding Dam. The usual Illinois mix applies: largemouth bass, walleye, crappie and bluegill. The deepest water is around 30 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. Lake Springfield was formed by damming Sugar Creek and Lick Creek and serves as Springfield, Illinois's municipal water supply.

Lake Springfield today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Lake Decatur

Lake Decatur spreads over 3,090 acres. The lake is right by Decatur. The usual Illinois mix applies: largemouth bass, walleye, crappie and bluegill. The deepest water is around 22 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Lake Decatur today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Sangchris Lake

Sangchris Lake spreads over 3,020 acres of water. The lake is about 13 miles northwest of Springfield. Largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish are the draw. The deepest water is around 38 ft. Sangchris Lake's name blends the Sangamon River and Christian County, and it was built as a cooling reservoir for a power plant.

Sangchris Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Kinkaid Lake

Kinkaid Lake spreads over some 2,750 acres. The lake is about 4.5 miles east of Murphysboro. Largemouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill and crappie are the draw. The deepest water is around 80 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Kinkaid Lake, formed by damming Kinkaid Creek in 1972, is the deepest lake in southern Illinois at about 80 feet.

Kinkaid Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Big water, big days

The bigger the lake, the more the wind matters. Plan the day around the forecast, start on the sheltered side and give yourself a way home if it builds.