The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (upper arm) is open for everyone; the other 3 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Rend Lake
Franklin County, Illinois · 20,600 acres (32.2 sq mi)
59°F water, windy Friday (16 mph NNW).
About Rend Lake
Rend Lake is a reservoir in Franklin County, Illinois, covering 20,600 acres. Rend Lake Dam holds it back on the Big Muddy River. Rend Lake is the second-largest lake in Illinois, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir with 162 miles of shoreline.
It stretches about 11.4 miles end to end with roughly 75 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 410 ft above sea level. The deepest water is about 35 ft, with an average depth near 10 ft. Ina is on the shore.
- Size
- 20,600 acres (32.2 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 35 ft (average 10 ft)
- Shoreline
- About 75 miles
- End to end
- About 11.4 miles
- Elevation
- About 410 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- Dam
- Rend Lake Dam, Big Muddy River
- County
- Franklin County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Fair
- 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise
- 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 16 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
- 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 2 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Rend Lake
The fish here: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish, catfish, striped bass and white bass. With the surface at 59°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodLargemouth bass
Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
- GoodCrappie
Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.
- FairBluegill and sunfish
Warming. Shallow, sunny pockets in the afternoon.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
- GoodStriped bass
Comfortable range. Watch for birds and surface feeding.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Upper arm
The lake narrows toward the incoming river or creek; moving water carries food.
- 2
- 3
- 4
3 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:35 am · sunset 4:44 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Rend Lake
- Inaon the shore
- Sesserabout 2.6 mi southwest
- Bentonabout 3.1 mi south
- Christopherabout 5.7 mi southwest
Prices and availability come from booking partners; we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Questions about Rend Lake
What fish are in Rend Lake?
Rend Lake holds largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish, catfish, striped bass and white bass. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Rend Lake?
About 35 ft at the deepest point, about 10 ft on average. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Rend Lake?
20,600 acres, with about 75 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Rend Lake?
Ina is on the shore; Sesser is about 2.6 miles southwest.
What is the water temperature at Rend Lake today?
The surface was about 59°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Rend Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
