Every Boat Ramp on Rend Lake

About Rend Lake

Rend Lake is the largest man-made lake in southern Illinois, spanning 18,900 acres across Franklin and Jefferson counties. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Big Muddy River, the lake serves as a regional water supply and one of the top fishing destinations in the Midwest. The extensive shallow flats and flooded timber provide outstanding crappie and largemouth bass habitat, drawing anglers from across several states.

The lake's 162 miles of shoreline offer endless structure for bass and crappie, while open-water trollers target white bass and walleye. Rend Lake has produced multiple state-record catches and consistently ranks among Illinois' best fishing lakes. The surrounding Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area and Rend Lake Resort provide full-service amenities, making it an ideal base for multi-day fishing trips.

Multiple well-maintained boat ramps are scattered around the reservoir, with the south sanbar and dam area ramps being the most popular. Spring crappie runs in March and April bring the heaviest angler traffic, but fall fishing for bass along rocky points can be equally rewarding.

Nearest towns: Benton, Mount Vernon, Sesser