About Rend Lake Fishing
Recommended Bait
Some of the best bait for Largemouth Bass is plastic worms or crankbaits, especially in natural colors like green and brown.
Some of the best bait for Crappie is small minnows or jigs, especially in bright colors like chartreuse and white.
Install the onWater app today and get the latest fishing spot info.
.webp)
Popular Fish in Rend Lake
Experience the abundance of fish in Rend Lake, Illinois, while enjoying a memorable fishing adventure. Anglers at Rend Lake commonly target the popular species of largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and bluegill. The diverse fish populations and scenic surroundings make every fishing trip at Rend Lake an exciting and immersive experience. Whether you're casting for largemouth bass or reeling in a hefty channel catfish, the thrill of the catch is matched only by the natural beauty of Rend Lake. With such a variety of sought-after fish in Rend Lake, every angler is sure to find their perfect fishing experience.
Largemouth Bass
This popular sport fish has a large mouth perfect for ambushing prey. They lurk in weedy cover and strike with surprising speed. Their distinctive black horizontal stripe along the body makes them easy to identify.
Bluegill
A brightly colored sunfish, Bluegill are popular for panfishing. They have a spotted body and a distinctive dark patch on their ear flap.
Black Crappie
Sporting a speckled pattern and large dorsal fin, Black Crappie prefer vegetated lakes and ponds, renowned for their light, flaky meat.
Crappie
Crappie are thin-bodied fish with compressed sides, known for their schooling behavior and light bites, making them a fun target for anglers using finesse tactics.
Regulations
Illinois Stream Access Laws
The Courts have described the reach of the California public right of navigation as”teh right to navigate and to excersize the... See More
Illinois Freshwater Fishing Regulations
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions... See More
Illinois Fishing License Online
In California, anyone under the age of 16 or above is required to get a sport fishing license to take any fish: shell fish: repltile o... See More
Illinois Boating Regulations
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local, rules and regulation... See More
