Rend Lake was built as a joint project by the Illinois Department of Conservation, the Rend Lake Conservancy District, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This 18,000 acre reservoir was built to provide a dependable domestic water supply to a two-county area beginning in 1965. Construction of the $60 million project took 5 years to complete with the final filling of the lake in the early 1970's. Since that time, many improvements have been made resulting in the current quality facilities that are currently available. Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area was developed to provide public hunting, and other recreational opportunities.

With marinas, boating, water skiing, camp sites, nature trails, golf, picnicking, swimming, fishing, and hunting, Rend Lake is one of the premier vacation spots in Southern Illinois.

Rend Lake is a relatively shallow reservoir, productive for sport and commercial fisherman alike. All species of fish that are common in southern Illinois can be found at Rend Lake. With an abundance of large crappie and channel catfish, the odds are in your favor. So come visit the Rend Lake area.

Rend Lake is proud to have the reputation of being one of the better waterfowl hunting areas in the state. With both ducks and geese making Rend Lake their home during their migration, you can be assured of a productive hunting season. Not only will you see many types of ducks & geese, but the cranes, herons and even a eagle once in a while. Black pelicans make a stop here during their migrations. Deer are seen everywhere as well as racoons, fox and opposums. Bring the camera to get pictures of turkey and pheasants and all the family will enjoy your trips around the lake. Stop by the Corp office and ask them for access to some of the remote areas. Winter is not a time to stop coming - so many things to do - to see in and around Rend Lake. Come year round and visit us.

Located just outside of Benton, Illinois, you are approx. 5 minutes from most all the local conveniences, such as restaurants, hotels/motels. movie theater, wineries, opera house, horseback riding, roller skating, bowling, and golf courses.