Fishing is always great on Rend Lake. 

Water level is about 408 and water temp is about 35.

Crappie :

We are in the winter pattern and the bite is still good. Several small fish are being caught, but some good ones also. I caught a 1.1 lb crappie in the gun creek neck this week off a brush pile, so some good fish are still biting. Fish are being caught in stake beds, brush piles, under the sail boat harbor 154 bridge, big muddy bridge, and the Gun creek 154 bridge.  Jigs are the way to go right now. My jig of choice on Rend Lake is a 1.5 - 2 inch red/chart jig. A good tip is to fish about 1 foot off the bottom. If you are in 10 feet of water fish 9 feet deep. If you are in 11 feet of water fish 10 feet deep.  

If fishing from the bank some fish are being caught from the sailboat harbor wall,  the docks at the sailboat harbor, and the docks at the rend lake resort. 

Catfish:

Drifting works almost year around. Rend lake is a GREAT catfish lake. I would argue the best in the state. 

Shad gut is my favorite bait, however several baits will work. Some of the most popular are night crawlers, liver, shrimp, and shad gut.

Bass :  

It is cold and the bass fishing has come to a grinding halt. However those who are willing to brave the elements can find a few fish around the bridges in 12 to 14 feet of water. Fishing painfully slow is the only way to get a few bites. Jigs and small worms seem to be the ticket.

Bluegill: 

No report at this time.

Rend is a naturally muddy lake. If you can only see your bait a few inches under water that is normal. If you cannot see it an inch under water, move south. The northern parts of the lake muddy the most due to creeks and field run off.

Watch out for the wind. It can make the main lake very dangerous

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Here is a picture of Clint's son Tucker with some Rend Lake crappie

Come to Rend Lake if you want to catch crappie

Rend Lake is the crappie lake

If you are coming to Rend Lake soon and need some info on another species or a place to stay e-mail me and I will find something out for you

Rend Lake IL crappie guides

Clinton Taylor    cmtaylor199@yahoo.com