See our hunting map here! 

See statewide hunting regulations here! 

General Information: 

Hunting is permitted on the public lands surrounding Rend Lake. Site specific regulations vary on the federal (USACE managed) land and state (Illinois Department of Natural Resources) land which includes both Wayne Fitzgerrell Recreation Area and the Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (also known as the Rend Lake Refuge). No hunting is permitted in designated recreation areas. All statewide hunting regulations apply at all sites at Rend Lake.

Rend Lake includes various habitat classifications supporting a diversity of wildlife. Rend Lake has bottomland hardwood forests, upland hardwood forests, old field (open lands), grasslands, croplands, and wetlands. There are ~13,819 acres of land that provide opportunities for hunting. Public lands can be accessed by one of the 26 boat ramps or 32 Hunter/Fisherman access areas.

Wildlife Resources: 

There are numerous species of wildlife located on the Rend Lake Project that are native to Southern Illinois.  They include several types of rodents, small game birds, mammals, waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, reptiles, amphibians and furbearers. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) manages the northern portion of the lake. The area is primarily managed for waterfowl and migratory bird species by planting agricultural crops, establishing moist soil plant communities during the growing season and then flooding these areas during the fall.

Site Specific Regulations on Rend Lake Federal (USACE) Lands:

• All Illinois state hunting regulations apply - consult the Illinois Digest of Hunting & Trapping Regulations  prior to hunting
• Permanent stands or blinds are NOT permitted. Hunters must remove stands daily.
• Federal law prohibits the use of motorized vehicles including ATVs and UTVs on all federally managed lands - No ATVs or UTVs 
• Cutting of live vegetation is NOT permitted
• Use of trail cameras are NOT permitted

For species specific regulations at Rend Lake please visit: huntillinois.org

Site Contact Information: 618-724-2493

Site Specific Regulations - Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area

• All Illinois state hunting regulations apply - consult the Illinois Digest of Hunting & Trapping Regulations  prior to hunting
• Permanent stands or blinds are NOT permitted. Hunters must remove stands daily.
• No ATVs or UTVs
• Parking is only permitted in designated areas
• Regular firearm deer hunting is NOT permitted at this site
• All hunters must check-in and check-out daily

For species specific regulations at Wayne Fitzgerrell please visit: huntillinois.org

Site Contact Information: 618-629-2320

Site Specific Regulations - Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

• All Illinois state hunting regulations apply - consult the Illinois Digest of Hunting & Trapping Regulations prior to hunting
• Permanent stands or blinds are NOT permitted. Hunters must remove stands and ground blinds daily.
• Bow hunting during the month of October is the only hunting access allowed. Trapping is not permitted. 
• Parking is only permitted in designated areas
• No ATVs or UTVs
• Deer hunters DO NOT have to sign in
• No firearm deer hunting

For species specific regulations at the Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area please visit: huntillinois.org

Site Contact Information: 618-279-3110