What special fishing regulations apply at Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties)?

Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties) carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Illinois' statewide 2026 rules, covering Crappie (white + black). One of them reads: "18,900-acre Big Muddy River impoundment, southern IL; 14 in min largemouth, 6 / day combined; crappie 25 / day, no more than 10 of 10 in or longer; striped + hybrid striped trophy; channel + flathead catfish; walleye 14 in min, 6 / day combined." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties)?

Yes. Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties) is in Illinois, so a valid Illinois fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Rend Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Illinois rules.

Do Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties)'s special rules replace Illinois' statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Illinois' statewide 2026 regulations apply on Rend Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Rend Lake?

Crappie (white + black) has a water-body-specific rule on Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties), each linking to its full Illinois regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Illinois limits.

2026 regulation year

Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties) 2026 — Illinois Fishing Regulations

Illinois statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties) carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Illinois's 2026 fishing rules — covering Crappie (white + black). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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Watch Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties) (IL) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

18,900-acre Big Muddy River impoundment, southern IL; 14 in min largemouth, 6 / day combined; crappie 25 / day, no more than 10 of 10 in or longer; striped + hybrid striped trophy; channel + flathead catfish; walleye 14 in min, 6 / day combined
Source: Illinois special-water list

Per-species rules on Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties)

Crappie (white + black) regulations →
25 / day, no more than 10 of 10 in or longer; one of the country's premier white-crappie reservoirs

Official source

Illinois Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 Illinois fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Illinois fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Illinois Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Illinois trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Illinois

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties)?: Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties) carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Illinois' statewide 2026 rules, covering Crappie (white + black). One of them reads: "18,900-acre Big Muddy River impoundment, southern IL; 14 in min largemouth, 6 / day combined; crappie 25 / day, no more than 10 of 10 in or longer; striped + hybrid striped trophy; channel + flathead catfish; walleye 14 in min, 6 / day combined." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties)?: Yes. Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties) is in Illinois, so a valid Illinois fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Rend Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Illinois rules.
Do Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties)'s special rules replace Illinois' statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Illinois' statewide 2026 regulations apply on Rend Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Rend Lake?: Crappie (white + black) has a water-body-specific rule on Rend Lake (Franklin / Jefferson Counties), each linking to its full Illinois regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Illinois limits.

← Back to Illinois regulations overview