Been down to Rend Lake twice this year and we used Andy's Crappie Company. Andy does a great job and he will defiantly put you on some fish. As far as a place to stay you have to stay at Lake Cove Resort in Whittington, IL. It is 5 minutes from the lake, there is a bait shop with cleaning station and gas station in the same parking lot and they have a fenced in area with electricity if you are taking a boat. Rooms at the resort are top notch and very reasonable. Good luck