Rend Lake- Late March

Good morning! Brand new to the site, found my way here as I'm researching a trip I'm planning to take in Late March to Rend Lake. I know it'll be a bit tougher than if I was a few weeks later, but I scheduled this trip around my kids' spring break, so I kind of had to book for that last week of March- around the 28th- April 1.

I turn 40 next week and my wife was bugging me to go plan something with friends bc she also turns 40 and is doing a little beach vacation with her friends. I told her I didn't want any of that- boat gets out of storage in March and I want to go fishing!!

So anyways, not looking for anyone's spots at Rend, but since I haven't ever fished it, just generally looking for info on what to expect in late March. I've seen a lot about the crappie being deep in the buck brush into April, but seems like late March may be a little early for that? So targeting a bit deeper water off points or drop offs may be a better bet? That sort of insight is what I'm looking for, if y'all are willing to share it. I'll have 4 or 5 days to try and figure things out and am not against getting a guide for the 1st day either to lessen the learning curve. But figured if any So ILLers had any tips for me, this would be the place to ask. Thanks in advance

Go to the corp. website. They have all the brushpiles marked with gps info.

Well hot damn, that's some great info right there, thank you Ras!

Welcome to the CDC family Tooth. I have not been to Rend since the 2000's but i will tell you that is one fantastic fishery for central Illinois. These folks here will have you on the right track in no time.

Get hold of crappie extreme guide service. They will put you on the fish. I'm saying you will be a lil early for them to be in the buckbrush.

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Publish Online

Here's the ACE map for Rend Lake.

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Originally Posted by Curlytail

Get hold of crappie extreme guide service. They will put you on the fish. I'm saying you will be a lil early for them to be in the buckbrush.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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Thanks, I was actually already looking at those guys, I'll see if they're available.

Thanks! That'll help a lot!

Get Travis if he is available. Great guy you won't be disappointed. I have been out with him several times. He has put me on fish every time out.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Late March is definitely early for buckbrush fishing. They will most likely be staging in prespawn areas like you stated brush on points leading to spawning coves is a good place to start looking. You can call/message me and I can help you more.

Tooth, If you are looking for guide, you cant go wrong with the previous poster, Mean Green 2. I have fished with Nick several times and he is outstanding. One of, if not the best!

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Originally Posted by AnyWeather

Tooth, If you are looking for guide, you cant go wrong with the previous poster, Mean Green 2. I have fished with Nick several times and he is outstanding. One of, if not the best!

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I agree


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Originally Posted by AnyWeather

Tooth, If you are looking for guide, you cant go wrong with the previous poster, Mean Green 2. I have fished with Nick several times and he is outstanding. One of, if not the best!

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Yes he is


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Thanks guys. Mean Green 2- sending you a message

My trip is coming up quick- planning to be on the water at Rend Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. May make a stop at Baldwin on Tuesday instead as I'll be coming thru that area on my way over to Rend.

Looks like some bad rain and storms today/tomorrow over there. 2 or 3 inches of rain is what I saw on the forecast. I'm sure that'll bring the lake levels up a bit and muddy up the water, but weather looks decent 2nd half of next week so hoping conditions get right for us!!

How did it go?

I go this coming week

Well, we didn't do great but it wasn't a total wash either. Caught a mess of catfish at rend on minnows fishing for crappie, but no crappie at rend on Wednesday. Then went to Lake of Egypt Thursday- I had been there twice before. Went to a hole I knew about and immediately landed 2 crappie over 12" then another about 10", and those were the only 3 crappie we caught all day. Caught a handful of bass instead. Got blown off the water Friday w the wind, we tried shore fishing at a few of the docks/launches at rend w no luck. All in all it was a lot of fun, got the boat out early, have some electrical connection issues w my old fish finder to take care of (good excuse to just replace it w something newer now). But the old boat ran great, had a ton of laughs and spent a few days w my oldest friend, which I don't get to do very often anymore.

Thanks for the report Tooth. Sounds like a good time was had despite the fish not cooperating. That happens.
What was the water temp on Rend?

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Originally Posted by AnyWeather

Thanks for the report Tooth. Sounds like a good time was had despite the fish not cooperating. That happens.
What was the water temp on Rend?

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It was 50-52 degrees