The Kaskaskia River was dammed to create Lake Shelbyville, which draws roughly 4 million visitors a year. Since Lake Shelbyville is bordered by the Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area, it is controlled by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Eagle Creek State Park and Wolf Creek State Park surround its woodland shores. In the beach area close to the dam, you can enjoy getting wet or unwinding in the shade. Even when the water levels are high, boaters enjoy having access to the large body of water all year long. You can head to the nearby trails if you want to continue your exploration.

Around the lake area, there are marinas, golf courses, multipurpose trails, and equestrian trails. You won't have to worry about lodging because the area's coasts are home to five federal and two state campgrounds. In addition to this, you may spend the night at Eagle Creek Resort and play golf on its 18-hole course. Additionally, Lake Shelbyville is well-known for its fishing, hosting multiple competitions every year.

Location: Shelby / Moultrie counties, Illinois, United States

Rend Lake, one of the biggest reservoirs in the state and also one of the best lakes to visit in Illinois, has a lot to offer. Many sandy beaches tempt tourists to cool down in the water on a hot summer afternoon. Boaters have plenty of opportunities to enter the crystal-clear waters thanks to the many boat ramps and a marina. After enjoying yourself at the lake, you can stay at the visitor's center, play a round of golf at the close-by Rend Lake Golf Course, or go shopping at the artisan and antique stores.

Campers can enjoy setting up their tent in any location of their choice at one of the five public campgrounds on the shoreline, which have a total of about 800 campsites.

Location: Franklin / Jefferson counties, Illinois, U.S.

The picturesque Lake of Egypt, which is bordered by trees and vacation cottages, is situated in the Little Egypt area of. It was built in 1962 by damming the Saline River, and the Southern Illinois Power Cooperative is the owner (SIPC).

Despite being a private lake, Lake of Egypt is open to the public, allowing people to swim, water ski, and engage in other water sports. Because there are numerous largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and crappie living in the lake, fishing is also very popular here.

On one side of the lake, the Shawnee National Forest offers camping options for people who want to enjoy the lake overnight. You can camp here any time of the year for no charge.

Location: Williamson and Johnson Counties, Little Egypt region, Illinois

A 3.3 square kilometer reservoir known as Devil's Kitchen Lake was built in southern Illinois by damming Grassy Creek. The lake's location on a flat area surrounded by steep slopes and deep sandstone canyons makes it particularly unusual. Viewing the surrounding lush vegetation, sandstone valleys, and rocky slopes is wonderful for nature enthusiasts.

Swimming is not permitted despite the waters' clarity because of the submerged stumps. A popular pastime to enjoy the tranquil lake is boating. Despite the fact that motorboats can only go up to 10 HP, there are three boat ramps available for your convenience. Additionally, you can trek the beautiful local trails and discover the many rock formations.

One of the deepest lakes in the state is Devil's Kitchen Lake, which is 27 meters deep. Although there are a lot of largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill in the lake, it is famous for its rainbow trout fishing. If you still have time, you might also check out nearby sights like Panther Den Wilderness and Castle Park. The greatest way to end the night would be to observe the stars in the campground near the lake.

Location: Williamson County, Illinois, U.S

The city of Springfield has the reservoir known as Lake Springfield. This is one of the best lakes to visit in Illinois. With 92 kilometers of shoreline, Lake Springfield provides plenty of recreational opportunities in addition to providing Springfield's residents with a domestic water supply. It is the largest municipality in the state and was created when Spaulding Dam was constructed across Sugar Creek. There are numerous boat docks, launches, and a marina where you can engage in a variety of boat activities. Boating is not permitted near the Spaulding Dam, though.

Due to the rich vegetation and fauna at its western end, Lick Creek Wildlife Preserve provides a visual delight. Additionally, the Henson Robinson Zoo, which is situated on the lake's eastern bank, offers views of more than 90 different wildlife species. Abraham Lincoln-related historical places are also accessible in Springfield. The city is also the location of his sole dwelling, which is now a national park.

Location: Springfield, Illinois, U.S

Little Grassy Lake is situated in the southern region of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge and is surrounded by a lot of woodland. Visitors are drawn to dive into its waters because of how clear they are. It is a tranquil location to unwind in nature because motorboats are only allowed to travel at a maximum speed of 10 horsepower. Additionally, this lake welcomes pets, so you are welcome to bring your dog. There are wonderful camping areas where you can enjoy a long stay while listening to the calming sounds of the waves lapping the shore and gazing up at the twinkling stars.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the lake because it offers excellent fishing opportunities. The marina and campground are open during the fishing season, making it a great place to camp as well.

A minimum purchase requirement must be met in order to obtain a vehicle and boat permit from the visitor's center. Take your kids to the nearby Jeremy "Boo" Rochman Memorial Park as well for some enjoyment and fun.

Location: Jackson County, Illinois and Williamson County, Illinois, U.S

The largest man-made lake in the state, Carlyle Lake, is located in the south-central region, about an hour's drive from St. Louis. Carlyle Lake was created as a multi-use body of water primarily for the reduction of flood danger. The lake also provides recreational swimming, fish and wildlife conservation, water supply, and commercial shipping. Bring your kids here to the sandy beach where they can enjoy playing in the sand or getting soaked by the water. This lake is perfect for you if sailing is your interest. The Carlyle Sailing Association offers a variety of sailboat models for rent and advises which one is ideal for you. Additionally, there are numerous sailing regattas held here each year.

In addition, the lake offers exceptional seasonal opportunities for hunting a number of Department of Natural Resources species, including quails, turkeys, doves, squirrels, and white-tailed deer. More than 300 campsites are available in five constructed campgrounds near Carlyle Lake. Five beaches, many boat ramps, and access points are also available at the lake for the enjoyment of outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Many people utilize this lake for recreation, especially sailing. Many people fish in the lake for bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, white bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and flatheads.

Location: Clinton / Fayette / Bond counties, Illinois, U.S.

When it was built in 1922, Lake Decatur was the biggest man-made lake in Illinois and a popular destination for recreation. The 11-square-kilometer lake is now one of the best lakes to visit in Illinois, a well-liked fishing location, where walleye, crappie, and bass are frequently captured. Public boat launches are available, and certain shorelines are accessible for bank fishing. You can reach fishing locations using canoes, kayaks, bass boats, pontoon boats, pleasure boats, and other forms of fishing boats. Decatur Lake's ice fishing in the winter can frequently result in good catches.

Two of Decatur's main parks, Nelson Park and Faries Park, surround Lake Decatur. Along its 48-kilometer shoreline, the Scovill Zoo and five public boat ramps are also located. There are about 500 animals living here.

The route leading over Lake Decatur had five bridges, and it was easily accessible. Both the views of the lake while flying over them and those while traveling down U.S. Highway 36 are pretty beautiful.

Location: Decatur, Illinois, U.S

A reservoir called Evergreen Lake can be found in central Illinois's McLean County. The lake has a 6.5 km length and a 0.6 km width. Six Mile Creek was dammed to form Evergreen Lake, which has since grown to be a well-liked destination for recreation. It is the location of the Evergreen Lake House, a popular wedding site with hiking trails, boat docks, and ramps. Sailing, paddleboarding, fishing, and canoeing are some of the activities available at Evergreen Lake. The lake is also used to supply nearby towns with water.

Several conservation areas, including Deer Island Area, Mallards Bay Conservation Area, Lake View Area, and White Oak Area, can be found all around Compare County Park. You can easily join the water to engage in water sports thanks to the two boat launches and one canoe launch. Small motorboats with little horsepower are also acceptable. Bring your cameras so you can record the local wildlife. You can also go hiking on one of the many nearby trails.

Location: McLean County, Illinois and Woodford County, Illinois, U.S

Located in Illinois' Jo Daviess County, Lake Galena is a picturesque lake that was created in 1974 as a result of the damming of Smallpox Creek. It is a reservoir located in Galena Territory that draws water from a close-by watershed. The lake is privately run, despite being a well-liked location for boating and fishing. Along the 11 kilometers of shoreline, a marina offers visitors boat rentals and boat launching.

Visitors can reach the lake from the marina situated at its eastern end and take a boat ride to enjoy the scenic surroundings. However, swimming is not permitted here. In addition to participating in water sports, you can also opt to relax while taking in the numerous bird species, such as eagles, owls, wild turkeys, ospreys, blue herons, and ducks. Here, it's also common to see animals including white-tailed deer, red fox, turtles, beavers, and muskrats.

You'll also find Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa along its 7 miles of shoreline, where you can spend some time playing golf on their course. You can also go to the nearby Thunder Bay Falls, which is a magnificent 40-foot waterfall made possible by the lake's spillway.

Location: Clinton / Fayette / Bond counties, Illinois, U.S.