Experience Lake of Egypt
About Lake of Egypt
Conveniently located in the southern part of the state, Lake of Egypt is a reservoir in the Little Egypt region of the U.S. state of Illinois. It is located six miles (10 km) south of Marion, Illinois and covers 2,300 acres (9 km²) with 90 miles (140 km) of shoreline. Fishing is usually good for most species in the lake. Healthy populations of bass, bluegill and crappie reside here. Several boat launch ramps are open to pleasure and fishing boats. Spring offers the best opportunity for big stringers and an occasional lunker. Follow the schools of bait as they move up in spring and fall, then go deeper in summer and winter. All fish species here tend to stay close by their food source.
The lake has an average depth of 18 feet (5.5 m) with a maximum depth of 52 feet (16 m) . The lake is owned by the Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (SIPC), who created the impoundment in 1962, by damming the South fork of the Saline River, to supply cooling water for a coal-burning electric power plant.
As a privately owned lake, it is subject to regulation by its owners and the state. Terms of use from the SIPC are in the “Official Lake of Egypt Rules and Regulations”. Public access is allowed as are all size boat motors. Water skiing and jet skis are also permitted in most of the lake. Fishing includes Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, and Crappie. Camping at the lake is allowed at Buck Ridge Campground, part of the Shawnee National Forest. Each neighborhood on the lake has individual subdivisions (list of Lake of Egypt subdivisions) as well as the non-for-profit Lake of Egypt Association of Property Owners (LEAPO).
Private Boat Dock
Our guests have access to a private boat dock located on our property to fish off of, or to park their personal boat at. We also have 2 slips at the park a few steps up the road for boat parking. Lake of Egypt is a great place to fish and boat, but it is important to recognize their rules and restrictions regarding certain boats.
The speed limit on the water is 35mph, and skiing can only be done in the designated ski area. Jet Skis are allowed on the lake, but not after dusk. Pontoon boats are restricted to 28ft or less, and hull boats are restricted to 20ft or less. There is no engine or horsepower restriction on the lake. If you do bring your own boat, we ask that you notify us prior to your stay to and bring the proper mooring and anchoring gear for your boat.
Below are 3 public boat launches that can be used to put in and take out your boat during your stay. The boat launches do charge a fee for you to put your boat in, which is noted next to each marina.
Egyptian Hills Marina & Boat Launch – Closest Launch Via Boat to Red Roof Retreats ($10.00 Launch Fee)
75 Egyptian Pkwy
Creal Springs, IL 62922
Pyramid Acres Marina & Boat Launch – Closest Launch Via Car to Red Roof Retreats ($5.00 Launch Fee)
12057 Marina Road
Marion, Illinois 62959
Mack’s Marina & Boat Launch ($10.00 Launch Fee)
12024 Laguna Drive
Marion, IL 62959
Boat Rentals
Three locations on the lake offer Pontoon boat rentals for those that want to have a fun day on the lake and don’t have their own boat. It’s a great way to see some great lake views, float, and even have a picnic on some of the lake’s hottest spots!
Below are the marinas that currently offer rentals and their rates. If you are interested in renting a pontoon boat, we recommend calling the marina prior to your stay to ensure that there is a rental available.
During the warm months, pontoon rentals are extremely popular and sometimes hard to come by!
There may be additional restrictions for pontoon rentals for each marina, which we recommend calling them directly if you have any questions!
Weiner Rides
618-922-0649
Lakeofegyptpontoonrentals.com
10 & 12 Person Pontoons
Daily Rentals (9am-7pm): $300
$500 Security Deposit Due at Pickup
We deliver as early as you want & pick up the boat by 7pm
Egyptian Hills Marina
618-364-8088
Egyptianhillsresort.com
8 Person Pontoon
Half Day (4 Hours): $160
Full Day (8 Hours): $225
12 Person Pontoon
Half Day (4 Hours): $200
Full Day (8 Hours): $300
Macks Marina
8 Person Pontoon
Daily Rentals (9am-5pm): $300
$1,000 Security Deposit Due at Pickup
Big Worm’s Rides - Jet Ski Rentals
Jet Ski Rentals
1/2 Day Rentals (9am-1pm or 2-6pm): $225
Full Day Rental (9am-6pm): $375
$500 Security Deposit
Fishing
Lake of Egypt offers some of the best fishing around and people from all over the country flock to the lake just to fish. The water in your backyard is filled with Crappie, Large and Small Mouth Bass, and every fish in between.
Fishing License Requirements:
Illinois residents and non-residents ages 16 & up are required to purchase an Illinois Fishing License. The Walmart in town in Marion, IL can register you and provide you with your paper copy of your license if you do not have it already. Locally, Just Add Water can provide you with all of your fishing needs, bait tackle and more and your fishing license! 618-964-1944
Live Music & Events at the Lake
The marinas across the lake offer fun nights out during the summer with live music, cover bands, karaoke and movies! Just Add Water also has some amazing music right off of the lake. Some nights, the marinas offer live music with cover bands that you can drive your boat up and listen from the comfort of your own vessel. Bands in the past have covered Led Zeplin, Journey and many more! Other nights, the bars at the marina have karaoke and open mic nights to really have fun at! Stay for one song, sing to another, or just sit back and watch the local residents show off their singing skills.
Movie nights are fun for the whole family with a different selection each year! Drive the boat up close to watch the feature film for that evening, most recently is was JAWS.
Movie night happens only occasionally, so make sure to call prior to your stay to see if this adventure is available and to find out what movie is showing!
General Note:
The bars and venues that host the live music and karaoke nights do not allow underage guests into the bar. If you are interested in the live music, everyone attending must be at least 21 years of age with valid ID.
Star Gazing
Lake of Egypt was the best spot to view the Solar Eclipse in 2016, and will be again in 2024. The stars practically sit right above the lake on a clear summer’s night. Look closely and you can see some neighboring planets, and on a supper clear night you an even make out the Milky Way!
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for a shooting star or two, so watch for them! Download SkyView on your phone can make out all of the constellations!
Southern Illinois Meteor Showers
A meteor shower is a celestial event in which a number of meteors are observed to radiate, or originate, from one point in the night sky called Radiant. These meteors are caused by streams of cosmic debris called meteoroids entering Earth’s atmosphere at extremely high speeds on parallel trajectories. The Meteor Data Center of the IAU lists over 900 suspected meteor showers of which about 100 are well established.
The meteor showers listed at the link below are the easiest to observe and provide the most activity. Particular attention should be noted to the time and moonlight conditions. All these showers are best seen after midnight. Some are not even visible until after midnight. Showers that peak with the moon’s phase greater than one half illuminated (first quarter to last quarter) will be affected by moonlight and difficult to observe.
While the time each shower is best seen remains much the same year after year, the moonlight conditions change considerably from one year to the next. As we approach the date of each shower’s maximum, be sure to consult the latest AMS article about Meteor Showers, which will provide in depth information on each shower and how to best view it.
