BENTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake reminds visitors that many locations on Rend Lake will be closed during the state firearm deer hunting seasons.
The following recreation areas will be temporarily closed to all vehicle and foot traffic during the first firearm deer season, November 17-19, 2023.
Areas affected by the closure include: North Sandusky day use area, boat ramp, and campground; South Sandusky day use area, campground, beach and boat ramp; South Marcum day use area and campground; Blackberry Nature Trail; and North Marcum Archery Complex, Mountain Bike Trails, and North Marcum Bike Trails. These areas will be utilized by persons involved in the annual Rend Lake Deer Hunt for Persons with Disabilities and will remain closed as a safety precaution.
In addition, all sections of the Rend Lake Bike Trail managed by the Corps of Engineers will be temporarily closed during all firearm deer hunting seasons to persons not actively involved in the sport of deer hunting.
Bike Trail areas affected by the closures include: the section beginning west of the Franklin Cemetery and continuing to the North Marcum day use area, and trail sections beginning in the North Sandusky day use area and continuing to the South Marcum campground. Additionally, Catfish Cove Pond and Trail adjacent to the Rend Lake Visitor Center will be closed.
All persons not involved in the sport of deer hunting are prohibited from utilizing these trails during the periods of November 17-19, November 30, December 1-3, and December 8-10, 2023. Persons wishing to access hunting spots should remember that Federal law prohibits the use of motorized vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), on all government managed properties.
For further information, contact the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center at 618-724-2493 or email at RendInfo-MVS@usace.army.mil. Updates and changes can be found on the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center Facebook page.
