East Of The Mississippi River Is Illinois' Lesser-Known Artificial Lake With Fishing, Camping, And Beach Fun

Drive about two hours east of the Mississippi River, and you'll come across one of the most special lakes in south-central Illinois. Originally constructed in 1965, Vandalia Lake extends westward from Vandalia Reservoir Dam and forms a distinctive shape resembling a series of long fingers. Although Vandalia Lake is relatively small, with only about 12 miles of shoreline, the modest-sized reservoir offers a surprisingly complete list of things to do. For starters, the lake is equipped with a marina, campground, and covered picnic areas.

Anglers can launch their boats from the marina and bait their hooks for largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. Swimmers can take a dip at a golden-sand beach, and camping is available at very reasonable prices. You won't have to travel far if you're driving to the lake from the town of Vandalia, as it is about a 10-minute drive north of the city center. For some context about where Vandalia is in relation to larger nearby cities, it is a little over an hour east of St. Louis, Missouri.

Visitors have described the location as a "beautiful lake to kick back and enjoy some fishing" on Google Maps. Vandalia Lake is home to yellow and black bullheads, gizzard shad, and common carp. Also, the Vandalia Sport Fishing and Conservation Club stocks the lake with largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill. Keep in mind there are daily limits, so keep your catches to six channel catfish a day, and the same goes for smallmouth and largemouth bass. Striped, white, and hybrid bass have a limit of three per day.

If you want to go boating at Vandalia Lake, you'll have to fill out a boat registration form first. The marina offers boat licenses, and from there you can head out onto the lake in non-motorized boats such as sailboats, kayaks, and canoes. For more wind in your hair, take a motorized boat, but with no more than 225 horsepower. Try not to go too fast if you're a speed demon, though. The speed limit is 45 during the day and 10 at night. As a note, you can find boat docks in the northeast section of the lake.

Camping at Vandalia Lake is available from mid-April to mid-October. The campground has electric hookups and primitive sites, along with showers, flush toilets, and a dump station. During the summer months, head to the swim beach. You'll find it in the southwestern section of the lake, flanked by a small swath of sand and fields of green grass. After wading into the sparkling water, you can relax under the shade of leafy trees along the shore. The beach is open during the summer season and is completely free. As a note, there are no lifeguards on duty.

If you prefer to stay overnight in a more urban atmosphere, then stay in Vandalia, a historic heartland city with a cute downtown. Holiday Inn Express & Suites and Quality Inn & Suites are two hotel options. Alternatively, check out Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park. It has a convenience store and gift shop on-site, along with electric and water hookups. The park is also within 10 miles of several amenities, such as a swimming pool, a tennis court, and a disc golf course.

If you want to fill up on a hearty meal before heading back to the lake, Vandalia is home to a Ponderosa Steakhouse and a Denny's. For a bit of local flavor, try Mary Ann's, a small diner that serves home-cooked meals and generous portions. One guest immensely enjoyed the breaded pork tenderloin, while another compared the biscuits and gravy to their grandmother's. Pa's Tasty Treats can satisfy your sweet tooth after getting your fill at Mary Ann's. The ice cream shop sells soft-serve ice cream in cups and cones, milkshakes, and banana splits.

If you're flying into the region, a convenient option is St. Louis International Airport, one of the five busiest airports in the Midwest. It's about a 90-minute drive from the airport to Vandalia Lake. If you want to explore a much bigger lake in Illinois, visit Kentucky Lake, the largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi River.