Lake of Egypt, located six miles (10 km) south of Marion, Illinois, is a stunning destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Covering 2,300 acres (9 km²) with 90 miles (140 km) of shoreline, this lake offers a wide array of activities for hikers, bikers, boaters, anglers, and nature lovers alike.
Lake of Egypt
A Paradise for Water Activities
Created in 1962 by the Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (SIPC) by damming the South fork of the Saline River, Lake of Egypt serves as a cooling water source for a coal-burning electric power plant. As a privately owned lake, it is subject to regulation by its owners and the state, with terms of use outlined in the “Official Lake of Egypt Rules and Regulations.”
Public access is allowed, and all size boat motors are permitted. Water skiing and jet skis are also allowed in most of the lake. However, it’s important to recognize their rules and restrictions regarding certain boats.
- The speed limit on the water is 35mph.
- 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.
- 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, notify the park prior to your stay and bring the proper mooring and anchoring gear for your boat.
Read also: Explore Lake Mutanda
Boat Launch Ramps
Several boat launch ramps are open to pleasure and fishing boats. Below are 3 public boat launches that can be used to put in and take out your boat during your stay.
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.
Boat Launch
Fishing Opportunities
Lake of Egypt offers some of the best fishing around. The water is filled with Crappie, Large and Small Mouth Bass, and every fish in between. Fishing is usually good for most species in the lake. Healthy populations of bass, bluegill and crappie reside here. 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).
Read also: Outdoor Adventures Await
Fishing License Requirements: Illinois residents and non-residents ages 16 & up are required to purchase an Illinois Fishing License. Locally, Just Add Water can provide you with all of your fishing needs, bait tackle and more and your 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.
Pontoon 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.
Fishing Lake of Egypt with SnS Guide Service
Camping
Camping at the lake is allowed at Buck Ridge Campground, part of the Shawnee National Forest. Discover the Marion/Shawnee National Forest KOA Holiday, the premier destination for campers seeking fun, adventure, and natural beauty. Located in Southern Illinois, our campground is nestled within the renowned Shawnee National Forest alongside the stunning Lake of Egypt. A true paradise for hikers, bikers, boaters, anglers, and nature lovers. Our campground is the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation.
Read also: The Story of Hamilton Point and Egypt Lake
Our lodging accommodations feature all the comforts of home including a fully-equipped kitchen, living room with sectional, and large spacious deck with charcoal grill. All of our RV sites include 50/30 amp electric, water, sewer, dump station, and cozy fire ring. During your stay, you’ll have convenient access to on-site amenities like our water park, general store, playground, jump pad, fire pit, fuel dock, boat launch, pontoon and jet ski rentals, golf cart rentals, dining, dog park, laundry facilities, restrooms/showers, and much more.
Camping at Lake of Egypt
Entertainment and Nightlife
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.
General Note: The bars and venues that host the live music and karaoke nights do not allow underage guests into the bar.
Stargazing
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! 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.
Popular articles:
tags: #Egypt
