Good Lakes in Southern Illinois?

(kstateskier) · (kstateskier) **Join Date: May 2002** 02-08-2007, 11:33 AM

I'm planning on buying a boat sometime this summer and wanted to know where everyone goes in Southern Illinois to ride? I'm in Shiloh about 20 minutes from downtown STL. I'm not really interested in riding the Mississippi or the Kaskakia. Don't really like river riding and I don't have any experience with the rivers around here, which scares me with a new boat. Anyone go out on Rend? I've heard Carlyle gets blown out. Any other options within 1-2 hours of STL?

(lftaylor) · (lftaylor) **Join Date: Mar 2006** 02-08-2007, 12:29 PM

Nick- I have a place on Centralia Lake aprox 55min from shiloh. We ride daily. If you want to ride you are more than welcome just PM me and I will give you my numbers. Also they got the INT going in the IL area again so there will be aprox 4 comps within an hour and a half of you

(lftaylor) · (lftaylor) **Join Date: Mar 2006** 02-08-2007, 12:33 PM

Also we rode Carlyle for a while last year and you definately have to know where to go due to stumps but it gets VERY VERY blown out however there is a few protected areas that are very short. I think Rend is the same. Be careful though Centralia has a 22 ft limit. Meaning your boat title cannot say 22 anything. 21ft 11in is ok

(kstateskier) · (kstateskier) **Join Date: May 2002** 02-08-2007, 12:38 PM

Taylor, thanks for the info. I'd definately like to do some riding when it gets warmer. Mainly I'd just like to meet some people in the area. I'm in trouble at Centralia, I'm looking at 22 footers!

I saw the INT was getting started again. They are going to Isaiah's Run, I ski there all the time as I am good friends with the owners.

I'll shoot you my number.

(siuski) · (siuski) **Join Date: Feb 2003** 02-08-2007, 1:31 PM

Nick-

Come down to Kinkaid which is located down route 3 in Murphysboro, IL. We're there at least once a weekend, and once during the week. It's a nice lake if you can get out and beat the wally's. Then there are a couple of party coves. Big, long, narrow, and deep, which is wierd in IL.

Centralia's nice also during the week, but small and crowded during the weekend. Don't know Taylor, but I grew up on that lake, and still have some friends that board there.

I also hesitated to go to the Kaskakia, however It's my favorite place to ride now. You can board forever without fear of bad water during the weekend. And there is a bar in Evansville for when you're done riding, or need a fill up. I haven't seen anything in the river such as log etc. The channel is clearly marked and runs 15-20 ft.

Caryle and Rend suck.

BTW what boat are you looking at? New or Used? I assume you're going to the show this weekend. We'll be at the show on Sat.

(Message edited by siuski on February 08, 2007)

(andrew_moreton)

Second Kinkaid. One of the prettiest lakes I have been on and there is always great water during the week. 100ft. cliffs and trees, long narrow channels, and deep water make for a perfect wakeboarding lake.

(turnquist) · (turnquist) **Join Date: Feb 2007** 02-08-2007, 3:01 PM

I would stay away from Rend. Last year I was out there wake skating and our boat hit bottom and I ended up standing out in the middle of the lake. Its way to shallow and I just dislike it.

(kstateskier) · (kstateskier) **Join Date: May 2002** 02-08-2007, 3:21 PM

Good to know about Rend, I will stay away. Might have to check out the Kaskakia.

Pat - right now I'm leaning toward the 22SSV, the Nautique 210, and the VLX. I actually sent you an e-mail to the account in your profile this morning about your boat.

I actually hit the show yesterday, worked out best with my schedule. Lots of good stuff over there.

(mjmurphy53711) · (mjmurphy53711) **Join Date: Mar 2004** 02-09-2007, 6:42 PM

Hey guys, sorry to bust in on your post.....but Illinois now is its own dedicated forum on www.midwestwakeboarder.com

Stop on by and make it your own.