Dunlap Lake

 Dunlap Lake is our 138-acre lake with 360 single-family homes, just east of downtown Edwardsville in Madison County, Illinois. It was created by Orie T. Dunlap in 1939. Property owners of Dunlap Lake enjoy boating, swimming, ice skating, and fishing along the lake’s 15 miles of shoreline.

Since the late 1940s Dunlap Lake has been periodically stocked with fish including Channel Catfish, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, and Muskellunge. Fishing is for residents and guests who go out with them. Please catch and release largemouth bass, 

A 2024 study on the fishery showed the lake is overstocked with several types of fish. Currently residents are encouraged to catch and keep as many small and midsized Crappie and Stripers they will eat. ALL Shad and Carp caught need to be removed. Never throw left over bait fish or any kind of pond fish into the lake.

The lake is managed by the Dunlap Lake Property Owners Association which was founded in 1950 and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1952 to maintain and protect the lake and subdivision. The neighborhood was annexed into Edwardsville in 1977 so now the City maintains roads and provides a reliable sewer system. A 20-year master plan completed in 2020 guides current maintenance and improvements around the lake. 

Dunlap Lake Paddlers Club – May 1st

Join the Dunlap Lake Paddlers! Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are all welcome as we paddle the lake every Saturday at 8 AM through Labor Day weekend. The first outing is coming soon, Saturday, May 1st! Meet at the dam for a fun morning on the lake! Contact Rick or...

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With Storm Events and…

Erratic weather increasing the spillway has to be a priority. Engineers at Hurst-Rosche are to design a structure that can achieve the requirements of the IDNR at the northeast corner of the dam. It also allows us to incorporate another gate into the structure that...

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What Happens If We Do NOTHING?

Dam failure is a real possibility if the spillway won't pressure off the dam fast enough. Click on the link below. The link will take you to the website of Dam Failures. There is a plethora of information regarding dam failures (videos, case studies, lessons learned,...

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DLPOA is asking residents –

to raise fees $15 per month to fund maintenance for the 80-year-old dam and keep silt and pollution out of the lake. Increasing water flows are hitting WWII-era infrastructure and everyone who owns property in the association shares this liability. Mike Watts, DLPOA...

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