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. 

Lowering the Lake This Winter

Freezing the shallows seems to have really helped keep the plant life under control. The lake will be lowered the first week of December (weather permitting) to freeze out the plant life in the shallow areas of the lake and allow for shoreline and dock construction....

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Support Dunlap Lake’s Watershed

Stop by Heartland’s open house on the stormwater plan if at all possible Tuesday, Oct 9 any time between 6 and 8 p.m. They have a draft of a watershed plan and want to share it with the public before finalizing the document. Having a watershed plan is the first step...

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Stormwater Plan efforts need your help

On Tuesday October 9 from 6-8 p.m. there will be an open house at Madison County Farm Bureau in Edwardsville to present a watershed plan. The plan is a precursor to applying for grants and participation may help show funders the community is concerned about storm...

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Upcoming Events

Bonfire setup and Fogel House Clean Up: Come help clean up house, grounds, and prepare the bonfire site at 6:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 13 just before the bonfire.

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E.N.E.R.G.I. GRANT

The City of Edwardsville has awarded Dunlap Lake $2,500 to trim out dead trees, clean up brush, build kayak stands and add picnic tables to commons areas in both Ward 5 and 6. The Edwardsville Neighborhood Enhancement, Recognition and Grant Initiative or “ENERGI...

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Historical photos and stories needed

The social committee is putting together a slide show and displays of historical photos as well as collecting personal stories for the 80th Anniversary event on January 12, 2019. Photos and stories can be submitted on the link above or you can call Peg Flach at...

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Share Your Summer Photos

There have been so many fun times on the lake this summer. Residents can share their memories and photos on the Dunlap Lake Association Facebook page or upload them to our website's new historical archive at  https://dunlaplake.org/wordpress/upload-pics/

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