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. 

Muskrat Season Ends January 25

Winter trapping has been effective for some residents. While muskrats are not very active in the winter, don't assume they are gone. Homeowners who saw muskrats this summer are encouraged to act before trapping season ends in January. Colleagues from the Watershed...

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2016 Fish Stocking Report

On November 21, 2016 Logan Hollow Fish Farm from Murphysboro, Illinois added 450 Hybrid Striped Bass and 700 Walleye to the lake. Walt Heck is Fish & Wildlife committee chair if you have input on the fishing conditions contact him at waltheckwalt@gmail.com.

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Dock Requests for 2017

If you live off-lake and want commons space assigned to be able to build a dock during the summer of 2017 please call Carolyn Green at 791-1398 by February 28. Please contact Carolyn to get on this year's list even if you have put in a request in previous years. Any...

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Dredging Update

Following our August vote to approve the dredging plan with a cost not to exceed $4.5 million and to seek support from the city to fund it through the creation of a Special Service Area (SSA), officers of the board of directors met with city officials to report the...

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Lake Level Dropped 6′

The overflow drain on the dam is now closed. The lake will be kept at the current level until people who have submitted building permits complete their projects.

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Spillway Dissipator

While the lake is down the Association will be doing concrete work on the area at bottom of the spillway called the dissipator. This concrete wall slows down the water before it moves on.

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No Leaves in Lake

Please do not blow or rake leaves into the lake. If you don't do your lawn yourself, find out where your provider is putting your leaves. Several individuals have been blowing them into the lake. Silt is piling up fast enough without help.

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