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. 

Other News Around the Lake

WATER TESTING - Recent water testing showed no elevated levels of heavy metals like lead or mercury. Fecal coliform was elevated in 2 of the 3 samples and those areas will be retested. Phosphate levels were high which is part of the excessive algae growth. Lawn...

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Measuring Silt

Did you notice someone out in the rain with a remote controlled boat on Wednesday, July 8? Engineers were testing for the depth of silt in some of the areas checked in 2005. Finding how much silt needs to be removed from the lake is the next step in developing a silt...

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Shoreline Improvements Visible

During June shoreline improvements were made along the boat ramp. Greenside Lawn and Landscape brought in an excavator and tore out the old railroad tie wall, filled in a major sink hole, smoothed up the shore and covered it with shoreline grade fabric and...

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Safety Committee Conducts Fish Testing

In a recent test of three large-mouth bass from Dunlap Lake, elevated levels of mercury were found in the two largest fish (3 & 5 lbs). We are continuing to gather information and consulting with urban lake experts. We recommend anglers catch and release or follow...

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Catch the Fireworks!

  Fireworks Tonight   9:20 pm Friday, July 3, 2015 at the dam Make safety a priority. DO NOT go out on a boat, especially a kayaks and small watercraft, WITHOUT APPROVED LIGHTS. Even with lights, canoers and kayakers should wear reflective gear and glow necklaces or...

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Upcoming Events

July 8 - 3 pm Clean up day at Commons B1 by the boat ramp Oct. 3 - Kids Fishing Derby Oct. 17- Fall Bonfire Dec. 5 - Holiday Social

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Thanks to Everyone for Their Help in Cleaning Up

Thanks to everyone who came out for the pre-fireworks dam clean up!! With close to 20 people working we got it done in less than 2 hours! If you would like to be part of clean up on a specific commons area or know a college student who would be interested in an...

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