East Fork Lake

About East Fork Lake

In the early 19th century, the southern third of Illinois was known as "Little Egypt," and many of the region's earliest cities were born in East Fork Lake, Illinois, a small town in southern Illinois. The real reason for this development has been withdrawn from history, but historians suspect that it had to do with the nearby Mississippi and its proximity to the Mississippi. The location of East Lake, and in particular the location of its original settlement, is a well-kept secret and a land secret.

Others claim that settlers from northern Illinois traveled here to buy grain to replace their crop failures with grain, because the area was spared the harsh winter weather of the 1830s. The similarity with the story in the biblical book of Genesis led some people to call this area Egypt.

To maintain a constant water supply, most cities have built reservoirs to meet residents "water needs, but there are few lakes because of a lack of wells - supplied rivers and lakes.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Lake Vernor (45 hectares) was built and replaced by Lake Borah, which covers 136 hectares. In the 1970s, the main water source for the town of Olney was taken over by a new reservoir, East Fork Lake (1.5 hectares). Three of them were built by the city of Olney, although East Fork Lake is younger and much larger.

All three lakes are owned by the city and have parks and pubs that provide the pleasure of residents and visitors. East Fork Lake is home to most water sports, but two of the smaller lakes have limitations in terms of size and speed of the boats. The lake is only accessible to ships if the city has granted permission and information is available on its website and in the local newspaper.

Public moorings are available on the north shore of the lake and on some campsites, and public mooing is available on the south shore and at some other locations.

The town of Olney has a new swimming pool with water slides and parasols, and there is a swimming area on East Fork Lake.
Nearby Borah Lake has no bathing areas, but swimming is only allowed in areas on the south shore and on boats. We also enjoy the scenic views of the Illinois River and Lake Michigan when canoeing or kayaking.

During the warmer months, bass competitions are held regularly here, and local anglers know that Vernor and Borah are home to many whoppers. East Fork Lake is the place where it really shines, and many anglers claim it has some of the best perch fishing in the state of Illinois and the nation. So it is surprisingly easy to reach the limits of all three lakes, but local fishermen like the idea of fishing for the Great Perch.

The other fish in the reservoir are the long-toothed sunfish, the blue fish and the brown trout. An excellent stocking programme ensures that the optimal number of fish and a variety of other species remain available.

Much of the coast is undeveloped, making the lake a great place to lounge on the shore and enjoy birds and wildlife. During the day, guests can enjoy fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, camping and fishing in the groves. The many tree-lined bays in and around the bay itself provide excellent habitat for fish and are a little pleasure for boaters and paddlers. Non-sailors will find the water a good place to swim, paddle and kayak, as well as paddle and canoe rides.

Playground equipment and a ball court provide a great playground for children, as well as a variety of activities for adults, such as swimming, boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing.

Bird Haven was developed by Robert Ridgeway, a scientist, artist, and author who has served at the Smithsonian as a member of the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. He and his wife live on the property and promote the conservation of birds and specialised plants as part of their conservation efforts.

When East Fork Lake was built, much of the original property was destroyed, but the rest was preserved for nature lovers to observe the native flora and fauna.

The East Fork Lake area offers a variety of accommodations, and a private RV park is located on the north shore. In the immediate vicinity there are a number of hotels, motels, campsites and caravan parks as well as some restaurants and bars.

Olney is well connected to a variety of shopping and services, including a cinema and community college. Non-fishermen will also find a number of restaurants, bars, hotels, motels, campsites and caravan parks in the area. Olney as a city offers a wide range of activities, from fishing to hiking, camping, hiking and fishing.

Two outstanding golf courses are located just off East Fork Lake, one in Olney and the other in Elgin, Illinois.

One of the better known attractions in the region is the breeding population of white squirrels that nest in city parks and old residential areas. Red Hills State Park is located 12 miles east of Olney and is home to a number of wildlife attractions, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is a large lake, a great golf course and during the season many opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking and hunting.

The so-called "Wabash Border Marsh Ecosystem" in East Fork Lake is home to many bird species, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, as well as birds of prey such as squirrels, birds and bats.

In East Fork Lake, although mainly located in an agricultural area, people are friendly and it is a popular destination for fishing, boating and other outdoor activities as well as recreation.

There is a strong sense of community and, often accompanied by festivals of all kinds, competition for the best chowder is fierce. Similar to the New England Chowder Dinner, this is more of a community event that includes a meal. The chops are usually prepared and cooked in a huge pot for a communal meal, usually with a variety of ingredients such as potatoes, onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes and other vegetables.

No late summer visitor should miss the chance to try the local Chowder, especially not in the summer months of July, August and September.

There are real estate available in the East Fork Lake area, and there is something for almost every buyer, from residential lots to large agricultural land.

So plan your East Fork Lake vacation to get to know the area, and you may come back every year for the local chowder and bass.