Lake Sara Homes for Sale Real Estate Lakefront Property IL Waterfront Properties

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If you’re looking for lake homes for sale in Illinois, set your sights on Lake Sara, in Effingham County. Constructed in 1957, Lake Sara became a vital resource in providing water to Effingham County and surrounding areas. Today, the lake continues to serve that same purpose, while catering to locals’ needs for outstanding outdoor recreation water sport fun! Once you experience Lake Sara, you’ll forget that you’re well within driving distance of such metropolises as Chicago and St. Louis. All you’ll know is that you’re home!

Blue Point Creek was impounded in order to form Lake Sara, which ultimately feeds into the Little Wabash River. The lake itself covers 840 square acres of space, becoming an instant attraction for anyone in the area looking to make a splash! Area anglers certainly look to these waters to fulfill their want for quality fishing, as Lake Sara is known throughout the Midwest for offering up irresistible catches. Hunt for bluegill, walleye, crappie, channel catfish, and largemouth bass, along with carp, bullhead, and gizzard shad to name a few. The lake teems with numerous populations of fish from years of meticulous stocking. And while it makes for fruitful fishing any time, you won’t be able to resist putting your angling skills to the test at any of several fishing tournaments hosted on the lake each year.

Lake Sara is encircled by 27 miles of shoreline dotted here and there by lakefront properties, full-service marinas, campgrounds, and intimate resorts. Water toys of all shapes and sizes are welcome here, where there are no motor restrictions posed on boats. Launch your pontoon, sailboat, speedboat, kayak, or Jet Ski from the lake’s own public boat ramp and hit the open water! Jet Skis are held to specific guidelines to promote safety, guaranteeing everyone can have a fun and carefree time. Whether you prefer to catch the sights from a wind-whipping sailboat or savor the finer details by exploring Lake Sara’s many coves from a raft or kayak, you’re only a splash away from the time of your life!

Lake homes for sale also share prime waterfront real estate with such enticing recreation accommodations as a public beach, picnic area, and several campgrounds. Once you’ve dried off from a day in the water, you’ll want to appreciate Lake Sara from the perspective of hiking or biking along any of the many trails that line its shores. And your swing will surely benefit from being tested by a pleasant round or two at any area golf course. Such notable links as Cardinal, Fore-Way Challenge, and Effingham Country Club combine challenging drives with stunning backdrops to create a golf experience you won’t soon forget. If you’d like to live on a Lake Sara area golf course, visit GolfHomes.com for property listings.

Once you get Lake Sara under your skin, it will be delightfully difficult to think of this recreation wonderland as anything other than home!

Beautiful northern-style lake with 27 miles of wooded shoreline containing residential lots. Water skiing, fishing, swimming, motor boating, a golf course, beach, trails, and camping are all available at the lake. Lake Sara is located approximately 3 miles northwest of Effingham off Route 32. Lake Sara is located 3 hours south of Chicago on I65/I70.

Jet Skis:

Are they permitted? In process of permitting jet skis, but not allowed at this time.

Swimming:

Can you swim in the lake? Yes

Water quality?

High. Lake water is tested annually by the Effingham Health Dept and has an

Water Level:

Average water level variance? 50 ft with average water level of 588'

Boat Docks:

Are they permitted? Yes

Power Boats:

Are they permitted? Yes but no jet propulsion motors.

Depth of Lake:

50', 800 acres of water

Nearby cities:

Effingham 5 miles, St. Louis 100 miles, Indianapolis 142 miles, Chicago 211 miles

Nearest airport:

Effingham-small airstrip for private planes. Mattoon is a small regional airport, Decatur is a small town airport for commercial flights.

Building restrictions:

Normal restrictions, permits required, established by Effingham Water Authority per neighborhood and varies from area to area.

Fishing Information

Illinois Bass Federation

**Anglers under 16 years of age, and persons declared legally disabled or blind, may fish without a license. Owners or tenants (if they reside on the land) may fish in waters on or flowing over their lands without a license. This exemption does not apply to club and organizational lakes or lake developments.

Persons on active duty in the Armed Forces are considered residents. A person on active duty in the armed forces, who entered the service from Illinois and is an Illinois resident, may fish without a license while on leave.

Boating Information

To register your boat, you must submit a boat application, required documents and the appropriate fee. Applications are available from Department of Natural Resources offices, boat dealers or online. If you have any questions regarding registration and titling, call 217/782-2138 (TDD 217/782-9175).

J & J Marina Marine Drive, Lake Sara, 217-868-5879

Boat rentals, bait, tackle, boat slips, winterizing, food, drinks, and much more. Sunday through Saturday 6:00 am - 8:00 pm

Sportman's Cove Marina, Inc. Park Road, Lake Sara, 217-868-2329

Boat rentals, bait & tackle shop, ice, slip rentals (covered and open), large boat launching area, propane tanks filled, launch permits, Effingham Water Authority Stickers, fishing and hunting licenses sold here. Complete boat service and gas, from water or land. Boat hauling by appointment.

Mo. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sat. - Sun 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Ridgerunners Cove Marina 217-868-2329, RR 2, Effingham, IL 62401-9802

Camping Information

The Lake Sara Campgrounds can be contacted at (217) 868-2964.

Anthony Acres Resort Located on Beautiful Lake Sara. Amenities include cable tv hookups, picnic tables, private decks and grills, private beach, swimming, sundeck, bonfire pit, boat launch ramp, convenience store, bait shop, boat and pontoon rentals, complimentary water permits, washer & dryer, playground, basketball court, shuffle board, horseshoes, game room. 18 and 9 hole golf courses nearby. 15286 Resort Road off Beach Road, Lake Sara, Effingham. For reservations call (217) 868-2950

Camp Lakewood 217-342-6233, 1217 W Rickelman Ave, Effingham, IL

Bliss Park S. Fifth St., Effingham, 217-342-5304 Cozy city block sized park, play area, picnic grounds, 2 shelters, outdoor basketball court. Large trees, shaded picnic areas, and a fountain accentuate those grounds which were willed to the City of Effingham in 1888. Daily 7 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Community Park East Temple Ave., Effingham, 217-342-4415 This 35 acre park offers 3 lighted baseball/softball diamonds, 4 lighted tennis courts, 3 playground areas, and outdoor ice skating rink, 4 picnic areas, 4 pavilions and an outdoor basketball court. Daily 5:30 am to 11:30 pm

Evergreen Hollow Park W. Evergreen Ave, Effingham, 217-342-4415 27 acres, site of outdoor aquatics complex, 2 lighted and 1 unlighted baseball/softball diamond, flag football field, 4 lighted tennis courts, playground area, Vita-course, picnic area, 2 pavilions, Tree Walk and 18-hole miniature golf course. Daily 5:30 am to 11:30 pm

Hendelmeyer Park 1906 S. Fourth St., Effingham, 217-342-4415 This 18 acre park offers 2 lighted and 1 unlighted baseball/softball diamonds, 4 lighted tennis courts, 2 playground areas, a picnic area, pavilion and Recreation Center. Daily 5:30 am to 11:30 pm

Local Area Businesses

Effingham Country Club 18 hole course located west of Effingham near lake Sara. (217) 347-0423

Cardinal Golf Course 18 hole public golf course located off Route 32 northwest of Effingham. (217) 868-2860

Fore-Way Challenge Golf 9 Hole Public Regulation Golf Course located at 25 Lake Sara Road near Lake Sara off of Route 32. (217) 868-5418

Three golf courses are available. The Effingham Country Club has an eighteen hole course, a public course is located at Lake Sara which is just two miles from Effingham city limits, and a par three course is also available. You will never believe what the cost of membership!!!!

HISTORY: Effingham, Illinois, the "Crossroads of Opportunity" traces its roots back to 1814 when the first pioneers settled along the Little Wabash River. In the early 1850's, the railroads arrived and the area's first economic expansion occurred. With the advent of the interstates approximately 100 years later, I57 and I-70 brought Effingham its second economic transformation.

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