Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is an Illinois state park on 2,247 acres (909 ha) in Fulton County, Illinois, United States. A small part at the southern end extends into Schuyler County. Anderson Lake is located in the area.

Natural features

This west floodplain lake receives overflow waters from the Illinois River.[1][2] The Anderson lake has a surface area of 1,134 acres (459 ha) with an average depth of 4 ft (1.2 m) and a maximum depth of 6 ft (1.8 m)[1] with 9.1 mi (14.6 km) shore is surrounded by bottomland forest.[2][3]

A levee constructed in 1980 separates Anderson Lake from Carlson Lake, a smaller 231 acres (93 ha) lake to the south that serves as a waterfowl refuge area.[1][2] Carlson Lake is drained in the spring to plant food for ducks, then flooded in the fall during migration season to attract waterfowl.[1]

Flora

The site is primarily bottomland forest. Tree species include: silver maple, cottonwood, black willow, tulip poplar, black walnut, red maple, and American sycamore.[2][3]

Fauna

Bird species include: mallard, wood duck, bald eagles, American white pelicans, American robin, cedar waxwing, chipping sparrow, osprey, red-tailed hawks, and purple martins.[3]

History

Anderson Lake SFWA was once a private duck-hunting club.[3] The Anderson Lake and adjacent Carlson Lake area were purchased by the state in 1947, managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).[3][4][5]

Recreation

Anderson Lake has boat docks and two public boat ramps.[6] Tent and trailer camping is available at Class C sites.[6] Two picnic shelters and picnic tables are available.[6] Hunting is permitted on 1,900 acres (770 ha) for waterfowl, doves, deer, rabbit, quail, and squirrel.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Anderson Lake SFWA". dnr.illinois.gov. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Lake Profile -- ANDERSON LAKE". www.ifishillinois.org. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Anderson Lake State Conservation Area". Illinois River Road. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  4. ^ "State Buys Anderson Lake for Game Area". Dixon Evening Telegraph. June 27, 1947. p. 12. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  5. ^ "John Q. Sportsman Gets His Biggest Dollar's Worth at Public Shooting Grounds". Centralia Evening Sentinel. November 9, 1948. p. 5. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d "Activities at Anderson Lake SFWA". dnr.illinois.gov. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  7. ^ "Hunt Illinois". huntillinois.org. Retrieved October 14, 2023.