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.
| Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area | |
|---|---|
  Map of the U.S. state of Illinois showing the location of Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area  Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (the United States) | |
| Location | Fulton / Schuyler counties, Illinois, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Astoria, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 40°12′05″N 90°11′30″W / 40.20139°N 90.19167°W |
| Area | 2,247 acres (909 ha) |
| Established | 1947 |
| Governing body | Illinois Department of Natural Resources |
Natural features
editThis 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
editThe 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
editBird 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
editAnderson 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
editAnderson 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
edit- ^ a b c d "Anderson Lake SFWA". dnr.illinois.gov. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Lake Profile -- ANDERSON LAKE". www.ifishillinois.org. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Anderson Lake State Conservation Area". Illinois River Road. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
- ^ "State Buys Anderson Lake for Game Area". Dixon Evening Telegraph. June 27, 1947. p. 12. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c d "Activities at Anderson Lake SFWA". dnr.illinois.gov. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
- ^ "Hunt Illinois". huntillinois.org. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
- "Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area". Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Archived from the original on May 17, 2007. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
- USGS. "Anderson Lake State Conservation Area, USGS Bath (IL) Quad". TopoQuest. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
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