Anderson Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area

647 N State HWY 100
Astoria, IL 61501
309.759.4484

History

In the early half of the 1900s, Anderson Lake was a private shooting grounds for one of the many once-famous duck clubs that dotted the Illinois River valley. Since the first land purchases by the state in 1947, the site has been operated as a public hunting and fishing area.

The 2,247-acre area is in west-central Illinois, about 11 miles north of Browning in Fulton County along Route 100.

Anderson Lake is a floodplain lake that frequently receives overflow waters from the Illinois River. The lake has 1,134 surface acres with a maximum depth of six feet and an average depth of four feet. Carlson Lake is a waterfowl management area of 230 surface acres, with a maximum depth of five feet and an average depth of three feet. This area is drained in early summer, planted to feed duck and flooded in the fall to attract waterfowl to the area.

The area is a picturesque bottomland setting with timber species dominated by silver maple, cottonwood and willow. Plant growth is lush and the timber tends to be tall. A variety of waterfowl abounds in the area. For bird enthusiasts, large numbers of bald eagles can be seen in the winter months and white pelicans viewed during the spring on their migration north.

Facilities

The site has several picnic areas, with two shelters, tables and drinking water.

The Class C campgrounds are on the west bank of the lake and provide for both tents and trailers. A sanitary dump station is also available.

Crappie, bluegill, bullhead, bass and channel cat fishing is consistently good in early and late spring. Ice fishing for crappie and bluegill is also popular.

The area provides boat docks and two public boat ramps.

Waterfowl populations consist chiefly of mallard and wood duck. The area provides blind sites for waterfowl hunting in the fall months. Upland game consisting of rabbit, quail and squirrel is also open to hunting. Dove hunting is available on agricultural fields that are planted in sunflowers and wheat if river levels permit. Deer may be taken by bow and arrow. Check with the site superintendent for specific times and dates. Hunter Fact Sheet

This area is for all to enjoy, so help keep it clean. Put all litter in trash containers. No flowers, plants, shrubs or trees may be removed or damaged. If you need help or have a questions, contact the site superintendent.

If coming from the Chicago area or from the southern or eastern part of the State, exit off I-55 at McLean (Route 136 West) which is located 12 miles south of Bloomington/Normal. Continue west on Route 136 for 48 miles, turn left (south) onto Route 100. Drive an additional 9 miles and the Lake entrance is located on the left side (east) of the highway.

If coming from the western and northwestern parts of Illinois on any of the following routes: 136 east, 41 south, 78 south, 97 south, or 24 to Route 100 south off of Route 136--after turning onto Route 100, drive an additional 9 miles to the Lake entrance located on the left side (east) of Route 100.

If coming from the southwestern part of Illinois, go north on Route 100 at the Junction of 100/67/103 (east of Beardstown) for twenty miles. The Lake entrance is located on the right hand side (east) of Route 100.

Official Anderson Lake Website

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