Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area | |
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Map of the
U.S. state of
Illinois showing the location of Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area | |
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 |
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.
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]