DNR Conservation Areas

Banner Marsh and Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Areas

Both sites are located approximately 25 miles southwest of Peoria on U.S. Route 24 and are protected from the Illinois River by a major levee. Teeming with fish and wildlife, these areas provide various outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, boating, dog training, picnicking, wildlife observation, and photography. There are three public access areas leading into Banner Marsh, and one for Rice Lake, all of which have parking lots, boat ramps, restrooms, and picnic areas. The only type of camping allowed at Banner Marsh is youth group camping. However, Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area offers tent and trailer camping facilities including two that are handicapped accessible .

• During hunting seasons, Banner Marsh is a very popular place with Illinois outdoorsmen. Diverse in habitat, wildlife species, and management practices, Banner Marsh offers a variety of hunting opportunities, including waterfowl, dove, upland game, and deer (archery only).  During waterfowl hunting season, Rice Lake is also popular with sportsmen, the area is open for hunting, and there is a daily draw for walk-in hunters. Because of its wetland acreage and river backwater, this area is a hunter’s paradise. Archery deer hunting also is available
• With more than 200 clear water bodies holding numerous species of fish, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, crappie, bluegill, redear, green sunfish, and channel cat, fishing is a common interest among many who visit the area. Boat fishing is prohibited on Rice Lake during waterfowl season (October 1-April 1) to limit the disturbance to migrating species. Likewise, at Banner Marsh, boat fishing is prohibited during waterfowl season, but bank fishing is allowed after 1:00 p.m. daily. Fishing is otherwise permitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Row boats, canoes, and small motor boats are all popular watercraft at Banner Marsh. Jet skis, water skiing, swimming, and operation of boat motors in excess of 25 horsepower are all prohibited in both wildlife areas.

Address: 19721 North US 24, Canton, IL 61520
Phone: (309) 647-9184

For more information visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.

Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is an Illinois state park on 2,247 acres located along Illinois Route 100 in southwestern Fulton County. A small part at the southern end extends into Schuyler County.

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 6 feet and an average depth of 4 feet. Carlson Lake is a waterfowl management area of 230 surface acres, with a maximum depth of five feet and an average depth of 3 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 lush plant growth and towering silver maple, cottonwood and willow. 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.

• The site has several picnic areas, with two shelters, tables and drinking water.
• The Class C campgrounds on the west bank of the lake provides for both tents and trailers. A sanitary dump station also is 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 has boat docks and two public boat ramps.
• Mallards and wood ducks are the primary species of waterfowl. The area provides blind sites for waterfowl hunting in the fall months. Upland game consisting of rabbit, quail and squirrel also is open to hunting. Dove hunting is available on agricultural fields 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

Address: 647 North State Hwy 100, Astoria, Illinois 61501
Phone: (309) 759-4484

For more information visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website