General
Information:
The
Donnelley/DePue State Fish and Wildlife Areas complex is managed primarily
for migratory waterfowl. Frank C. Bellrose, world-renown waterfowl expert,
designated this Great Bend as the entry point to the lower Illinois
River valley, an important North American waterfowl migration corridor.
The
Donnelley/DePue complex is home to a $1 million State Duck Stamp Project,
which was funded through State Duck Stamp dollars, State of Illinois Capital
Development Board funds and Ducks Unlimited M.A.R.S.H. contributions.
This project greatly increased the complex's ability to provide significant
sanctuary with dependable food resources as well as increased services
to the high hunting demands of northern Illinois.
These
state wildlife areas contain a variety of wetland habitats
critical to migratory waterfowl. Consequently, much
of the 3,015-acre complex is managed for waterfowl feeding, nesting, resting,
hunting and viewing.
Fishing
and Boating
Since
these areas border the Illinois River, boating and fishing are popular activities.
Species of interest to anglers include walleye, sauger, white bass, smallmouth
bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, drum, crappie, bullhead and carp.
Nature
Preserve
Hiking,
photography and nature study attract visitors to nearby Miller-Anderson
Woods Nature Preserve.
Two
of the state areas in Putnam County are managed by the Putnam County
Conservation District. Hiking and equestrian trails are available at Fox
Run, while George S. Memorial Park is restricted to nature study.
Donnelley
State Wildlife Area:
In
1982, Windblown Bottoms Duck Club, containing Coleman Lake, came under
state management through the gifts and efforts of Gaylord and Dorothy
Donnelley.
Located
in Putnam County, 2 miles north of Hennepin on Putnam County Highway 1,
Donnelley Wildlife Area is open to the public during waterfowl season
and open to school and study groups by appointment. Most of the year it
is managed primarily for wildlife needs, and is to public
use.
Hunting
The
site of one of the nation's first public youth waterfowl hunts, Donnelley
continues to offer two youth hunts a year.
The area also has an accessible blind, the first in the state.
This
site has the reputation of offering a high-quality public hunting experience
approaching the atmosphere of the traditional private club. Within a few
miles, the two oldest private duck clubs in the state still operate and
serve as reminders of "the way it used to be."
The
daily blind draw, held one hour before shooting hours for 15 blinds, requires
a $10 usage stamp per person. This covers the boat, blind and equipment
use. Outboard motors are not allowed.
Donnelley
Hunter Fact Sheet
Depue
State Fish Wildlife Area:
Lake
DePue and Spring Lake in Bureau County have rich histories of commercial
hunting and fishing, attesting to the wildlife bounty of the area.
The
DePue Rod and Gun Club was organized in the early 1900s, and it was not
long before the hunting reputation of the area attracted members from
around Illinois. When the state acquired the property in 1970, the clubhouse
gun racks still carried well-known names of some past governors and influential
businessmen.
Over
the years the state has added several properties, bringing the backwater
lakes and wetlands to 2,350 acres available for waterfowl needs and water-based
recreation. The village of DePue offers access to Lake DePue. DePue and
Spring lakes are accessible from the Illinois River, depending on the
river levels.
Hunting
Blind
sites are allocated by yearly draw, with the exception of a few daily
blind draws. Registered blind builders must claim blind use daily one
hour before shooting hours, with unclaimed blinds becoming open to daily
draw. Hunters must supply their own boats and decoys.
Depue
Hunter Fact Sheet | Three
I Unit Hunter Fact Sheet |
Hormel
Landing:
Located
adjacent to the village of Bureau Junction in Bureau County, Hormel Landing
offers a pleasant location for family outings.
Originally,
the Hormel Company built three impoundments as processing ponds for a
meat-packing plant. When Hormel selected a different plant site, the land
and ponds were transferred to the state.
The
ponds are nestled in a secluded basin surrounded by wooden bluffs, marshland,
the Hennepin Canal and a bottomland woods that beavers have flooded. The
setting is relaxing and invites one to explore its diversity.
A
state fish-stocking program supplements the ponds' natural restocking
that results whenever the Illinois River exceeds its banks.
The
entrance and upper level playground area are jointly cared for and developed
by the Bureau United Men's Society and the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources.
Miller-Anderson
Woods:
Along
Route 29, at the Bureau-Putnam County border, wooded bluffs rise above
the broad Illinois River valley to create Miller-Anderson Woods Nature
Preserve. The preserve protects old-growth upland forest, ravines, valley
forest and a floating bog.
A
narrow, ribbon-marked, moderately difficult trail guides one through the
woodland variety which displays endangered plants and Ohio buckeye in
its most northern range.
Once
on top and near the bluff's edge, one is treated to a panoramic view of
some of the Illinois River valley's richest wetlands. Very often seen
riding the air currents are turkey vultures and, occasionally, bald eagles.
Much
of the preserve was donated to the state and dedicated to Dorothy Anderson
in 1969. Groups of 25 or more need advance, written permission to enter
this protected area.
Directions:
To
reach DONNELLEY, take I-80 to I-39. Head south to Exit Route 71. Turn
west (right). Exit at Route 26 south to Hennepin. Take Putnam County Highway
1 north for 2 miles to the park.
TO
reach DEPUE, take Interstate 80. Exit at Spring Valley (Route 89) and
go south to Route 29. Turn west (right) for five miles. Turn south at
DePue sign (Marquette Road) Follow Marquette Road through town to first
stop sign. Turn left (Depot Street). At next stop sign, turn left (4th
Street). Office is located at the end of the road.
- While groups of 25 or
more are welcome and encouraged to use the park's facilities, they are required
to register in advance with the site office to avoid crowding or scheduling
conflicts.
- At least one responsible
adult must accompany each group of 15 minors.
- Pets must be kept on
leashes at all times.
- Actions by nature can
result in closed roads and other facilities. Please call ahead to the park
office before you make your trip.
- We hope you enjoy your
stay. Remember, take only memories, leave only footprints.
- For more information
on tourism in Illinois, call the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community
Affairs' Bureau of Tourism at 1-800-2Connect.
- Telecommunication Device
for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Natural Resources Information (217) 782-9175
for TDD only Relay Number 800-526-0844.
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