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A tremendous
variety of outdoor recreational opportunities and natural beauty awaits
you at Carlyle Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area, 60 miles east of St.
Louis, near Vandalia. The area is at the northern end of Carlyle Lake
and at the southwestern tip of Fayette County.
Carlyle Lake is a 26,000-acre multipurpose lake administered by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers. The Department of Natural Resources has a 25-year
lease on part of the Army Corps' property to conduct a variety of habitat
management measures aimed at increasing food, shelter and nesting areas
for numerous wildlife species.
Recreational opportunities abound on the
lake and at Eldon Hazlet State Park, at the southern end of the lake.
At the Fish and Wildlife Area, however, the pleasures are simple and revolve
mainly around enjoying the beauty and solitude of nature as visitors birdwatch,
fish and hunt.
The federal lease
land and state property provide almost 9,500 acres of wildlife habitat.
The Fish and Wildlife Area is blessed with habitat diversity: approximately
2,000 acres of woodland, 5,800 acres of open water and wetlands, 200 acres
of grassland and 1,500 acres of cropland planted for wildlife food and
cover. The area is divided by the following management areas: Westside
Management Area, Eastside Management Area, Flooded Dead Timber Area and
Open Water Area.
Hunting
and Fishing
Carlyle Lake is known
as one of the top waterfowl hunting areas in the state. The Department
of Natural Resources also provides opportunities for hunting white-tailed
deer, turkeys, squirrels, quail, rabbits and doves. Trapping
is permitted after duck season and requires a permit from the site manager.
Fishing is available on more than 2,000 acres of the lake and on the Kaskaskia
River. Two boat ramps on the Kaskaskia River providing fishing access.
Bird watchers will enjoy observing bald eagles, ospreys, cormorants and
great blue herons, as well as numerous species of shorebirds and songbirds.
Westside Management
Area Hunter
Fact Sheet
A network of levees
separates the 3,500-acre bottomland area into several smaller and more
manageable compartments. Habitat management consists of planting crops
such as corn, milo, millet and winter wheat, and promoting the growth
of natural wetland vegetation (moist soil management).
Manipulation of water levels plays an important part in management
of the area. By manipulating spring water levels, moist soil plants, such
as wild millet, can grow in several permanent moist soil areas and in some
fields planted to annual crops the previous year. In the fall,
flooding the leveed areas provides migrating waterfowl access to the food.
Access this area at Cox's Bridge, Hitogi Access Area, or parking
lots at Subimpoundments 1, 2 or 3.
Eastside
Management Area
The 2,500-acre area
located on the east side of the Kaskaskia River provides opportunities
for waterfowl, upland and forest game hunters. The area is blessed with
numerous natural wetlands and a large tract of timber. Additionally, several
fields are planted to wildlife food plants. Fields also are planted to
provide dove hunting opportunities. Access is by way of two parking lots at Eckert's
Woods, and the Hitogi and Cox's Bridge access fields.
Flooded Dead
Timber Area
Creek channels, islands
and standing dead timber scattered throughout the water area provide numerous
opportunities for hunting. Access to both the Flooded
Dead Timber Area and Open Water Area is by way of Boulder, Cox's Bridge,
East Fork Creek, Keyesport, North Fork Creek, Patoka and Tamalco access
areas.
Open Water Area
Open water south and
north of the B&N Railroad provides opportunities for scenic boating,
birdwatching and hunting. The area provides resting and roosting space,
which encourages a greater waterfowl population. Access to both the Flooded
Dead Timber Area and Open Water Area is by way of Boulder, Cox's Bridge,
East Fork Creek, Keyesport, North Fork Creek, Patoka and Tamalco access
areas.
- 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 Economic Opportunity,
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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