Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area facts for kids

The Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area is a special place in Illinois where nature is protected. It covers about 974 acres. This area is south of Lincoln, Illinois. It started in 1971 as Railsplitter State Park. In 1995, it was renamed to honor Edward R. Madigan. He was a leader from Lincoln who worked in the United States House of Representatives (a part of the U.S. government that makes laws) and later became the United States Secretary of Agriculture (a government leader for farming and food). The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) takes care of the park.

This park is shaped like a horseshoe. One of the most important parts of the park is a 2.5-mile section of Salt Creek. This creek is a major stream that flows into the Sangamon River in central Illinois.

About the Park

What You Can See

Birds and Wildlife

The Edward R. Madigan area is a main place where the IDNR raises pheasants. They produce 80,000 to 100,000 young pheasants each year. You can also find other birds here, like doves and quail.

Fish and Water Fun

In 2006, the IDNR said that Salt Creek had many kinds of fish. These include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, crappie, drum, channel catfish, bullhead, and carp. The bluegill is the official state fish of Illinois. You can go canoeing and kayaking in Salt Creek during the daytime.

Amazing Trees

There are trails that stretch for about 7.75 miles through the wooded areas. The low-lying land near Salt Creek has one of Illinois's largest American sycamore trees. Away from the creek, the park has groups of white oak and hickory trees. These are common trees in central Illinois. The white oak is the official state tree of Illinois. You can also find ash, hackberry, and black walnut trees here. A group of 100 to 150 deer also live in the park, eating the trees and bushes.

Getting There

Park Access

Old U.S. Highway 66, which is now called Interstate Business 55, goes through the Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area. The easiest way to get to the park is from exit 123 on Interstate 55. This is where Business 55 meets Interstate 55.

More Info

• Joe McFarland, "Lincoln's Outdoors", Outdoor Illinois (magazine), March 2007, pages 10–13.

Quick facts for kids Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area Location in Illinois
Location	Logan County, Illinois, USA
Nearest city	Lincoln, Illinois
Area	974 acres (394 ha)
Established	1971
Governing body	Illinois Department of Natural Resources