Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area facts for kids

The Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area is a special place in Starke County, USA. It's where the Yellow River meets the Kankakee River. This area is managed by the Indiana DNR and is a great spot for enjoying nature, fishing, and watching wildlife.

The state bought a big part of this marshland in 1927. It was first used as a camp for the Civilian Conservation Corp, a group of up to 400 men who worked on conservation projects. After the camp closed, the area became a game preserve. In the 1950s, people started managing the land to help waterfowl like ducks and geese. More land was added in 1982 and 1992, making it the large area it is today.

This wildlife area is a small part of what was once called the Grand Kankakee Marsh. This huge marsh was famous around the world for its many waterfowl. People used to say the sky would turn black because of the countless ducks and geese flying overhead!

Fishing Fun at Kankakee

The Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area has two places where you can launch a boat. One is in English Lake, where the Yellow and Kankakee Rivers meet. The other is on the Kankakee River near Indiana State Road 39.

Fish You Can Catch

In the Kankakee River, you might catch:

• Large mouth and Small mouth Bass
• Catfish
• Northern Pike

In the Yellow River, common fish include:

• Small mouth Bass
• Catfish
• Walleye

If you fish in the ditches, you might find bowfin. These unique fish are often caught using lures that float on top of the water.

Watching Wildlife and Nature

This area covers about 4,095 acres. It has different types of habitats, including:

• Riparian woodlands (forests along rivers)
• Wetlands (areas where the land is covered by water)
• Marshes (wetlands with grassy plants)
• Farmland

These different habitats mean you can see many kinds of birds and other animals.

Birds to Spot

You might see a wide variety of birds here, such as:

• Wild turkey
• Ducks
• Geese
• Other waterfowl (birds that live near water)
• Hawks
• Owls
• Osprey (a type of fish-eating hawk)
• Bald eagle (the national bird of the USA)
• Many different kinds of neo-tropical birds (birds that migrate from warmer climates)

Who Manages the Area?

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) takes care of the Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area. They work to protect the wildlife and habitats, and to make sure people can enjoy the area safely.