Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
Location in Illinois
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| Location | Tazewell County, Illinois, United States |
| Nearest city | Manito, Illinois |
| Area | 2,032 acres (822 ha) |
| Established | 1950 |
| Governing body | Illinois Department of Natural Resources |
The Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is a special place in Illinois. It is a state park that covers about 2,032 acres (822 hectares). You can find it in Tazewell County, in the United States. This area is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
The park is mostly focused on Spring Lake. This lake is about 8.5 miles (13.7 km) long. It runs next to the Illinois River. The lake is quite shallow, only about 10 feet (3 meters) deep at its deepest points.
Contents
What is Spring Lake Like?
Spring Lake is located in the southwest part of Tazewell County. Over the years, people have changed the lake quite a bit. They built large walls called dikes in the 1900s and again in the 1950s.
The second set of dikes was built around both the old Spring Lake and a smaller lake called Saiwell Lake. These dikes made the two lakes almost join together. Now, only a small wall separates them. Both parts are now known as modern Spring Lake. The closest big town to the park is Manito, Illinois.
Fishing at Spring Lake
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) takes care of Spring Lake. They make sure it's a great place for fishing. You can find many types of fish here.
What Kinds of Fish Live Here?
Some of the fish you might catch include:
- Largemouth bass
- Bluegill
- Bullhead
- Carp
- Channel catfish
- Crappie
- Muskie (short for Muskellunge)
- Northern pike
- Sunfish
Why is the Water Cool?
The lake gets its water from many local springs. This means the water is usually cooler than in most other lakes connected to the Illinois River. This cooler water helps certain fish species thrive.
Boating Rules and Ramps
If you want to go boating, there are four places to launch your boat. The IDNR has a rule about boat engines. Your boat engine cannot be more than 25 horsepower (19 kW). This rule helps keep the lake calm and safe for everyone.
