Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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 Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area
Location in Illinois
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| Location | Franklin and Jefferson Counties, Illinois, USA |
| Nearest city | Benton, Illinois |
| Area | 3,300 acres (13.35 km2) |
| Established | 1975 |
| Governing body | Illinois Department of Natural Resources |
The Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area is a large park in Illinois. It covers about 3,300 acres (which is about 13.4 square kilometers). This park is right next to Rend Lake near the town of Benton, Illinois. The park is looked after by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. They make sure it's a great place for fun activities near the water. You can enjoy things like boating, fishing, and having a picnic here.
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How the Park Was Created
The Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area has an interesting history. It all started because of Rend Lake.
Building Rend Lake
Rend Lake was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This group works on big projects like dams and waterways. They finished building Rend Lake in 1970. To create the lake, they needed a lot of land. After the lake was done, much of this land was available for public use.
From Land to Park
In 1975, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made a deal with the state of Illinois. They leased a large piece of land, which became the Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area. This meant the state could manage it for everyone to enjoy.
Who Was Wayne Fitzgerrell?
The park is named after a special person named Wayne Fitzgerrell. He was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives. This is a group of elected officials who make laws for the state. Wayne Fitzgerrell was from Wayne County, Illinois, which is nearby. He was one of the local leaders who strongly believed that a dam should be built on the Big Muddy River. This dam would create Rend Lake, which he knew would be a great resource for the area.
What Can You Do at the Park?
The Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. It was originally called a state park. However, in the 1990s, its name changed. This new name showed that it was a place managed especially for people who enjoy outdoor sports.
Hunting Opportunities
A big part of the park, about 1,000 acres (4.0 square kilometers), is carefully managed for hunting. People can hunt for animals like deer. They can also hunt upland birds such as pheasants and other small game. This management helps keep the animal populations healthy.
Fishing at Rend Lake
The park is a main entry point to Rend Lake. The lake is well-known for its excellent fishing. Many different types of fish live here. You can try to catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and crappie. It's a great place for a fishing trip!
Getting to the Park
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area is unique because a major highway goes right through it. This highway is Interstate 57. Many visitors use Exit 77 on I-57 to reach the park. This exit is close to the park's main office in Whittington, Illinois.
