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Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area

Site Contact Info

Office phone: 309-246-8351

Office address:  c/o Marshall SFWA, 236 State Rt. 26, Lacon, IL 61540

Site coordinates: 40.87946 -89.45728

County: Woodford

Site Superintendent

District Wildlife Biologist

Conservation Police

Site Closures List

Site Map

Digital Map

Printable Map – Upland Game

Printable Map – Waterfowl

Site Characteristics

Huntable acres: 1,350

Habitat: The site consists of two backwater lakes of the Illinois River (Goose Lake and the northern part of Upper Peoria Lake) and a Forest Wetland Management Unit.

Site Specific Regulations

Active habitat management will occur throughout the year on the site. 

Statewide and associated species regulations apply at the site unless noted hereafter.

Site requires the use of a windshield card, displayed on the vehicle dashboard, to report hunting effort and harvest by 15 February. 

Hunting is restricted to those areas posted as open to hunting. At no time are hunters permitted to enter designated waterfowl refuges or rest areas. 

Hunters 16 years of age and younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 

Youth may be required to provide proof of age, and disabled hunters must be able to provide a P2, P2a, H2, H2a or disabled veteran card as proof of disability to have priority in drawings for awarding of waterfowl hunting sites. 

Severe weather and safety conditions can result in closing all or part of the areas. 

Deer

Archery

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except that the season begins at the end of duck season and continues until the statewide closing date.

A statewide permit is required.

Firearm

Not available at this site.

Late Winter Antlerless

Not available at this site.

Muzzleloader

Not available at this site.

Special CWD

Not available at this site.

Youth Firearm

Not available at this site.

Turkey

Not available at this site.

Waterfowl

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:

  • Low water conditions due to the siltation of the Illinois River backwaters may make access to certain blinds difficult or nearly impossible during segments of the waterfowl season. Shallow-water drive or “mud motors” are recommended when conditions warrant. Further information on water levels and blind accessibility can be obtained from the site office. 
  • No permanent blinds may be constructed for the sole purpose of teal season. 
  • Hunting from a completed blind or staked site is waived during seasons held before the regular duck season or for seasons held after the duck season. 
  • Beginning the day after duck season ends, when the check station is not operating, unclaimed blinds shall be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ducks, Coots, & Mergansers

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.

Goose

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.

Snipe & Rail

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.

Youth Waterfowl

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.

Upland & Small Game

Dove

Not available at this site.

Rabbits

Not available at this site.

Squirrels

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:

  • Allowed from statewide opening until Sept 30. 
  • Shotgun or bow and arrow only.

Upland Birds

Not available at this site.

Woodcock

Not available at this site.

Furbearers

Hunting

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:

  • Raccoon and Opossum hunting only.
  • The season opens after the conclusion of duck season.
  • Rimfire rifles .22 caliber and smaller may be used from sunset to sunrise.
  • Windshield Card required.

Trapping

Not available at this site.

Amenities

Hiking trails

Hunting

More information