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 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/Species Specific Regulations
Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.
All statewide hunting regulations apply at site unless noted hereafter.
Site requires use of windshield card, displayed on 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:
- Season begins at the end of duck season and continues until the statewide closing date.
- Only one tree stand or ground blind is allowed per deer hunter. Must be protable and must be removed at the end of each day.
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 in 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
Controlled Pheasant Hunting
Not available at this site.
Crow
Not available at this site.
Dove
Not available at this site.
Pheasant/Quail/Partridge
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.
Woodcock
Not available at this site.
Furbearers
Hunting
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Raccoon and Opossum hunting only.
- 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
- More information