National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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Union County State Forest
State Park Information
Fishing and Hunting
Fishing
Fishing is permitted in Grassy Lake from March 1 to October 15. Outboard motor size is limited to 10 horsepower or less. Grassy Lake is a shallow, fertile bottomland lake with catfish, the primary sport fish attraction.
Excellent early spring and late summer bluegill and crappie fishing exists in Lyerla Lake. Fishing is permitted from March 1 to October 15, with outboard motor size limited to 10 horsepower or less.
Hunting
Approximately 2,050 acres at the south end of the site are designated as a Public Hunting Area. Goose hunting is on a permit basis with permits being issued from the Springfield office upon application by interested hunters. Daily permit fee is $15 with blinds, decoys and transportation to the field provided on the area. A total of 35 blinds can accommodate 70 hunters each day. A drawing is held each morning to allocate blinds to permit holders.
Additional hunting opportunities exist for deer, squirrel, ducks and doves both on the Public Hunting Area and in the firing line unit.
History of the Area
More Info
Welcome to Rustic Hideaway Cabins! Southern Illinois cabin rental. We currently have log cabins for
1/2 mile down road at State Pond. Union County State forest east within 1 mile. Horse back
Nature Programs
Union County State Fish & Wildlife Area encompasses 6,202 acres in the Lower Mississippi River bottomlands division of Illinois. Numerous shallow sloughs and other water areas totaling approximately 1,100 acres are scattered throughout the area. More prominent water areas include Grassy Lake with 350 acres and Lyerla Lake with 275 acres.
Of the 5,350-acre land area -pproximately 2,400 acres are cultivated. The remaining acreage is timber, brush or permanent grass cover. By far the most intensive activity on the area is farming. Each year a variety of hard grain and green forage crops are planted and left standing to provide food for wintering geese. More than 2,400 acres of corn, sunflower, wheat, clover and other crops are established for this purpose.
Union County State Fish & Wildlife Area is a haven for many diverse forms of wildlife. The most prominent throughout five months of the year is the phenomenal flock of Canada geese and other waterfowl which winter on the area. White-tailed deer, bald and golden eagles and
many other interesting types of wildlife are commonly observed by visitors to the area.
Public use of interior gravel roads is restricted except when permission is granted for special circumstances such as student research and site tours.
Public use in the refuge is limited to sightseeing and wildlife photography. No hunting is allowed. In order to avoid disturbance of waterfowl on the area, no day use or overnight facilities have been developed.
Throughout the fall and winter months, thousands of Canada geese are concentrated along the Refuge Drive. Few places in Illinois exist where so many wild geese can be closely observed and photographed in their natural habitat.
Union County State Forest