Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is an Illinois state park on 10,200 acres (4,128 ha) in Alexander County, Illinois, United States.
Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area | |
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IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
Map of the U.S. state of Illinois showing the location of Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (the United States) | |
Location | Alexander County, Illinois, USA |
Nearest city | Miller City, Illinois |
Coordinates | 37°07′50″N 89°19′59″W / 37.13056°N 89.33306°W |
Area | 10,200 acres (4,128 ha) |
Governing body | Illinois Department of Natural Resources |
In April 1927, the Department of Conservation purchased 49 acres for development as a Canada goose sanctuary.[1][2] Additional tracts of land were purchased to increase the size to today's 10,200 acres (4,128 ha). The topography is largely flat with shallow sloughs.[3]
The Horseshoe Lake SFWA includes Horseshoe Lake.[2]
Native southern hardwood forests and bald cypress, tupelo gum, swamp cottonwood, elm, and tulip poplar trees can be found in the area.[1][2] Two large tracts have been dedicated as Illinois Nature Preserves and are used for scientific research and education.[1] Common aquatic plants include buttonbush, lotus, duckweed, coontail, and water primrose.[2]
Canada goose can be found in the fall and winter seasons. Native mammals include white-tailed deer, red fox, gray fox, muskrat, beaver, fox squirrel, and gray squirrel.[2] Reptiles include the cottonmouth snake, assorted water snakes, and various species of turtles.[2] The lake contains fish such as carp, sucker, channel catfish, black bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, bowfin, and gar.[2][4]
Four picnic areas with picnic tables and stoves are located around the park.[1]
There are 38 Class A camping sites, 40 Class B/E camping sites, and 10 Class C sites available.[1]
There are 4,190 acres (1,696 ha) available for hunting.[3]