Location: 11 miles southwest of Vandalia; 27 miles northeast of Carlyle; 10 miles southeast of Mulberry Grove in the southwest corner of Fayette County.
Satellite Site: East Fork Management Unit (394 acres) - CR #3 - Boulder Road - northeast of Boulder in Clinton County.
Description: Carlyle Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area is made up of over 400 upland acres and nearly, 9500 bottomland acres. Primary hunting activity is for waterfowl, but also excellent deer and turkey hunting.
Management activities including, but not limited to, prescribed burning, and herbicide treatments may occur on site at any time.
Total acres: 9,914
Grassland acres: 200
Cropland/food plot acres: 1,500
Open water/wetland acres: 5,802
Woodland acres: 2,392
Seasons, Hours, Limits:
Species | Season | Hours | Special Rules/Permits |
|---|
Rabbit & Quail | Statewide Regulations | Sunrise to sunset | Statewide Regulations; See # 1, 2, & 11 |
Squirrel | Statewide Regulations | 1/2 hr. before sunrise to 1/2 hr. after sunset | Statewide Regulations; See # 2, 11 & 12 |
Deer (Youth Firearm) | Statewide Regulations | 1/2 hr. before sunrise to 1/2 hr. after sunset | 1/permit; See # 8 & 11 |
Deer (Firearm) | Statewide Regulations | 1/2 hr. before sunrise to 1/2 hr. after sunset | 1/permit; See # 2, 9 & 11 |
Deer (Muzzleloader) | Statewide Regulations | 1/2 hr. before sunrise to 1/2 hr. after sunset | 1/permit; See # 2, 9 & 11 |
Deer (Archery) | Statewide Regulations | 1/2 hr. before sunrise to 1/2 hr. after sunset | 1/permit; See # 2 & 11 |
Turkey (Spring Shotgun/Archery) | Statewide Regulations (south zone) | 1/2 hr. before sunrise to 1 PM. | 1 gobbler or bearded hen/permit; See # 10 & 11 |
Turkey (Fall/Archery) | Statewide Regulations | 1/2 hr. before sunrise to 1/2 hr. after sunset | 1 turkey/permit; maximum of 2, See # 2 & 11 |
Dove | Statewide Regulations | Sunrise to sunset | Statewide Regulations; See # 2, 3 & 11 |
Early Teal & Canada Goose | Statewide Regulations | Sunrise to sunset | Statewide Regulations; See # 4 & 11 |
Waterfowl (south central zone) | Statewide Regulations | Legal opening - 1 PM | Statewide Regulations; See # 4, 5 & 6 |
Youth Waterfowl
(south central zone) | Statewide Regulations | Legal Opening - 1 PM | Statewide Regulations; See # 4 |
Furbearer Hunting | Statewide Regulations | Opening day sunrise - closing day sunset | Statewide Regulations; See # 2, 11 & 12 |
Furbearer Trapping | Statewide Regulations | Opening day sunrise - closing day sunset | Statewide Regulations; See # 2, 7 & 11 |
Rail, snipe & woodcock | Statewide Regulations | Sunrise to sunset | Statewide Regulations; See # 2 & 11 |
Hunters are required to wear a cap and upper outer garment of solid and vivid blaze orange of at least 400 square inches.
Sub impoundment area is closed to hunting other species seven days prior to and during the waterfowl season.
Non-toxic shot (#6 steel shot or #7 1/2 bismuth shot or smaller) required with a 25-shell limit during regular duck and goose season.
Hunters are required to sign in prior to hunting and sign out prior to exiting the area at the nearest registration box located at the access parking lots. Waterfowl hunters must maintain a distance of 200 yards between hunting parties and must hunt over a minimum of 12 decoys per party.
No trespassing in the sub impoundment area seven days prior to the waterfowl season, except youth waterfowl hunting participants. It is unlawful to trespass upon areas designated as waterfowl rest areas from two weeks prior to the start of regular duck season through the close of Canada goose season.
Only walk-in hunting and hunting with boats without motors shall be permitted in the sub impoundment area. No one may enter the sub impoundment area before 4:30 AM or remain in the area after 3:00 PM each day of the waterfowl hunting season, except during the last 3 days of Canada goose season and during and goose season that occur after Canada goose season.
DURING THE REGULAR WATERFOWL SEASON, HUNTERS MAY NOT POSSES MORE THAN 25 SHOTGUN SHELLS. NOTE - THE SUB-IMPOUNDMENT AREA INCLUDES THE AREA EXTENDING TO THE BANKS OF THE KASKASKIA RIVER.
Requires site permit from site superintendent.. No trapping in the sub impoundment areas until after the close of regular waterfowl season. Approved land set traps include Egg Traps, Dog-Proof, Lil Grizz Get'rz, box traps, cage traps, and traps of similar design.
Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Fayette County Requires a Fayette County Youth Deer Permit. East Fork Management Unit - requires a Clinton County Youth Deer Permit.
East Fork Management unit - Clinton County. Regular Firearm and Muzzleloader deer seasons - requires a site specific deer permit from the deer permit office - select site on the application. Note - East Fork Management Unit is open for full season archery.
East Fork Management unit - Clinton County - requires a site-specific Spring shotgun turkey permit from the permit office - select site on the application.
Windshield cards are required for this species. These are available online at:
dnr2.illinois.gov/Windshieldcard. Hunters will be required to return to this website prior to February 15th each year to record harvest information. Failure to submit data will result in loss of hunting privileges for the following year.
.22 caliber, or less, rimfire rifle allowed. Shotgun with slugs are allowed for coyote hunting during firearm season if a hunter possesses an unfilled firearm deer permit.
TEMPORARY BLINDS AND STANDS ONLY (tree stands must be removed at the end of each day’s hunting).
NO CAMPING IS ALLOWED ON THE SITE.
