Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area (Waterfowl)

Location: Woodford County; Headquarters located 5.5 miles north of Spring Bay on State Rt. 26, or 12 miles south of Lacon, IL off State Rt. 26, or 12 miles south of Lacon, Illinois off State Rt. 26.

Description: Waterfowl hunting is permitted on two backwater lakes of the Illinois River: Goose Lake and the northern part of Upper Peoria Lake, and at the Forest Wetland Management Unit. Total area: 8,500 acres -- 1,200 acres for waterfowl hunting; 7,300 acres set aside as waterfowl refuge. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.

Available Species:

Regular Waterfowl and Youth Waterfowl:

1. All statewide regulations apply, unless there are more restrictive site-specific regulations.

2. Waterfowl hunting sites are awarded by annual draw.

3. All hunters using this area must report to check station to fill out information cards.

4. Awarded blind builders desiring to claim their blinds must report to the check station at least one (1) hour before opening shooting hour each day. Blinds not claimed by annual blind builders at this hour will be assigned by draw. Hunters missing this drawing will have a thirty-minute grace period from the draw time to claim any unclaimed blind. A second standby drawing will be held from 8 to 11:00 am, after which time the waterfowl area is closed to further entry.

5. All hunting will be from registered blinds and hunters must occupy blinds within one (1) hour after registering.

6. Upon vacating a blind, hunters must report to check station within one (1) hour to sign out and report any harvested waterfowl.

7. All parties must hunt over a minimum of twelve (12) decoys, which must be removed upon termination of hunt.

8. At no time are hunters permitted to enter designated waterfowl refuges or rest areas.

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

10. No more than four (4) persons shall occupy a blind at one time.

Seasons Before and After Youth and Regular Waterfowl:

1. All Statewide regulations apply, unless there are more restrictive site-specific regulations.

2. Hunting from a completed blind or staked site is waived during seasons held before the regular duck season or for seasons held after th​​e regular Canada goose season.

3. Hunters must obtain a windshield card online from https://dnr2.illinois.gov/Windshieldcard/. This windshield card must be visible in your windshield and the pocket card portion in your possession while hunting at the site. Hunters must report their annual harvest online (even if you did not hunt) by February 15th. Hunters shall forfeit hunting privileges at the site for the following year if they fail to report by the prescribed deadline.

1. Forest Wetland Unit will be hunted on Wednesdays and Saturdays: Drawing will be held an hour before shooting time (1-1/2 hours before sunrise).

2. Hunting parties will be determined by Daily Drawing. Youth and disabled hunters must be able to provide a P2, P2a, H2, H2a or disabled veterans card as proof of disability to have priority in the draw.

3. No more than 4 (four) persons per hunting party. Hunting groups must stay together and hunt over a minimum of 12 decoys.

4. Hunting will end at 1:00 pm and check-out by 2:00 pm at the sign-out box located at the check station.

5. Hunting parties must stay in their designated hunting areas determined by that morning's drawing.

6. No unauthorized vehicles are allowed in the forest wetland unit​

Other Facilities Available: Camping, Picnicking, Hiking, and Fishing. See Main Area Fact Sheet for upland hunting information.​