Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is an Illinois state park on 2247 acre in Fulton County, Illinois, United States. A small part at the southern end extends into Schuyler County. Anderson Lake is located in the area.

Natural features
This west floodplain lake receives overflow waters from the Illinois River. The Anderson lake has a surface area of 1,134 acre with an average depth of 4 ft and a maximum depth of 6 ft with 9.1 mi shore is surrounded by bottomland forest.

A levee constructed in 1980 separates Anderson Lake from Carlson Lake, a smaller 231 acre lake to the south that serves as a waterfowl refuge area. Carlson Lake is drained in the spring to plant food for ducks, then flooded in the fall during migration season to attract waterfowl.

Flora
The site is primarily bottomland forest. Tree species include: silver maple, cottonwood, black willow, tulip poplar, black walnut, red maple, and American sycamore.

Fauna
Bird species include: mallard, wood duck, bald eagles, American white pelicans, American robin, cedar waxwing, chipping sparrow, osprey, red-tailed hawks, and purple martins.

History
Anderson Lake SFWA was once a private duck-hunting club. The Anderson Lake and adjacent Carlson Lake area were purchased by the state in 1947, managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

Recreation
Anderson Lake has boat docks and two public boat ramps. Tent and trailer camping is available at Class C sites. Two picnic shelters and picnic tables are available. Hunting is permitted on 1900 acre for waterfowl, doves, deer, rabbit, quail, and squirrel.