Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area
| Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area | |
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IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
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 Map of the U.S. state of Illinois showing the location of Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area
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| Location | Will County, Illinois, USA |
| Nearest city | Wilmington |
| Coordinates | 41°23′36″N 88°12′36″W / 41.39333°N 88.21000°WCoordinates: 41°23′36″N 88°12′36″W / 41.39333°N 88.21000°W |
| Area | 5,000 acres (2,023 ha) |
| Established | 1948 |
| Governing body | Illinois Department of Natural Resources |
Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area is an Illinois state park on 5,000 acres (2,023 ha) in Will County, Illinois, United States. It is located on floodplain adjacent to the confluence of the Des Plaines River (after which this park was named) and the Kankakee River to form the Illinois River.
Prior to 1948 what is now called the Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area was owned by the federal government. The Illinois Department of Conservation acquired the site in 1948 and established its use as a recreation area. Additional land was accessed following the completion of Interstate 55 in the 1960s. From that time to 1975, the area was used primarily by hunters and unmanaged day use. The Division of Land Management took over the area in 1976 and since then, extensive upgrading of facilities has occurred. In recent years, more than 350,000 people annually visit Des Plaines—an area of over 5,000 acres, with approximately 200 acres of water.
A restful break from hunting, fishing or hiking can be a special event. Picnickers can choose to lunch along the Kankakee River or under the large shelter on the banks of Milliken Lake. Both sites provide tables, stoves and water along with cooling shade trees and picturesque views. A playground area is also provided at the Milliken Lake site.
Open water and ice fishing are popular events as well, and productive! Milliken Lake, as well as several ponds and the river backwaters, provide panfish, catfish, and bass fishing. Milliken Lake is stocked with catchable trout in the spring. The Kankakee River borders the site on the south with 3 miles of shoreline providing access to boating enthusiasts and excellent walleye and northern pike fishing.
Camping area closed indefinitely effective 3/2010 due to lack of funding.
Designated camping areas were available for those wishing to stay overnight at the site. These were Class C (vehicular access, no showers) areas with graveled pads, water and pit toilets. The campground was open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, from mid-April (weather permitting) to mid-October, closed the rest of the year.
A public boat launch with 3 paved ramps is available on the Kankakee River for boating on the river or its backwaters. Motors are limited to 10 horsepower or less on the backwaters, but there are no limits on the Kankakee River. No boating is allowed on Milliken Lake.
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Wikipedia