Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

In this series we examine Illinois state sites benefiting from sportsmen’s contributions through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson or PR) program. One of the largest, and longest running, projects is the Statewide Public Lands Wildlife Habitat Development Project (W-76-D), designed to create wildlife habitat on public lands, provide facility access and recreation opportunities, and establish wildlife management demonstration areas for Illinois citizens.

Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area came into existence in 1986 as a result of a long-term lease agreement between the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Ameren Energy Generating Company.

Subsequent land purchases have expanded the property and greatly enhanced wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities.

“In 2004, IDNR acquired 180.5 acres from the Arthur L. Theis family,” explained Kent Boyles, IDNR District Wildlife Biologist. “This acquisition allowed the expansion of hunting programs, and revenue from nearly 81 acres of agricultural land has been assisting in habitat developments and enhancements.”

On this property IDNR has implemented a small-scale managed dove hunting program which includes annual crop rotations of sunflowers and winter wheat.

The second major land acquisition occurred in 2006 and was funded partially with State Wildlife Grant—the fund’s first land acquisition expenditure—and Illinois Habitat Fund monies, with additional financing from Pheasants Forever and a grant obtained from the Clean Energy Foundation.

“The Donald L. Cranfill Trust lands were acquired to enhance habitat for shrubland wildlife,” remarked Boyles. “Shrubland habitat in Illinois, and its associated wildlife, has significantly declined over the past three decades. Managing this property for its shrubland values will improve the connectivity between patches of shrubland in the area and provide critical core wintering areas for wildlife.”

As the site develops it will provide limited, high-quality hunting opportunities for bobwhite quail and cottontail rabbits, as well as opportunities for wildlife watching and photography.

Available Game Species

Species available are white-tailed deer, squirrel, wild turkey, bobwhite quail, ring-necked pheasant, rabbit, coyote, dove and waterfowl; furbearer trapping.

Hunter Fact Sheet

www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/FactSheets/Pages/CoffeenLakeStateFishAndWildlifeArea.aspx

About the Site

15084 N. 4th Avenue, Coffeen, IL 62017

(217) 537-3351

County: Montgomery

Website: www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/CoffeenLake.aspx

GPS Coordinates: N: 39.057 W: -89.414

Directions: Coffeen Lake SFWA can be accessed from I-70, traveling about 20 miles north from Vandalia on Illinois Route 185. Or, from I-55, exit at Litchfield and travel east on Illinois Route 16 to Hillsboro where you take Illinois Route 185 south (total of 17 miles).

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Kathy Andrews Wright is retired from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources where she was editor of Outdoor Illinois magazine. She is currently the editor of Outdoor Illinois Wildlife Journal and Illinois Audubon magazine.