Opening New Waters: Boat access improvements expand opportunities at southern Illinois outdoor destinations

Southern Illinois has long been known for its abundance of reclaimed surface mine lakes, secluded fishing waters, and unique opportunities for outdoor recreation. For years, however, one challenge has remained consistent across many public lands: access.

While dedicated anglers and paddlers have often been willing to carry a kayak down a steep bank or drag a small boat across rough ground to reach productive waters, those barriers can discourage families, beginning paddlers, older outdoorsmen and women, and individuals with mobility limitations.

Recent investments by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) are helping change that equation. New and improved boat access projects at Peabody-River King State Fish and Wildlife Area, Pyramid State Recreation Area, and Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area are making it easier than ever for visitors to enjoy fishing, paddling, wildlife watching and boating across some of southern Illinois’ most popular public lands.

The improvements represent more than simple construction projects. They are part of a broader effort to make outdoor recreation accessible to a wider audience while strengthening local tourism and encouraging healthy outdoor lifestyles.

Meeting a Growing Demand

Across Illinois, kayaking and canoeing have experienced tremendous growth during the past decade. Lightweight recreational kayaks, paddleboards and small fishing craft have introduced thousands of new participants to outdoor recreation.

Unlike traditional powerboat users, many paddlecraft users seek quiet waters, wildlife-viewing opportunities and uncrowded fishing spots. Southern Illinois’ reclaimed mine lakes are particularly attractive because they offer protected waters, excellent fishing, and scenic landscapes shaped by decades of natural recovery following mining operations.

IDNR has increasingly recognized the importance of creating access points that serve these users while also accommodating anglers with small boats and families seeking convenient entry to the water.

The state’s canoe and kayak access program highlights public launch locations throughout Illinois and identifies several southern Illinois sites where improved access is helping connect visitors to waterways and lakes.

Peabody-River King: Connecting anglers and paddlers to reclaimed waters

Located east of New Athens in St. Clair County, Peabody-River King State Fish and Wildlife Area offers a remarkable example of successful reclamation. Once operated as a surface coal mine, the site now contains more than 20 lakes and ponds covering approximately 534 acres of water.

The area has become a favorite destination for bass anglers, crappie fishermen and waterfowl hunters. According to IDNR, the site’s primary boat ramp provides access to several of the larger lakes, while smaller waters remain available to canoeists and anglers using compact watercraft.

Recent access improvements have focused on making launches safer and more convenient for a variety of users. Improved launch facilities benefit anglers towing small boats and provide easier access for kayaks and canoes.

The area’s connection to the Kaskaskia River further expands recreational opportunities. IDNR lists Peabody-River King among the state’s designated canoe and kayak access locations, providing paddlers with another option for exploring southern Illinois waterways.

For anglers who enjoy fishing less pressured waters, improved access means reaching productive lakes without the physical challenges that often accompany reclaimed mine properties. For paddlers, it creates opportunities to explore waters that were once difficult to launch from safely.

Pyramid State Recreation Area: Expanding access in Illinois’ largest State Recreation Area

Few public properties in Illinois rival the scale of Pyramid State Recreation Area. Covering nearly 20,000 acres, this Perry County property is the largest site managed by IDNR and contains more than 500 acres of water spread among numerous lakes and ponds.

Many of Pyramid’s lakes were created during mining operations decades ago. The resulting landscape features steep ridges, forested shorelines, and deep, clear waters that have become renowned among anglers pursuing largemouth bass, redear sunfish, crappie, muskie and catfish.

Historically, some of Pyramid’s best fishing waters required lengthy hikes or difficult carries for paddlers and small boat users. While many remote lakes continue to provide that backcountry experience, recent access projects are helping more visitors enjoy the area’s premier fisheries.

Improved boat ramps, launch areas and access routes make it easier for visitors to reach larger lakes while maintaining the site’s unique character. These projects also support growing interest in kayak fishing, one of the fastest-growing segments of the fishing community.

Outdoor enthusiasts frequently cite Pyramid as one of southern Illinois’ premier destinations for kayak anglers because many productive lakes remain protected from heavy boating pressure. Community discussions among Illinois anglers routinely mention the area’s accessibility and extensive opportunities for small-water fishing.

The combination of enhanced launch facilities and extensive water resources positions Pyramid as an increasingly important destination for both local residents and traveling outdoor enthusiasts.

Burning Star: A new chapter for outdoor recreation

Perhaps no southern Illinois property better illustrates the transformation of former industrial land into outdoor recreation opportunities than Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area near DeSoto.

Once an active coal mining operation, the Jackson County site now encompasses thousands of acres of habitat, including 24 lakes and ponds totaling more than 550 acres of water. IDNR’s long-term vision for the property includes boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, wildlife observation and numerous other recreational uses.

Several lakes already feature boat ramps, and regulations are designed to preserve the area’s quiet atmosphere through no-wake restrictions and limited motor operation.

Recent access improvements are helping unlock the recreational potential of these waters. Enhanced launch areas provide safer entry for small boats and paddlecraft while creating opportunities for visitors who may not have previously considered exploring the site’s lakes.

For beginning paddlers, Burning Star offers a particularly attractive setting. The calm waters and protected environment provide an excellent setting to build confidence while enjoying wildlife viewing and fishing.

As additional improvements are completed and more visitors discover the area, Burning Star is poised to become one of southern Illinois’ most important destinations for paddle sports and family-oriented outdoor recreation.

Accessibility Benefits Everyone

While discussions about access often focus on boat launches and ramps, the broader impact extends far beyond watercraft.

Accessible launch facilities benefit older anglers, families with young children, veterans, individuals recovering from injuries and anyone who may struggle with uneven terrain. Improved parking, smoother pathways and safer launch surfaces create a more welcoming experience for all visitors.

These improvements also support conservation by concentrating use in designated areas, reducing shoreline erosion and minimizing habitat disturbance.

Perhaps most importantly, better access helps introduce new participants to outdoor recreation. A family launching kayaks for the first time or a child catching a bluegill from a small boat today may become tomorrow’s conservation advocate.

Looking Ahead

Southern Illinois has never lacked exceptional outdoor resources. What has sometimes been lacking is easy access to those resources.

The ongoing improvements at Peabody-River King, Pyramid State Recreation Area and Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that public lands remain truly accessible to the public.

For anglers, paddlers, bird watchers, photographers and families seeking outdoor adventures, these projects open new possibilities. They also highlight the continuing success of land reclamation efforts that have transformed former mining landscapes into thriving recreational destinations.

As more visitors launch a kayak, fish from a small boat, or simply spend an afternoon exploring these waters, the benefits of improved access will be measured not only in visitor numbers but also in the memories created along the shores of southern Illinois’ remarkable public lakes.

Sources

• IDNR — Boat Access Area Development Program
• OutdoorIllinois Journal — Understanding the Finances of Conservation: Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson
• IDNR — Sustainability / SB1566 FAQ
  • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Sport Fish Restoration
  • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Wildlife Restoration
  • How We Pay to Play: Funding Outdoor Recreation on Public Lands in the 21st Century PERC