Spring Lake Fish and Wildlife Area Undergoing Major Rehabilitation and Road Improvement Project

by Blake Bushman, Thad Cook | August 3, 2026 | Land

A flat mostly dry wetland covered in lily pads fills a landscape scene. Trees fill a shoreline in the distance and create a horizon line. Overhead is a crystal clear bright blue sky. A gray map of the state of Illinois with the counties outlined in black overlaps the image in the top right corner. A white star highlights Tazewell County in middle, top of central Illinois.

All photos courtesy of Thad Cook.

Spring Lake Fish and Wildlife Area, approximately 25 miles southwest of Peoria in Tazewell County, sits along the east side of the Illinois River. The state first acquired 632 acres of land in 1950, and the site has since expanded to more than 2,000 acres.

Spring Lake is a unique natural feature that was originally formed by a meander of the Illinois River. Historical surveys dating back to 1840 identified the lake as an abandoned river channel, and ownership was later transferred to the State of Illinois. Nestled beneath a large sandstone bluff, the lake stretches nearly 8 miles through the Illinois River bottomlands. It derives its name from the many spring seeps that come out of the bluff from the Mahomet Aquifer.

Today, the original lake is divided into two sections: Spring Lake North (578 acres) and Spring Lake South (610 acres). Both lakes are relatively shallow, averaging about 3 feet in depth, and support extensive aquatic vegetation. The area is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, offering fishing, boating, waterfowl hunting, deer hunting, hiking and camping opportunities.

Major Improvement Project Begins

In June 2026, a large-scale, two-part improvement project began at Spring Lake Fish and Wildlife Area. The project includes significant road repairs throughout the park and a comprehensive rehabilitation of Spring Lake South.

A photo collage of two images arranged side-by-side. The image on the left is of a section of a road resurfaced in asphalt. Orange traffic cones are placed around the recently resurfaced area. The road extends into the background. A line of trees runs parallel to the road. A bright blue sky is overhead. The photo to the right shows a cut out where a bridge use to be connecting a road over a lake. A large excavator sits on the edge of the road to the left. In the background the road continues into the distance with a line of tree running parallel to the road.

Road Improvements

The road improvement portion of the project will focus on repairing and resurfacing roads throughout the site. Several parking lots and pull-off areas along South Lake Road will also be repaired, resurfaced and restriped, including updates to improve ADA accessibility. Additional improvements include:

Repairs to the North Lake causeway boat ramp parking lot
Resurfacing of the North Lake campground loop
Replacement of two bridges within the park

To allow construction to proceed safely and efficiently, the South Lake portion of the park will be closed during the project. The North Lake area will remain open to visitors.

South Lake Rehabilitation

A large excavator pulls a bucket of earth towards the shoreline of a lake. Trees fill the shoreline in the background. A bright blue sky is overhead.

The second phase of the project focuses on restoring the health and long-term quality of Spring Lake South. Rehabilitation efforts include:

Dewatering the lake
Conducting fish salvage operations
Dredging selected areas
Repairing water control structures
Refilling and restoring the lake

In May 2026, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) staff began removing boards from the lake’s water control structure to gradually lower water levels and begin the dewatering process. At the same time, IDNR issued a fish salvage declaration.

What Is a Fish Salvage Declaration?

A fish salvage declaration temporarily removes existing fish harvest regulations for anglers who hold a valid Illinois fishing license. This action is commonly taken when a fishery is expected to be lost due to construction, rehabilitation or other management activities.

The goal is to allow anglers to make full use of the fishery before the lake is drained.

In addition to public fishing opportunities, IDNR staff conduct fish salvage operations using standard sampling methods, including electrofishing boats. Fish collected during these efforts were transported and stocked into nearby public lakes and ponds to help preserve valuable fish populations.

Goals of the Rehabilitation Project

Three men stand next to a deep ditch that allows extra water to run-off from a lake. One of the men holds a shovel near the water flowing through the channel. In the background is the shoreline and lily pads filling. Trees are against a bright partly cloudy sky.

The Spring Lake South rehabilitation project is designed to improve both the lake’s habitat and its fishery for future generations.

Restoring Lake Depth and Habitat: Over time, sediment accumulation has reduced the lake’s depth. By draining the lake and allowing the lakebed to dry, the sediments will naturally compact, helping restore depth when the lake is refilled. Heavy equipment crews will also perform limited dredging along portions of the shoreline. The lake is expected to remain dewatered for approximately one year.
Rebuilding the Fish Population: Another major objective is to restart and strengthen the fish community within Spring Lake South. After rehabilitation is complete, the lake will be restocked with species that have historically supported popular fishing opportunities, including:
- Largemouth bass
- Bluegill
- Redear sunfish
- Crappie
- Channel catfish
- Northern pike

While fish stocking will begin after the lake is restored, it is expected to take approximately four to five years for the fishery to fully reestablish and reach its full recreational potential.

Looking Ahead

The Spring Lake rehabilitation and road improvement project represents a significant investment in one of central Illinois’ most important outdoor recreation areas. Although temporary closures and construction activities may impact visitors in the short term, the long-term benefits will include improved infrastructure, healthier aquatic habitat, and enhanced fishing and recreational opportunities for years to come.

A photo collage of two images arranged side-by-side. The image on the left is of a large red excavator parked along the edge of a road. In the background is a bridge over a lake. Trees cover a bluff in the distance. The photo to the right is of a construction crew of five individuals arriving at a bridge over a lake. The road up to the bridge is partially obscured by soil that is being moved into place. Large earth moving equipment is parked to the right. A skid steer and a red pickup truck are parked near the bridge. On either side of the bridge are trees filling the lake's shoreline. A bright blue sky is overhead.

Blake Bushman is an Illinois Department of Natural Resources District Fisheries Biologist covering Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, Putnam, Peoria, Fulton and McDonough counties. He has been with IDNR since 2014.

Thad Cook is the site superintendent at Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and all the satellite sites in Tazewell County. He started this position in 2019, with his natural resources career beginning in 1991 with the State Water Survey.