Donnelley/DePue State Park, an Illinois State Park located nearby La Salle, Peru and Princeton

DONNELLEY/DEPUE STATE PARK

DONNELLEY/DEPUE STATE PARK
1001 W. 4th St.
DePue, Illinois 61322

Phone: 815-447-2353
Email:

The Donnelley/DePue State Fish and Wildlife Areas complex is managed primarily for migratory waterfowl. Frank C. Bellrose, world-renown waterfowl expert, has designated this Great Bend as the entry point to the lower Illinois River valley, an important North American waterfowl migration corridor.

The Donnelley/DePue complex is home to a $1 million State Duck Stamp Project, which was funded through State Duck Stamp dollars, State of Illinois Capital Development Board funds and Ducks Unlimited M.A.R.S.H. contributions. This project greatly increases the complex's ability to provide significant sanctuary with dependable food resources as well as increased services to the high hunting demands of northern Illinois.

The state wildlife areas established here contain a variety of wetland habitats that have always been critical to migratory waterfowl. Consequently, much of the 3,015-acre complex is managed for waterfowl feeding, nesting, resting, harvesting and viewing.

Nature of the Area

In 1982, Windblown Bottoms Duck Club, containing Coleman Lake, came under state management through the gifts and efforts of Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley.

Located in Putnam County, 2 miles north of Hennepin on Putnam County Highway 1, Donnelley Wildlife Area is open to the public during waterfowl season and open to school and study groups by appointment. Most of the year it is managed primarily for wildlife needs, and is therefore closed to public use.

Depue State Fish Wildlife Area:

Lake DePue and Spring Lake in Bureau County have rich histories of commercial hunting and fishing, attesting to the wildlife bounty of the area.

The DePue Rod and Gun Club was organized in the early 1900s, and it was not long before the hunting reputation of the area attracted members from around Illinois. When the state acquired the property in 1970, the clubhouse gun racks still carried well-known names of some past governors and influential businessmen.

Over the years the state has added several properties, bringing the backwater lakes and wetlands to 2,350 acres available for waterfowl needs and water-based recreation. The village of DePue offers access to Lake DePue. DePue and Spring lakes are accessible from the Illinois River, depending on the river levels.

Hiking, photography and nature study attract visitors to nearby Miller-Anderson Woods Nature Preserve.

Two of the state areas in Putnam County are managed by the Putnam County Conservation District. Hiking and equestrian trails are available at Fox Run, while George S. Memorial Park is restricted to nature study.

Area Accommodations

Kishauwau on the Vermilion - Tonica, IL

Cottages and Cabins

Formerly a popular Boy Scout camp in the shadow of Starved Rock State Park. Rental luxury cottages for weekend, weeknight, and all-week getaways. Pet-friendly cabins with full kitchens, local shopping and dining, and secluded living await you for your anniversary, family reunion, honeymoon, or other special occasion.

Web Site: http://www.kishauwau.com

Carroll County Tourism - Carroll County, IL

Hotels/Motels

You will feel right at home when you reach Carroll County, our corner of beautiful Northwest Illinois. The magnificent Mississippi River and outdoor spaces will refresh your spirit and touch our soul.

Web Site: http://www.gocarrollcounty.com

Hormel Landing:

Located adjacent to the village of Bureau Junction in Bureau County, Hormel Landing offers a pleasant location for family outings.

Originally, the Hormel Co. had built three impoundments as processing ponds for a meat-packing plant. When Hormel selected a different plant site, the land and ponds were transferred to the state.

The ponds are nestled in a secluded basin surrounded by wooden bluffs, marshland, the Hennepin Canal and a bottomland woods that beavers have flooded. The setting is relaxing and invites one to explore its diversity.

A state fish-stocking program supplements the ponds' natural restocking that results whenever the Illinois River exceeds its banks.

The entrance and upper level playground area are jointly cared for and developed by the Bureau United Men's Society and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.Miller-Anderson Woods:

Along Route 29, at the Bureau-Putnam County border, wooded bluffs rise above the broad Illinois River valley to create Miller-Anderson Woods Nature Preserve. The preserve protects old-growth upland forest, ravines, valley forest and a floating bog.

A narrow, ribbon-marked, moderately difficult trail guides one through the woodland variety which displays endangered plants and Ohio buckeye in its most northern range.

Once on top and near the bluff's edge, one is treated to a panoramic view of some of the Illinois River valley's richest wetlands. Very often seen riding the air currents are turkey vultures and, occasionally, bald eagles.

Much of the preserve was donated to the state and dedicated to Dorothy Anderson in 1969. Groups of 25 or more need advance, written permission to enter this protected area.