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Illinois
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Illinois State Parks

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Illinois
Western Region
Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area
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SNAKEDEN HOLLOW STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA
SNAKEDEN HOLLOW STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA
1936 State Rt 167 P.O. Box 295
Victoria, Illinois   61485

Phone: 309-879-2607
Email: park email button icon
Nature of the Area
Existing Resources:

The site contains 125 water impoundments totaling 400 acres. All lakes and ponds, except the 160-acre Snakeden Hollow Lake, were formed as the result of surface mining operations. The water areas currently contain largemouth and smallmouth bass, rainbow and brown trout, muskie, bluegill, redear sunfish, walleye, green sunfish, black crappie, channel catfish and bullhead.Good wildlife habitat provides a home to numerous species of mammals, birds and reptiles. A favorite nesting spot of giant Canada geese, the site has 2,100 acres of grassland, brushy draws, briers, shrubs, cropland and limited hardwood forest. The remaining 400 acres are in agricultural leases.

Site Management:

Snakeden Hollow is the only site in the state where the major management focus is to improve nesting cover, plus resting and feeding areas for the resident flock of giant Canada geese..Additional management activities are directed toward upland game, forest and waterfowl production, along with fish and furbearer production in order to allow activities such as hunting and fishing for the general public. Excellent hunting opportunities exist each fall and winter for Canada geese and dove hunting is said to be good. Importance is placed on the development of grassland habitat for non-game species through the establishment of warm season grasses, forest plantings and seasonal marshes.
History of the Area
Although the name Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area is rather intimidating, there are no more snakes here than in other areas of the state. Actually the site is the namesake of a small creek that ?snakes? its way through the property.

This 2,500-acre parcel was a surface mining site for coal from 1962 to 1970 and was considered by many to provide a wealth of opportunity for the development of fish and wildlife habitat. In 1987, the State of Illinois purchased the property from Midland Coal Company and began working with the Soil Conservation Service to mitigate any environmental concerns at the location. Today, Snakeden Hollow is truly a wildlife paradise.
Boating
Boats are restricted to a 10 HP Limit on the entire 160-acre Snakeden Hollow Lake. This is a ?NO WAKE AREA.? Only electric motors are allowed on all other lakes and ponds. Each year, from Oct. 1 through the close of the central Illinois quota zone goose season, the area is closed to all activity, with the exception of permit hunting.


Location
Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area is located near Galesburg, Kewanee


Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
July 2 our favorite spot to fish blue gills. by jeff stevens
park review stars; one to five love fishing here for blue gills just wish they would raise the crele limit. none the less my wife and i travel 1 hr. and ten mins. to get here.
May 29 We love this place by dasj4
park review stars; one to five My son and i go here all the time. in the big lake there are BIG muskie tho they are hard to catch. also the bass and other fish are eiaser
June 2 good fishin alota walkin by c.k.
park review stars; one to five if you dont mind walking and are a good patient fisherman then a good place. good walleye in mc. master. good bass in most lakes. from good eaters to good fighters. decent bluegills and nice redears.later in the summer the bass and gills hang off the moss in the deeps and on cool evenings come in shallow. crappie are nice and post spawners will be in the moss. alota nice 10 inchers. catfish at nights comn into the shallows.
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Area Campgrounds
Stonefort Campground
1960 Knox Road 1700 E
Victoria, IL
309-879-2682
Galesburg East Best Holiday Trav-L-Park
1081 US Highway 150 East
Knoxville, IL
309-289-2267
Area Accommodations (over 20 miles away)
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Hotels/Motels
Relax in the rustic beauty and comfort of Starved Rock Lodge, Cabins and Starved Rock Inn. The historic Lodge has 69 guest rooms, which include three bay-window rooms, plus cabins nestled in the woods. Fireplaces can be found in four of the eight sunset cabins near the pool area...
60.4 miles from park*
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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.
78.1 miles from park*
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Cottages and Cabins
Within a 10 minute drive from Starved Rock and even closer to Matthiessen State Parks you will find a gorgeous, tranquil property with spacious cabins on 50 wooded acres. All with full kitchens and outdoor fire pits. 3 dog friendly.
55.3 miles from park*
Nearby Hotels
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Illinois
62

Illinois State Parks

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