Anderson Lake State Wildlife Area

647 N. State Hwy. 100, Astoria, IL 61501

Anderson Lake is a floodplain lake that frequently receives overflow waters from the Illinois River. The lake has 1,134 surface acres with a maximum depth of six feet and an average depth of four feet. Carlson Lake is a waterfowl management area of 230 surface acres, with a maximum depth of five feet and an average depth of three feet. This area is drained in early summer, planted to feed duck and flooded in the fall to attract waterfowl to the area. The area is a picturesque bottomland setting with timber species dominated by silver maple, cottonwood and willow. Plant growth is lush and the timber tends to be tall. A variety of waterfowl abounds in the area. For bird enthusiasts, large numbers of bald eagles can be seen in the winter months and white pelicans viewed during the spring on their migration north.