Hunting, Fishing and Shooting

Hunting and fishing opportunities are abundant on the Shawnee National Forest. The Shawnee National Forest, USDA Forest Service is the largest public landowner in the state. This fact, combined with its diversity of habitats, offers sports enthusiasts a range of hunting opportunities. Each year thousands of hunters are attracted to the forest to hunt everything from trophy bucks to upland game and waterfowl. Private land is interspersed with federal and state land. It is the hunter’s responsibility to make sure they are on public land.

Fishing opportunities within the Shawnee National Forest (Forest) are numerous. There are 11 lakes and 52 ponds and about a dozen of these ponds are actively managed. By actively managing these waterbodies the angler’s fishing experience is greatly improved. Active management includes erosion control to reduce sedimentation and improve water quality, control and removal of nuisance vegetation by water level manipulation and mechanical removal, maintain the stability of the dams through the removal of woody vegetation and submerging structures to provide habitat for fish and other aquatic life. These actions improve fish habitat and quality, but also improve access to the lake/pond and clear areas along the bank for fishing. Other improvements that have been made include creating parking areas, placing signs to identify pond locations and stocking with native species.

The State of Illinois sets hunting seasons and regulations for both fishing and hunting. These rules are applicable to Shawnee National Forest lands. Maps showing national forest land ownership are available for purchase at Shawnee National Forest offices.

Lake and Pond Fishing

Whether you are alone or with friends and family, one of the best places to take in the sights and sounds of the Shawnee National Forest is along the bank of a pond or lake.

Fishing Regulations

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) set the state fishing regulations. While fishing in the Shawnee National Forest all anglers are required to follow State Fishing Guidelines and to obtain a state fishing license if applicable.

Access

Larger lakes such as Cedar Lake, Kinkaid Lake, Lake Glendale and One Horse Gap Lake all accommodate truck and trailers. Many of the remaining lakes and even some ponds have small gravel parking lots with access by gravel roads. Most of the small ponds have walk-in access only.

Fishing Resources

Hunting

Much of the Shawnee National Forest is managed for wildlife habitat as part of its multiple use management program. Mowing, disking or burning maintains wildlife openings. These openings produce more of the “edge effect”, supplying food in the openings and shelter in the woods. Roads leading to openings and waterholes are maintained to provide hunter access. Private croplands are interspersed with forested and shrub-covered areas on federal lands.

Hunting activities are prohibited in or within 150 yards of any building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, pursuant to 36 CFR 261.10 (d).
All firearms and bows with arrows should be cased and unloaded while in a recreation area or other
public areas.
Construction of or use of permanent deer stands is not permitted on national forest lands. [Pursuant to
36 CFR 261.58 (v)]
Use of motorized vehicles off Forest development roads is prohibited within the Shawnee National Forest, pursuant to 36 CFR 261.56.
Dispersed camping is allowed ¼ mile outside developed campgrounds or developed picnic grounds pursuant to 36 CFR 261.58 (e).
Proper safety precautions should be adhered to as outlined in the IDNR hunting digest (i.e., blaze orange clothing, etc.)
Practice the Leave No Trace principles. To learn more visit www.LNT.org.

Hunting Regulations

To hunt deer or turkey, hunters must obtain, from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, a deer or turkey permit in advance. Most hunting licenses and permits can be purchased on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.

Refer to the Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations guide for specific information on hunting seasons and regulations. This free guide is available at any Illinois state park office or by contacting the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources, 217-782-6384.

To hunt on the Shawnee National Forest you must have a valid Illinois hunting license. If hunting migratory waterfowl, hunters must have a federal and state migratory waterfowl stamp, which are usually available where you buy a hunting license.