Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish & Wildlife Area, an Illinois located nearby Channahon, Morris and Wilmington

MAZONIA-BRAIDWOOD STATE FISH & WILDLIFE AREA

MAZONIA-BRAIDWOOD STATE FISH & WILDLIFE AREA
P.O. Box 126
Braceville, Illinois 60407

Phone: 815-237-0063
Email:

Mazonia State Fish and Wildlife Area consists of 1,017 acres and is located in Grundy County 3 miles southeast of Braidwood on Illinois Route 53 and Huston Road.

Nature of the Area

Braidwood Lake Fish and Wildlife Area consists of 2,640 acres and is located in Will County south of Braidwood off Illinois Route 53.

History of the Area

Braidwood Lake, owned by Commonwealth Edison, is a partially perched, cooling lake. Braidwood Lake was constructed in the late 1970s and impounded in 1980-81 with water pumped from the Kankakee River. Several surface mined pits were flooded within the lake, so fisheries management actually began in 1978, before the lake existed. The lake was considered a semi-private area used by employees of Com Ed till the fall of 1981 when the Department of Conservation (now the Department of Natural Resources) acquired a long term lease agreement from Com Ed which allowed for general public access. Braidwood Lake currently is used for fishing, waterfowl hunting, fossil hunting by permit and as a waterfowl refuge.

Area Accommodations

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

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

Boating

Braidwood Lake can become very dangerous. Special precautions should be utilized. A wind warning system is in place by a flagpole located at the Cemetery Boat Ramp and the Kankakee Boat Ramp. The flag system displays predicted weather conditions for that day. Different colored flags will be raised to depict the weather conditions. The lake will be closed with 25 m.p.h. winds.

Boats with a minimum length of 14' are recommended. Motor size is unlimited but a 40 m.p.h. speed limit is strictly enforced.

Mazonia is managed primarily for sport fish and waterfowl. Its purpose is to provide a quality sport fishery within the surface-mined lakes through habitat enhancement and supplemental stockings which, in turn, will provide the public quality bank and boat sport fishing opportunities. The site also will provide quality mid-migration and resident waterfowl habitat, including food, water and sanctuary components which, in turn, will provide the public a quality waterfowl hunting opportunity.

The area also will be managed for other resident or migratory game and non-game fish and wildlife species, particularly those listed as threatened or endangered.

Although Mazonia features sport fishing and waterfowl hunting, a variety of other outdoor recreational opportunities are provided throughout the year. Upland game hunting, furbearer trapping, limited picnicking, nature study/birding, fossil hunting, and water dog training is also available.