🌤 Weather at Marseilles State Fish and Wildlife Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27–73 °F | 58–84 °F | 30–77 °F | 14–37 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Marseilles Lock, 2 mi away, elevation 490 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Access rules checked against the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Hunt Illinois, October 2026
Marseilles State Fish and Wildlife Area is a restricted-access hunting area in LaSalle County, Illinois, managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). It is not a state park, and it is not open for general visits: the site is closed to the public except for approved hunting programs. The Illinois National Guard also trains here.
The IDNR describes the land as predominantly wooded with fairly rugged terrain used for hunting programs, about 30 minutes from Starved Rock. Hunt Illinois, the IDNR hunting site, lists 2,239 huntable acres. The IDNR and Hunt Illinois pages for Marseilles describe hunting programs only. They do not mention fishing, boating, camping or other day use.
Marseilles State Fish and Wildlife Area at a glance
| Managed by | Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR region: Northwestern Illinois) |
| Access | Restricted access site, closed to the public except for approved hunting programs |
| Military use | The Illinois National Guard has jurisdictional use from February through October and at other times |
| Location | LaSalle County, about 30 minutes from Starved Rock |
| Address | 2660 E. 2350th Rd., Marseilles, IL 61341 |
| Huntable acres | 2,239 |
| Terrain | Predominantly wooded, fairly rugged; habitat work including prescribed burning throughout the year |
| Site office | 815-795-2448 (Hunt Illinois) |
Who may enter, and when
These rules come from Hunt Illinois and apply as of October 2026:
- You may only be on the site with a valid hunting permit and only during posted hunting program hours. Anyone found in a Restricted Area for any reason will be ticketed. For spring turkey, Hunt Illinois adds that scouting outside posted hours is also forbidden.
- The Illinois National Guard has jurisdictional use of the site from February through October and at other times. Heightened security can close hunting programs with little or no notice. Closures are posted at the site, on the IDNR website and in press releases.
- Because of Guard training, the site is closed to hunting on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from September 1 to October 31 each year.
- There is no interior vehicle access for the public. Park only in designated parking areas; vehicles parked elsewhere may be cited or towed at the owner’s expense.
- All hunting closes on the first Thursday after January 10.
Military training and munitions
Hunt Illinois warns that munitions such as ammunition, bombs or grenades may be lost or dropped during Guard training. If you find munitions, do not touch them. Mark the spot safely if you can and report it to local authorities right away. The warning links to the U.S. Department of Defense page on munitions safety.
Hunting programs
Statewide regulations apply unless the site rules below say otherwise. As of October 2026, Hunt Illinois lists:
| Program | Site rules |
|---|---|
| Archery deer | Check in, check out and report harvest at the self-check stations in the parking lots. Closed during firearm, muzzleloader and special CWD deer seasons, and on Fridays to Sundays from October 1 to 31. |
| Firearm and muzzleloader deer | Site-specific permit through the statewide lottery. Check in by 5 am at the manned check station at Gate 60, where you leave a valid photo ID (not your driver’s license) and your Illinois hunting license. Standby permits are drawn at 5 am: valid for Marseilles only, for that day only, $5 each. Firearm hunting in the first and second season only. |
| Special CWD deer | Only during the first four-day segment of the special CWD season; self-check in the parking lots. |
| Turkey | Fall archery with self-check, closed Fridays to Sundays in October and during the firearm, muzzleloader and CWD deer hunts. Spring turkey needs a site-specific permit from the Springfield permit office; Monday to Thursday only, from half an hour before sunrise until 8:30 am, off the site by 9 am. |
| Dove, rabbit, squirrel, pheasant and quail | Sign in and out at the parking lot self-check stations; closed during firearm deer seasons. Shot size limits apply. |
| Coyote | November 5 to the first Thursday after January 10, closed during site firearm deer seasons. No dogs. |
| Not available | Waterfowl, trapping, woodcock, youth firearm deer, late-winter antlerless deer, fall shotgun turkey, youth spring turkey |
During firearm, muzzleloader and special CWD deer seasons, every hunter must wear a blaze orange cap and upper garment of at least 400 square inches. Driving deer is unlawful. One portable stand per permit holder may stay out unattended from October 1 to the first Thursday after January 10, tagged with your name, address and phone number. Read the full rules and download the maps on the Hunt Illinois page for Marseilles before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Marseilles State Fish and Wildlife Area without a hunting permit?
No. The site is closed to the public except for approved hunting programs. Hunt Illinois states that anyone found in a Restricted Area for any reason will be ticketed.
Is Marseilles State Fish and Wildlife Area a state park?
No. It is a fish and wildlife area of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, used for hunting programs and for Illinois National Guard training.
When is the area closed?
All hunting closes on the first Thursday after January 10. From September 1 to October 31, the site is closed to hunting every Friday, Saturday and Sunday because of Guard training. More closures can come at short notice.
Explore More Parks in Illinois
For places you can visit without a hunting permit, see our Best State Parks in Illinois guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Why this page changed
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this page described Marseilles as a place for fishing, boating and birdwatching on the Illinois River, with free entry and the history of the Illinois & Michigan Canal and the town of Marseilles. According to the Illinois DNR, the site is a restricted-access hunting area that the Illinois National Guard also uses for training. We replaced the text in October 2026.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Illini State Park (a short drive away) and LaSalle Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area (a short drive away).
Park Map
Plan your gear for Marseilles State Fish and Wildlife Area
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
