🌤 Weather at Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27–72 °F | 59–84 °F | 29–77 °F | 14–36 °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 Dwight, 10 mi away, elevation 628 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🌲 Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area — A state fish and wildlife area complex in Grundy and Will counties, Illinois, built around more than 200 water impoundments and Braidwood Lake for fishing and waterfowl.
Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area is located in Grundy County, Illinois. The park’s coordinates are 41.1975, -88.2708. Illinois DNR lists fishing and waterfowl hunting as its main uses.
Mazonia State Fish and Wildlife Area features 1,017 acres, 3 miles southeast of Braidwood on Illinois Route 53 and Huston Road. Braidwood Lake Fish and Wildlife Area, which includes the partially perched cooling lake for the Braidwood Generating Station, covers 2,640 acres in Will County, south of Braidwood off Illinois Route 53.
The site includes more than 200 water impoundments ranging from 3/4 to 30 acres. IDNR says several surface mined pits were flooded within Braidwood Lake, and it manages the surface-mined lakes at Mazonia for sport fishing. IDNR also lists 700 acres of grassland, brushy draws and limited woodland cover as wildlife habitat. Facilities are minimal.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | IL Route 53 & Huston Rd., Braceville, IL 60407 (Grundy County; Braidwood Lake is in Will County) |
| Size | Mazonia, 1,017 acres; Braidwood Lake, 2,640 acres (IDNR) |
| Facilities | Minimal; vault toilets throughout the park, boat ramps (including the North, South, Cemetery and Kankakee ramps), park office with accessible parking |
| Camping | None listed by Illinois DNR |
| Entrance fee | Free |
| Phone | 815-237-0063 |
Things to Do
- Fish the impoundments for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, green sunfish, crappie, channel catfish and bullhead from the bank or a boat. Illinois DNR lists Bufflehead Lake Blind #2 as an accessible wooden fishing pier.
- Hunt waterfowl; Mazonia is managed primarily for sport fish and waterfowl, and Braidwood Lake is also a waterfowl refuge. Upland game hunting and furbearer trapping are listed as well, subject to site regulations.
- Look for fossils: IDNR says Mazonia is well known for Pennsylvanian age fossils, and collecting is by day permit only, from March 1 to September 30.
- Go nature study or birding, picnic on a limited basis, or train water dogs, all of which IDNR lists as other opportunities.
- Launch a boat on Braidwood Lake, where IDNR lists a 40 MPH maximum speed outside designated no wake and hazard areas.
History
IDNR says Braidwood Lake, owned by Commonwealth Edison, was impounded in 1980-81 with water pumped from the Kankakee River. Several surface mined pits were flooded within the lake. The lake was a semi-private area used by Com Ed employees until the fall of 1981, when the Illinois Department of Conservation (now the IDNR) acquired a long-term lease for general public access.
The Mazonia South Unit was purchased by DNR from Commonwealth Edison in 1999, the first acquisition under the Open Land Trust program. Its land was formerly surface mined and now holds four large lakes and 10 smaller water impoundments.
Visitor Tips
- Fishing and hunting are permitted on a seasonal basis and are subject to site regulations. Illinois DNR lists fishing as closing 10 days before the Central Zone waterfowl season and reopening when the central duck season ends.
- A day permit is required to collect fossils and is available from the park office or website. Collecting for commercial purposes is prohibited.
- Braidwood Lake can become very dangerous. A wind warning flag system stands at the Cemetery Boat Ramp and the Kankakee Boat Ramp, and the lake closes with 30 MPH winds.
- Boats under 14 feet are not recommended on Braidwood Lake, and a working gasoline engine is required as the main propulsion unit.
- To reserve the accessible waterfowl blind on Goose Lake (blind #8), call the park office at 815-237-0063 at least 48 hours ahead.
- Service animals are welcome, but there are no outdoor water fountains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can I catch at Mazonia-Braidwood?
Illinois DNR lists largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, green sunfish, crappie, channel catfish and bullhead.
Can I collect fossils here?
Illinois DNR lists the fossil season as March 1 to September 30, with a day permit from the park office or website. Excavation and collecting for commercial purposes are prohibited.
Can I camp at Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area?
Illinois DNR lists no camping here, and describes the facilities as minimal.
Nearby Attractions
The closest parks and sites to Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area on this site are Heidecke Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area, Kankakee River State Park, Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail and William G. Stratton State Park.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Heidecke Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area (a short drive away) and Kankakee River State Park (a short drive away).
🌲 Visit Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area
Current status, alerts and directions from Illinois DNR.
Sources: Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) park pages; U.S. Census Bureau geocoder (county). As of October 2026.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in Illinois state parks and on trails as long as they are leashed at all times.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash required at all times; state code caps leash length at 10 feet
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are prohibited in areas posted 'NO PETS', reserved for beach areas, concession areas and crowded campground/picnic areas (e.g. no dogs on the beach at Illinois Beach State Park)
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed in campground cabins
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Leash rule exceptions for hunting dogs, field trials and dog training areas; pets must not be left unattended
Are dogs allowed at Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area?
Pets are allowed in Illinois state parks and on trails as long as they are leashed at all times. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via dnr.illinois.gov. More: Illinois state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
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