Pekin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
๐๐๐๐ Illinois River Gem โ Backwater lake on the Illinois River near Pekin โ exceptional crappie fishing in a historic river town
Pekin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area protects a backwater lake on the Illinois River near the historic river town of Pekin. Pekin was named in 1829 based on the popular belief that it was the antipodal point to Peking (Beijing), China โ meaning if you dug straight through the Earth, you’d come out in Beijing. (The actual antipodal point is in the Indian Ocean.) The Illinois River at Pekin supports excellent crappie, catfish, and sauger fishing in the river’s backwater lakes and channels.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Pekin, Tazewell County, IL |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Town | Named for Beijing โ “dig through Earth”! |
| Fish | Crappie, catfish, sauger! |
About Pekin Lake
Pekin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Tazewell County protects a 1,300-acre backwater lake and surrounding wetlands along the Illinois River near Pekin. The lake is a critical stopover for migratory waterfowl on the Mississippi Flyway. American white pelicans โ massive birds with 9-foot wingspans โ have become regular visitors in recent years.
Things to Do
Birdwatching (white pelicans, bald eagles, thousands of migrating waterfowl), waterfowl hunting (seasonal), fishing, and wildlife photography. Spring and fall migrations bring spectacular concentrations of birds.
Insider Tips
Illinois River backwater: Pekin Lake is an Illinois River backwater lake โ these oxbow and side-channel lakes are critical habitat for fish spawning and waterfowl. Pro tip: Backwater lakes produce excellent largemouth bass and crappie fishing โ the vegetation-rich waters provide cover and food. Pekin history: Pekin, Illinois was named after Beijing, China (Peking) โ a common 19th-century American fascination with exotic place names.
Best Time to Visit
Spring: Crappie spawn in the backwater. Summer: Bass fishing in vegetation. Fall: Waterfowl staging. Winter: Duck hunting and eagle watching.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a backwater lake?
Backwater lakes are connected to a main river but have little current โ formed when river bends are cut off or side channels pool. They’re biologically rich โ warm, shallow, vegetation-filled waters support fish spawning, amphibian breeding, and waterfowl nesting. Illinois River backwaters are some of the state’s most productive wildlife habitats.
Wildlife & Nature
Pekin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Tazewell County provides managed waterfowl habitat in the Illinois River floodplain. The area’s backwater lakes and managed wetlands are part of the Illinois River corridor โ historically one of the most important waterfowl migration routes in North America. The Illinois River valley once supported the largest concentration of wintering waterfowl in the interior United States. While habitat loss has reduced these numbers, managed areas like Pekin Lake maintain critical stopover habitat. Mallards, blue-winged teal, and wood ducks are the most common breeding ducks. Migrating shorebirds use exposed mudflats during late summer. Great egrets, great blue herons, and green herons fish the shallows. Bald eagles perch in riverside trees.
Nearby Attractions
Pekin โ the Tazewell County seat โ has Mineral Springs Park. Peoria โ Illinois’ oldest city โ offers the Peoria Riverfront Museum and Caterpillar Visitors Center. Powerton Lake provides warm-water fishing. Spring Lake SFWA offers additional recreation. Fort Crรจve Cลur State Historic Site preserves La Salle’s 1680 fort site. Jubilee College State Park has 3,200 acres of forest. Wildlife Prairie Park features native Illinois wildlife.
๐ฃ Visit Pekin Lake SFWA
Illinois River backwater โ crappie haven near the “Beijing” of Illinois!
Park Location
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