Pretty Birds, Ugly Birds and Fish With Teeth
Written: Mar 11 '07 (Updated Mar 12 '07)
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Pros: variety of birds and waterfowl, fishing
Cons: fish with teeth
The Bottom Line: If you're a bird-watcher or fisherman, you won't find a better place to be in Central Illinois.
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| cmaw63's Full Review: Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge |
Located between Buzzville & Goofy Ridge (Yeah, that's the real names) you'll find Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge. With 4388 acres of lakes, wetland and timber it's a bird-watcher and fishing enthusiasts playground. For birding, there is a dock out over the marshland with a free viewing telescope.
Birds & Waterfowl
Of all the winged visitors to Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge the most majestic & enjoyed is the Bald Eagle. There have been as many as 176 spotted during the time periods of October thru March. The most I have seen during a single visit is six. They are beautiful and larger than I've imagined from seeing pictures of them or in zoos. If you ever get the chance to see Bald Eagles in their natural habitat, don't pass it up!
Twenty-three species of waterfowl are known to use Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge. Swans, ducks and geese can be seen year round. During migration seasons as many as 250,000 have been on the lake at one time. The noise of all the waterfowl using the wetlands and lakes can be overpowering, yet amazing. I will suggest taking an umbrella, even during a sunny day. If something scares them or they just decide to take flight, with so many flying over you...chances are there are going to be some drops falling and it won't be rain. Swans grace the lake with their beauty, but will try to take a chunk out of you if you get too close. Visitors tend to get excited about their photo opportunities and don't realize that while they're taking pictures of one group of birds/waterfowl, they may be getting too close to another. I know better... but have had to help others grab their children and run.
There are many, many water, marsh and shore birds. It has been estimated that there are over 10,000 of these bird during migration. Dowitchers, great egrets, soras, blue herons, green herons and American bitterns are some of the many birds to be found. Of course, some are easier to find than others, but all are worth the time I have spent photographing them. Ok, except the coots. They are the ugliest birds I've ever seen...and there are lots of them at times.
Fishing
When going into Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge on the left, separated by a closed off road, is the protected lake/marshland for wildlife and waterfowl. The lake on the right is where you'll fish. There is one ramp to put your boat in the water. That may seem to present a problem...but we have, at the most, encountered 4 other boats on the lake. We have never had a wait to put in or take out our boat.
The brochure for Chautauqua NWR says that there are 54 species of fish in the lake. You can catch bluegill, crappie, black bass and catfish. What it doesn't tell you...one of those species is gar. The first time fishing here I had what I thought was a large catfish on the line. Once I got it close enough to the boat to see it I realized I was wrong! It was a two feet long, angry, teeth gnashing gar. It was definitely a "hubby end of the boat fish". Thankfully, hubby isn't as troubled by such fish as I am. We caught several more gar and while they are fun to fight...we had to keep putting new hooks on, because our steel leaders weren't thick enough to put up with as many teeth as we were catching. So, if you fish at Chautauqua NWR make sure you have the equipment to deal with teeth gnashing fish. We have caught many bluegill and catfish, though. The catfish we have caught have been in the 3 to 7 pound range.
You can bank fish, with the best spots being near the boat ramp. There are some sandy flat places, shaded by trees, that have easy access to them.
One warning about fishing at Chautauqua NWR...it is a large open lake, if the wind kicks up and you are in a smaller boat there are going to be some waves that give you problems. Please make sure you have your life jackets with you at all times and if the wind starts blowing you head to the ramp. The water is, supposedly, about 4 feet deep...but if the boat hits you or you hit one of the many tree stumps the life jacket can save your life.
Second warning: There are many dead trees on the north side of the lake. When you get close to that area, you will see signs warning you to keep out. It is a protected bald eagle area and if caught in the protected area you will be prosecuted.
Other Info
There are restrooms located at the first parking area when you pull in. They are, usually, clean when I have used them. There are two picnic tables situated among the trees for picnicking, too.
Directions: From Havana, IL - Go north on the Manito Blacktop for 9 miles. You will see a Chautauqua NWR sign, turn left. Follow that road (County Road 1950E) for one mile. The headquarters will be on the left. To fish/observe wildlife, continue on for another mile and the refuge will be on the left.
From Pekin, IL: Go south towards the Correctional Facility on Rt. 29. At the Correctional Facility turn right on to Manito Blacktop. Follow the Manito Blacktop for 20 miles, turn right when you see the Chautauqua NWR sign. That will be County Road 1950E. Continue one mile to the refuge headquarters or two miles to the refuge.
Love this Place
With all the "non-rain" falling and the teeth gnashing fish, you would think I might have a problem with this refuge. You would be wrong. I love the variety of birds and waterfowl I see here and the fishing is a blast. Teeth or no teeth, there are some big fish in the lake. At times my husband and I have had the entire place to ourselves...it was like we owned our own private lake.
Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge may be a little off the beaten path...but is worth the time it may take to get there. Luckily, for me, that time is 20 minutes!
Other Central Illinois Parks/Refuges
Argyle Lake State Park
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge
Powerton Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area
Spring Lake Fish & Wildlife Area
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Overview
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Epinions.com ID:
cmaw63
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 in Pets, Home and Garden, Books |
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Member: Julie
Location: Illinois, USA
Reviews written: 307
Trusted by: 73 members
About Me:
Looking forward to my first grandbaby. She's due November 24!
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