Summer Hunting Opportunities at Carlyle Lake

CARLYLE LAKE – Carlyle Lake offers the outdoor sportsman a variety of late summer hunting opportunities.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources work together to manage the public lands and waters at Carlyle Lake.  More than 10,000 acres of public lands are open to hunting to which all-current Illinois game laws and regulations are in effect.  All hunters are also required to sign in and out daily and record harvest at the nearest hunter sign in box. Access areas are conveniently located around the lake to provide parking and access to public lands.

   Squirrel season opens August 1, 2014; shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.  The daily bag limit is 5 and the possession limit is 10, you may possess no more than twice the daily bag limit.  All public lands around the lake are open to hunting with the exception of developed recreation areas, the 100 yard buffer zone around the recreation areas, and other posted areas marked “NO HUNTING”.   Both shotguns and 22 rim fire rifles are permitted on Corps of Engineers public lands to hunt squirrels. 

   Dove season opens September 1, 2014; shooting hours are from 12:00 p.m. to sunset.  The daily limit is 15 and the possession limit is 30.  Several wildlife food plots have been planted around the lake in various crops including sunflowers, corn, soybeans, milo and millet.  Areas that will be available for dove hunting on September 1^st include:  Bobwhite Access, James Hawn Access, Mourning Dove Access, Massasauga Access, Whitetail Access, and Elmwood Access.  On September 1^st and 2^nd, a hunt for disabled sportsmen will be held at Steins Field, this area will open to the general public on September 3^rd.   Dove hunting at Lotus in the Coles Creek Recreation Area will open on Tuesday September 9^th.  Shooting hours for all areas will be from noon until sunset.  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources also offer dove hunting opportunities at the Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Management Area Eckert’s Farm Access, and at Eldon Hazlet State Park, steel shot is required for dove hunting at Hazlet State Park.

 Remember to always practice hunting safety and follow all Illinois hunting rules and regulations.  For more details or information on outdoor hunting activities contact the Carlyle Lake Project Office at (618) 594-2484 or e-mail us at carlylelake@usace.army.mil