Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge

19031 E CR 2110 N

Havana, IL 62644

309/535 2290

Hearing impaired persons may contact

Chautauqua through the Federal Relay

Number at 1 800/877 8339.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1 800/344 WILD

Chautauqua

National Wildlife

Refuge

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Wood ducks, Tom Humburg
Located along the

Illinois River,

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge covers

4,480 acres of

bottomland forest,

floodplain wetlands,

and backwater

lake habitat.

Wetland Habitat,

USFWS
For Thousands of Years

Millions of waterfowl and other

migratory birds rested and fed in the

wet Illinois River bottoms during

their annual migrations from

northern breeding grounds to

southern winter homes. Lake

Chautauqua was a rich mosaic of

sloughs, wetlands, and woodlands.

Times Changed

In the 1920s the area was diked,

drained, and converted for

agricultural production. In only two

years the Illinois River reclaimed the

land.

Poor land use practices and increased

barge traffic on the river resulted in

more river silt being deposited in

tranquil backwater areas like Lake

Chautauqua.

Aquatic plants, food for waterfowl

and other wildlife, were smothered.

Finally, with the purchase of the

Chautauqua Drainage and Levee

District in 1936, Lake Chautauqua

became part of the National Wildlife

Refuge System.

Pintails in Flight

Chautauqua

 NWR

Peoria This “Blue Goose”

symbolizes the

National Wildlife

Refuge System, a

network of over 500

refuges protected

and managed for

wildlife, habitat,

and people.

Today

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge

is part of the Illinois River National

Wildlife and Fish Refuges Complex

managed by the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service. These refuges,

distributed along 124 miles of the

Illinois River, presently provide over

12,000 acres of refuge and breeding

ground for migratory birds, fish, and

other wildlife. When land acquisition

is complete, the Illinois River Refuges

will include 32,000 acres

of bottomland forest, backwater

lake, floodplain wetlands, and

prairie habitat.
Diverse Habitats = More Wildlife!

The variety of habitats found within

the Refuge create wonderful

conditions for wildlife observation.

Changing water levels throughout the

year attract a variety of birds –from

the short-legged shorebirds that

forage for invertebrates in the mud to

the fish-eating birds that feed in four

feet of water.

Ducks, geese...and more ducks

and geese!

Twenty-three species of waterfowl

are known to use the Refuge,

including trumpeter and tundra

swans. The combination of the North

Pool and the South Pool provides a

mix of prime habitat for diving ducks

and dabbling ducks. When good food

resources are available, as many as

250,000 waterfowl may be seen on

Lake Chautauqua at one time.

Soaring Eagles

As many as 176 eagles have been

sighted on the Refuge between

October and March. Migrating eagles

arrive on the Refuge around late

October, and by mid-November they

can be found feeding and resting in

the large trees of the newly restored

North Pool. Look closely and you

might see one of several eagle nests

along the Illinois River.

Shorebirds

The low water of summer and the

resulting mud flats mean one thing –

peeps. With over 10,000 of these

migratory visitors darting in and out

of cover, August is the time to see the

many shorebird species found at

Chautauqua Refuge.

Trumpeter Swan,

USFWS

Dowitchers

Great Blue

Heron

Bald Eagle,

James M. Miller

Fishing

Whether from a boat or the tree-lined

banks, Chautauqua Refuge provides

exciting fishing opportunities for all

ages. Fish for any of the 54 species

found here, including bluegill,

crappie, black bass, and catfish. Boat

access is available at the Eagle Bluff

Access Area. Best bets include the

flooded timber of Melz Slough and the

western edge of the North Pool.

Marsh and Water Birds

The dense wetland vegetation on

Chautauqua Refuge provides ideal

shelter and feeding habitat for

secretive marsh birds such as soras,

yellow rails, great blue herons, and

great egrets. Although secretive and

seldom seen, listen for American

bitterns and green herons as they

feed among the 70+ plant species

found in the North and South Pools.

Great Egret

Fishing on Lake

Chautauqua,

USFWS

Wood Ducks
Refuge Activities

There are many opportunities for you

to explore and enjoy Chautauqua

National Wildlife Refuge. Check with

the Refuge Manager for open areas

and seasonal public use.

Hike the wheelchair accessible

interpretive nature trail located at the

Refuge Headquarters.

Hunt waterfowl in the Liverpool Lake

Public Hunting Area, located outside

Lake Chautauqua. All hunting must

adhere to federal, state and refuge

regulations. Check with the Refuge

Manager for details.

Pick mushrooms and berries;

collect nuts. Watch waterfowl and other birds from

Refuge trails and other

access points. Fish for bluegill, crappie, and catfish

on Lake Chautauqua. Boat access

is available at the Eagle Bluff Access Area.

There are picnic tables located at the

Headquarters, Eagle Bluff, and Goofy

Ridge Public Access Areas.

Mallards

Headquarters Location and

Office Hours

Refuge headquarters are located 6

miles north of Havana, off Manito

Blacktop. Office hours are 7:30 am to

4:00 pm, Monday through Friday,

excluding federal holidays.

Need More Information? For additional information contact:

Refuge Manager

19031 E CR 2110 N

Havana, IL 62644

Phone: (309) 535-2290

Information on Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge can also be found on

Chautauqua’s Home Page:

http://www.fws.gov/r3pao/ill_rvr/

index.html.

Equal opportunity to participate in

and benefit from the programs and

activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service is available to all individuals

regardless of age, race, religion, color,

sex, national origin, or disability.

Contact:

U.S. Department of Interior

Office for Equal Opportunity

1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20240
South

Pool

Lake Chautauqua

CHAUTAUQUA

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

LEGEND

Refuge Boundary

Dike

Water Control Structure

Spillways

Hunting Area

Interpretive Trail

Launching Ramp

Parking

Restrooms

0 1 1/4 1/2 3/4

North

Pool

Chicago

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Rockford

Rochelle

La Salle

Morris

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Paso

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Danville

Champaign

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Macomb

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Springfield Jacksonville Decatur

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Carbondale

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