Natural Features Anderson Lake is a flooplain lake which frequently receives overflow waters from the Illinois River. The lake has 1,134 surface acres with a maximum depth of six feet and an average depth of four feet. Carlson Lake is a waterfowl management area having 230 surface acres with a maximum depth of five feet and an average depth of three feet. This area is drained in early summer, planted to duck feed and flooded in the fall to attract waterfowl to the area. The area is a picturesque bottomland setting with timber species dominated by silver maple, cottonwood and willow.
Plant growth is lush and the timber tends to be tall.
A variety of waterfowl abounds in the area. A sanitary dump station is also available. Crappie, bluegill, bullhead, bass and channel catfish is consistently good in early and late spring. Ice fishing for crappie and bluegill is also popular. The area provides boat docks and two public boat ramps.