Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake
Fulton County, Illinois
Historically, what is now the Emiquon Preserve included two backwater lakes, Thompson Lake and Flag Lake, and was argued to have been one of the better hunting and fishing complexes in the Illinois River Valley if not the whole Midwest. From the early 1920s through the present, most of the property currently owned by the Conservancy was managed for agriculture, most recently primarily for intensive row-crop production. In 2007, the site pumps were shut off and the water level in the site was allowed to rise and reform the lakes. The current Thompson/Flag Lake covers approximately 4,000 surface acres. The lake topography is two large shallow basins with deep water ditches dissecting it. In midsummer, the lake basins can be 70% covered with aquatic vegetation.
Public access to the water bodies on the Emiquon Preserve is limited to registered boats. Free annual registration to access the site for all users is required and available at the adjacent Dickson Mounds State Museum. Only electric trolling motors are allowed. No gas motors are allowed on the boats.
2 pole and line fishing only. A concrete boat ramp with a gravel parking lot for 25 vehicle/trailers is present and a boardwalk, visitor area and canoe launch.
The site contains an inviolate refuge from public access. This refuge will attempt to serve as a limited disturbance area for all of the wildlife utilizing the Preserve. This refuge encompasses approximately the eastern half of the former Thompson Lake basin, all of the former Flag Lake basin and then to the Illinois River levee. This refuge area is designated with marked buoys and signs. The access time to the water bodies is sunrise to sunset. This access is year round, except during the Central Zone waterfowl hunting season. During the Central Zone waterfowl hunting season, no water access is allowed on hunting days. Currently waterfowl is allowed 3 days a week, thereby allowing fishing access 4 days a week. Ice fishing is allowed when practical on the entire lake basin.
Site Regulations:
Largemouth Bass: 1 fish daily limit; 18" minimum length limit
Bluegill: 25 fish daily limit; no length limit
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit; no length limit
Walleye, Sauger or Hybrid Walleye: 6 fish daily limit; 14" minimum length limit
White and Black Crappie: 25 fish daily limit; 9" minimum length limit
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We want to see what you've caught on Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake.Frequently Asked Questions About Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake, IL
- How big is Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake area?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake?
- What is the fishing outlook for Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake?
How big is Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Crappie.
What are the closest cities to Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there places to eat and drink near Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake?
What is the fishing outlook for Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake?
History & Status of the Fishery
In 2023, the total nonnative fish collected were 63 common carp, 4 silver carp, 2 grass carp, 1 bighead carp and 2 carp x goldfish hybrids.
These new fish species collections probably entered the Preserve from the Illinois River through the new control structure site. The size of these fish indicate that they arrived through a large passage like the control structure. The silver carp, bighead carp and the grass carp had extremely robust body conditions. Their growth rate is currently at an accelerated rate in the Preserve. No reproduction and recruitment has been documented at this time for the Asian carp species.
The presence of an expanding population of common carp, grass carp and silver carp is an ominous sign for the future aquatic habitat in the Preserve. The rapid removal of the submerged aquatic plant community through consumption by the grass carp, and decreased water clarity from algal blooms stimulated by the silver carp biomass may soon reach a critical tipping point. Then the reduced water clarity will likely allow the common carp to achieve very high reproduction and recruitment in the Preserve. A rapid degradation of the aquatic habitat, submerged aquatic plant community, and native fish population is the factual, proven result from a high common carp density.
Controling Authority
309-547-2730
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Rob Hilsabeck
309-370-5296
What is the average air temp for Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake?
Are there any state parks near Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake?
Rice Lake State Park
Sand Ridge State Forest
Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Emiquon Preserve - Thompson Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Quiver Creek | 2.2 mi | 378 | 5 ft |
| Lake Chautauqua North | 4.7 mi | 5,160 | |
| Matanzas Lake | 7.2 mi | 395 | |
| Mud Lake | 7.8 mi | 5,160 | |
| Fulton Co. Camping & Recreation Area | 8.1 mi | 134 | 20 ft |
| Clear Lake | 9.8 mi | 5,160 | |
| Beebe Lake | 10.1 mi | 1,623 | |
| Goose Lake | 10.4 mi | 1,623 | |
| Grass Lake | 10.7 mi | 7,198 | |
| Bell Lake | 10.7 mi | 7,198 |
