The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

WHAT: The Nature Conservancy announced today that boating, fishing and ice skating will be permitted at the Emiquon Preserve on a limited basis in 2011. The free permits [201kb PDF] and a complete list of rules for 2011 may now be picked up at the Dickson Mounds Museum as of December 18, 2010. New permits are required as of January 2011 for participation. The wetland restoration opened for fishing in 2009. Existing 2010 permits will expire on December 31, 2010.

Boating, fishing and ice skating is allowed only on the west side of Thompson Lake. Gas powered motors, whether or not in use, are not permitted. Bank fishing is not allowed. Ice fishing is allowed, but gas powered augers are not. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and have a permit signed by a parent or legal guardian. A parent or legal guardian must be present with the child on the date of the permit signing.

WHERE: The Emiquon Preserve is located near Peoria in Lewistown, Illinois. The Dickson Mounds Museum is located at 10956 North Dickson Mounds Road, and is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Parking locations and access to the lake may change or be limited during the season as on-site construction of visitor facilities progresses.

WHEN: Lake Access is permitted between sunrise and sunset. Additional restrictions apply on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays during waterfowl hunting season when boating, fishing and ice skating is allowed only between 12:00 pm and sunset.

WHY: Lake access opportunities are offered as a public service and to share some of the many multiple-use benefits provided by restored wetlands. The Nature Conservancy is restoring and managing the Emiquon Preserve to conserve ecological processes and the plant and animal communities of the Illinois River ecosystem. Through a cooperative fisheries management agreement, the Illinois Department of Natural resources has stocked almost 2 million fish of 30 different species.

Those interested in supporting the Conservancy's work are encouraged to become a member at nature.org/illinois.