Closeup of a flock of snow geese in flight. — Emiquon Emiquon is a hotspot for snow geese migration. © Michael Wilhelm

Things to Do at Emiquon Preserve

TNC’s Emiquon Preserve offers a variety of recreational activities including waterfowl hunting, fishing and boating opportunities.

Updated August 04, 2026

The Emiquon Preserve is located about 40 minutes southwest of Peoria and six miles southeast of Lewistown in Fulton County.

The Nature Conservancy is restoring and managing Emiquon Preserve as part of an effort to conserve ecological processes and the plant and animal communities of the Illinois River ecosystem. There are a variety of things to do while visiting Emiquon! Recreational opportunities include boating, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, wildlife viewing and hiking. Our visitor-use facilities offer boardwalks, canoe and boat launches, hiking trails, observation decks and pavilions, and signs that help visitors learn more about these incredible habitats.

Hunting
Fishing & Boating
Visitor Resources
FAQs

Hunting at Emiquon Preserve

Emiquon is nestled in the Illinois River Valley, a major stopover site for migrating waterfowl in the Midwest. Because of this prime location, sustainable waterfowl hunting opportunities are offered at Emiquon as a public service and to share some of the many multiple-use benefits provided by restored wetlands.

2026 Public Waterfowl Hunting Registration

TNC's Emiquon Preserve offers public waterfowl hunting opportunities for Standard, Youth and Disabled Person hunters. Participation in these hunts requires advance registration and selection through an annual random drawing process. Hunters who are not selected through the drawing are encouraged to participate as standby hunters on their desired hunt date. Hunting locations that have not been claimed by drawn hunters by the designated check-in time become available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hunters interested in participating must complete the online registration form by 11:59 p.m. on September 13, 2026. Applications received after this time will not be considered. Successful applicants will be notified no later than October 1 and will receive additional hunt information via email.

Click here to apply: REGISTRATION WILL OPEN BY AUGUST 24. CHECK BACK HERE FOR THE LINK.

For important dates, hunt information, and program requirements, please review the 2026 Waterfowl Hunting Dates, 2026 Waterfowl Hunting Rules & Liability Waiver and 2026 Waterfowl Hunt Map.

NEW FOR 2026: Late Goose Season

Late Goose Season hunting opportunities will be available on a standby-only basis. No advance registration or drawing is required for Late Goose Season.

Other than the registration process, Late Goose Season hunts follow the same rules, requirements and procedures as regular waterfowl hunting. Hunters must complete the Daily Hunter Harvest Register and Waiver prior to hunting and sign out upon completion of their hunt. All applicable Emiquon Preserve hunting rules and state and federal regulations apply.

Please review the Late Goose Season Hunting Dates and 2026 Waterfowl Hunting Rules & Liability Waiver documents for additional details.

A man in a fishing boat on the water with hazy trees, a field, and tall water vegetation in the background. — **Emiquon Fishing** Fish for bluegill, crappie, walleye and other fish at Emiquon Preserve. © Taylor Sipp/TNC

Two people in silhouette against a sunrise standing in a wetland with a dog nearby and ducks in the water. — **Emiquon Hunting** In the fall, limited waterfowl hunting opportunities are available at Emiquon Preserve. © Randy Smith/TNC

Fishing & Boating at Emiquon Preserve

Emiquon’s lakeside observatories and trails offer a variety of things to do such as hiking, birdwatching and wildlife watching. Visitors have full access to these areas; however, a permit and liability waiver is required for lake access, i.e., for fishing and boating. The digital lake access permit and liability waiver is the most convenient way for visitors to complete the required form in advance or same day. Paper forms are also available at Dickson Mounds Museum during normal business hours. The lake is equipped with a canoe launch and concrete boat launch.

Any and all decisions of TNC staff or designees at Emiquon Preserve are final, and anyone failing to abide by written rules or instructions from TNC staff or designees may have hunting privileges at this preserve revoked. The Nature Conservancy retains the right to modify these rules and to terminate this program without prior notice. Learn more about Emiquon fishing and boating rules and regulations.

Emiquon Visitor Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Waterfowl density and diversity at Emiquon is tracked through the Illinois Natural History Survey.
You can find these hunting regulations and a map of hunting boundaries on the USFWS web site.
The nearest hospital is approximately 6 miles from Emiquon—Mason District Hospital in Havana, 309-543-4431 or dial 911.

To contact Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police, call the Fulton County Sheriff at 309-547-2277.
For questions, contact the Illinois River Program office at Emiquon at 309-547-2730. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. Our address is 11304 N. Prairie Road, Lewistown, IL 61542.

Connect with Us

Frequent visitors and nearby residents are encouraged to request to join the new Emiquon Facebook group.

The TNC's Emiquon Preserve Community group is the place for you to connect with Emiquon administrators, other community members, and stay up to date on happenings at the preserve.