Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area

Welcome to the Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area, a sprawling preserve of forest and grassland located near Oakwood, Illinois.

Preserve History: The State of Illinois began purchasing the land for Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area and other neighboring State Parks in the late 1960's and early 1970 in order to construct a 3,300 acre reservoir. In 1977, the State abandoned it's plans to build the reservoir on the grounds of it's high costs and decided to find other uses for the acquired lands. A year later in 1978, an agreement was reached between the State of Illinois and Vermilion County to achieve contiguous land holdings and several land transfers occurred and lead to the formation of the Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area in 1986.

Today it is over 2,700 acres of diverse landscapes of upland forests, upland fields, and flood plains. The Middle Fork River itself has been designated as a National Wild and Scenic River and is one of the most pristine in the State of Illinois. Some of the preserves wildlife species include deer, squirrels, rabbits, herons, wild turkeys, catfish, smallmouth bass, crappie, and many others.

For the lover of the outdoors, this preserve boasts over 35 miles of multipurpose trails, several campgrounds, and an archery range. Come on out and explore.