- Kankakee FWA Alerts
- None at this time.
Description
Kankakee FWA provides outdoor recreational opportunities while maintaining 4,199 acres of land, which includes open water, marshes, riparian timber, periodically flooded crop fields, and 11 miles of river.
The entire area is situated in what was called the Kankakee Grand Marsh, which once covered hundreds of thousands of acres. Most of the marsh was drained in the late 1800s for agricultural use.
In 1923, the State purchased 2,302 acres of the remaining marsh for a Civilian Conservation Corps camp that housed as many as 400 workers. The area later became established as a game preserve, and during the 1950s, waterfowl management was undertaken by the State. In 1982, the property acquired 1,016 acres of private land and developed it into wildlife habitat. Ten years later in 1992, an additional 767 acres were added. The most recent addition to the property, 104 acres, occurred in 2010. In 2023, Kankakee FWA celebrated 100 years of providing habitat for wildlife and outdoor activities for visitors. Learn more about the history.
Kankakee FWA is known for its excellent waterfowl and dove hunting opportunities. Kankakee is also a popular destination for fishing, birding, and kayaking. For questions or concerns about Kankakee FWA, email KankakeeFWA@dnr.IN.gov.
Most revenues used in land acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of Kankakee FWA are derived from the sale of hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. Funds are also received from the federal Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson programs to aid fish and wildlife restoration. These funds are derived from taxes placed on sport hunting, shooting, and fishing equipment. Indiana hunters and anglers are proud to provide this property for the enjoyment of all people.
- Amenities
Modern public restrooms:
- Outside of headquarters (open 24 hours)
Office staff stationed at Kankakee:
- Kankakee FWA Property Manager - Bryan Boggs, ext. 223
- Kankakee FWA Assistant Property Manager- Chelsie Minor, ext. 228
- District 1 Fish Biologist - Tom Bacula, ext. 226
- District 2 Wildlife Biologist - Tony Carroll, ext. 222
- Northwest Public Lands Supervisor - Tom Despot, ext. 234
Popular activities
All hunters, range users, and dog runners are required to sign in and obtain the appropriate one-day access permit before entering the field at this property. The one-day permit card must be completed and returned to a self-service booth, drop box, or property office before you leave.
All other visitors are encouraged to obtain a miscellaneous one-day access permit before entering the field. The one-day access permit should be kept with you while visiting, then completed and returned to a self-service booth, drop box, or the office before you leave. The information you provide will help us identify ways to improve Indiana’s FWAs for all users. We appreciate your patience in taking the extra time to complete the permit. Your feedback and comments are valuable to us.
- Fishing
- Kankakee FWA provides 11 miles of available fishing access on the Kankakee and Yellow rivers. The property also has numerous ponds and wetlands open for fishing.
- Kankakee FWA provides over 34 miles of available water in ditches open to fishing.
- Primary species include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, Northern pike, bowfin, crappie, and walleye.
- There are no fees for river access.
- Two boat ramps are provided: one on S.R. 8 at the Kankakee River bridge and the second at the town of English Lake at the confluence of the Kankakee River and the Yellow River.
- Anyone in a boat, kayak, or on a paddle board must be in possession of a wearable personal flotation device while on the water.
- A maximum of 24-volt electric motors are allowed on the property. Outboard motors are permitted on rivers only.
- During waterfowl hunting season, Ten-Mile Road is only open to waterfowl hunters’ vehicles. The rest of the year, Ten-Mile Road is open to public vehicles; however, the road may sometimes be closed based on manager’s discretion.
- No fishing is allowed on the ponds located within the Kiwani refuge.
- Ice fishing opportunities are limited to a few ponds when conditions allow.
- Bow fishing within the marsh is popular along Ten-Mile Road.
- For more information on fishing, visit the fishing page, and for more places to fish, try the Where to Fish map.
- Hunting
- Deer, quail, rabbit, dove, woodcock, waterfowl, and wild turkey hunting is common at Kankakee FWA.
- All hunting seasons and bag limits apply. See Hunting Regulations for details.
- Possession of lead shot on Kankakee FWA or its satellite properties is illegal except while hunting for wild turkey. All other hunting requires nontoxic shot.
- Hunting areas accessible to persons with disabilities are available. Contact property office.
Deer
- Deer hunting opportunities are present on this property in various units and on other satellite properties managed by Kankakee FWA. See the deer hunting map for details.
- See the property map for details. Please fill out a hunting permit and turn it in at the drop boxes. All hunting season dates and deer limits apply.
- Antlerless deer cannot be taken with a firearm during firearms season at Fish & Wildlife areas, including Kankakee FWA.
- Deer tree stands and ground blinds may be used and left unattended from noon, Sept. 15 through Jan. 10.
- Tree stands and ground blinds must be legibly marked in English with either the owner's DNR customer identification number or the owner’s name, address, and telephone number.
- Screw-in tree steps, screw-in equipment hangers, and other bark-penetrating devices are prohibited.
- All ground blinds are required to follow the state’s hunter orange requirements.
- Ten-Mile Road is closed to all hunting but waterfowl hunting during the waterfowl season. No deer hunting is allowed at this location.
Small Game
- Quail, rabbit, dove, woodcock, and pheasant are present.
- See the property map for details. Please fill out a hunting permit and turn in at drop boxes. All hunting season dates and bag limits apply. See hunting regulations for more information.
- Dove drawings are held at 11 a.m. CT at Kankakee FWA headquarters until unnecessary. All other hunting is self-service.
- Possession of lead shot on Kankakee FWA or its satellite properties is illegal except while hunting for wild turkey. All other hunting requires nontoxic shot.
- Ten-Mile Road is closed to all hunting but waterfowl hunting during the waterfowl season. No small game hunting is allowed at this location.
Turkey
- There is no draw for spring turkey hunting.
- See the property map for details. Please fill out a hunting permit and turn it in at the drop boxes. All hunting season dates and bag limits apply. See hunting regulations for more details.
- Turkey hunting hours are from ½ hour before sunrise to noon CT.
- Ten-Mile Road is closed to turkey hunting. Refer to turkey hunting map for areas open to turkey hunting.
- Toxic shot is authorized for turkey hunting.
Waterfowl
- Kankakee FWA provides habitat and hunting opportunities for a wide variety of waterfowl species.
- There is no waterfowl hunting at Kankakee FWA during the September waterfowl seasons.
- During the regular waterfowl season, there is a draw every day at 4:30 a.m. CT at the Kankakee FWA headquarters. All hunters must register and sign in for the draw before 4:30 a.m. CT.
- To enter the draw, hunters must be in a party of two or three licensed hunters. Single hunters may take spots available after the draw.
- Kankakee FWA provides boats and oars for most blinds. Individuals may use a trolling motor and must bring a life jacket for each person who uses a boat.
- There is a 25-shotgun shell limit per hunter.
- Waterfowl harvest sheets are posted weekly at Kankakee FWA headquarters during waterfowl season.
- Water levels can vary based on location and time of year. Hunters may not be able to boat to all blinds and may need to walk to specific locations. Contact the property office for more details.
- Ask at property headquarters for opening date of corn units. The corn unit opener is normally around Nov. 1.
- The corn units are hunted on a three-day rotation. The west corn unit will be hunted one day, then the next day the east corn unit will be hunted, and both units will rest on the third day. This process will repeat throughout waterfowl season.
- Hunting hours in the corn units are from ½ hour after sunrise to noon CT. The gate will open at sunrise.
- Hunting hours in the marsh units are legal until noon CT.
- Waterfowl hunting is allowed only from designated blinds and units unless hunting in the 2nd and 3rd units of Ten-Mile Road in which hunters can hunt within 30 yards of the blind they are hunting. This is a trial that may be revoked by management at any time.
- Waterfowl reservation days in 2023 are Oct. 28, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 12, Nov. 15, Nov. 23, Nov. 24, and Nov. 30. Six parties are selected on each reservation day.
- Ten-Mile Road is closed to vehicle traffic except drawn waterfowl hunters during the waterfowl season. All other activities are walk-in only.
- Late goose hunting season will be done through hunt draws on Sundays and Thursdays at 5:30 a.m. CT during January and February.
- Trapping
- The trapping draw is the first Saturday in October at 10 a.m. CT.
- Trapping is in designated areas. See trapping map/rules for areas and rules.
- View statewide trapping regulations in the Hunting & Trapping Guide.
- Wildlife watching & birding
- 4,199 acres of riparian woodlands, wetlands, marsh, and farmland attract deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, hawks, owls, bald eagles, and shorebirds.
- Kankakee FWA is a well-known destination for birders who come during the spring and fall migrations to see large flocks of waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and birds of prey.
- Ten-Mile Road is closed to all vehicle traffic besides waterfowl hunters during waterfowl season. Walk-in viewing is still allowed at this location.
- Contact property office for the best current spots and recent wildlife sightings.
This property is a stop on the
More activities
- Biking
- Bicycling is allowed on all paved and gravel roads that are open to vehicle travel. There are no mountain bike trails, and off-road travel is prohibited.
- Dog running
- A dog running and training area is provided in L-1. See property map for details.
- Dogs must always be leashed outside of the dog running and training area unless being used by a registered hunter in the pursuit of game.
- The only dogs allowed inside buildings are service dogs.
- Foraging
- Mushrooms, berries, and nuts may be gathered; however, a written permit is required to remove plants, animals, rocks, and fossils.
- Please note that during spring turkey season, no other visitors are allowed in the L-1, L-2, L-3, L-4, S-4, and S-5 units until after noon CT. Please see the property map for details and call the office for dates and any questions.
- Hiking & walking
- While there are no designated trails, there are mowed lanes that can be used to explore the property. Inquire at the office to find out what trails are available when you plan on visiting.
- All waterfowl resting areas are closed to hiking year-round.
- Please note that during spring turkey season, no other visitors are allowed in the L-1, L-2, L-3, L-4, S-4, and S-5 units until after noon CT. Please see the property map for details and call the office for updates and any questions.
- Water recreation
- Kankakee FWA provides 11 miles of available access on the Kankakee and Yellow rivers. The property also has numerous ponds and wetlands open for kayaking and boating.
- There are no fees for river access.
- Two boat ramps are provided: one on S.R. 8 at the Kankakee River bridge and the second at the town of English Lake at the confluence of the Kankakee and Yellow rivers.
- Anyone in a boat, kayak, or on a paddle board must be in possession of a wearable personal flotation device while on the water.
- Motor restrictions: A maximum of 24-volt electric motors are allowed. Outboard motors are permitted only on rivers.
- Ten-Mile road is closed to vehicles of non-waterfowl hunters during waterfowl hunting season. It may also be closed based on manager’s discretion. Call office for details at 574-896-3522.
- Volunteering
- Need a reason to get outside and move? You can volunteer alone or in small groups at this property. Some possible opportunities are listed below:
- Dressing of the blinds – help with preparing duck blinds for hunting season. The event is held on the last Saturday in September yearly.
- Wildlife survey support – Assist staff with fall waterfowl counts and more.
- Skilled labor – If you are a carpenter, electrician, plumber, welder, or have other specialized skills, there is likely a time when you could assist us with projects.
- Land stewards – Help maintain a part of the property that you enjoy using. Projects could include invasive species treatment/removal, planting of food plots, seeding wildflowers, maintenance of trails, mowing, maintaining signage, picking up trash, etc.
- Property photographer – Help document what makes Kankakee FWA unique, from plants and animals, to the people who use it.
- If you have any other projects that you are passionate about, feel free to contact Kankakee FWA staff at 574-896-3522 or KankakeeFWA@dnr.IN.gov.
- Need a reason to get outside and move? You can volunteer alone or in small groups at this property. Some possible opportunities are listed below:
Other properties managed by this area
- Bittern Bog Wetland Conservation Area is approximately 74 acres. Over half of the property is enrolled in the Wetlands Reserve Program and contains several shallow water areas. The remainder of the property is composed of warm season grasses and sedge meadow habitat.
- Dick Blythe Wetland Conservation Area is approximately 202 acres. The property includes 20 seasonally flooded impoundments with the remainder being warm season grasses and sedge meadow habitat. The Kankakee River borders the property on one side.
- Koontz Lake Wetland Conservation Area is approximately 58 acres. The habitat consists of diverse lowland areas ranging from small open pockets of water to marsh and shrub bog. The area is managed as a forested wetland.
- Round Lake Wetland Conservation Area is approximately 188 acres. It contains the 31 acre Round Lake and surrounding wetland habitat. Approximately 50 acres of the property consists of upland habitat.
- Sprig Slough Wetland Conservation Area is approximately 109 acres. This property contains one shallow water impoundment while the rest of the property is composed of warm season grasses.
- Turkey Foot Wetland Conservation Area is approximately 153 acres.
- Horseshoe Bend Public Fishing Area is approximately 10.7 acres of the old meander land along the Kankakee River. This old river oxbow is still connected to the river and serves as a water storage area during flooding.
- Riverside Wetland Conservation Area is approximately 139.9 acres. This property is old meander land along the Kankakee River and is only accessible by boat.
