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Kankakee Fish & Wildlife Area

Address
4320 West Toto Road
North Judson, IN 46366

Link to this page
on.IN.gov/kankakeefwa

Email
KankakeeFWA@dnr.IN.gov

Admission
Free

Time zone
Central

Office hours
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. CT

Property hours
24/7. Some activities may have specific open times, especially if there is a draw. Please call property for questions.


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

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.

More activities

Map

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.

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