Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area is a protected wildlife area in Hamilton and Jefferson Counties in southern Illinois with forests, wetlands, and open fields. The site contains strip-pit lakes for fishing, designated hiking trails, and zones for archery and target shooting.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources established this protected area in 1988 to maintain ecological balance and provide outdoor recreation opportunities. The site developed from transformed landscapes into a managed sanctuary where wildlife and human use coexist.

Fishing and hunting are central to how people use this land, with visitors coming to cast lines in the lakes or pursue waterfowl and small game during seasons. The trails and open areas reflect a working landscape where wildlife management and recreation go hand in hand.

Access to the area comes by way of rural roads connecting to Illinois Route 142 and Route 14, with the main entrance located at State Highway 14 near McLeansboro. Visitors should prepare for rural conditions and seasonal timing, as activities are tied to hunting and fishing seasons and weather patterns.

The area maintains about 1,000 acres of planted food sources to support local wildlife populations in a deliberate management strategy. This intentional cultivation sets it apart from many other protected lands where nature is left to its own course.