Donnelley & DePue
State Fish & Wildlife Areas

Bureau County, Illinois

Latitude/Longitude
DePue SFWA:  41.3079138, -89.3379081
Donnelley SFWA:  41.2858608, -89.3242824
​DePue SFWA (office):  41.3238173, -89.3157601

Office (unstaffed for public access)
West End of West 4th Street
​DePue,  IL 61322

 Official Website
https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/DonnelleyDePue.aspx 

Activities: 
Water (paddle, fish)  
Note:  The village of DePue offers access to Lake DePue at Lakeshore Park. DePue and Spring lakes are accessible from the Illinois River, depending on the river levels.  Depue SFWA is accessible only by water.)
​Other (hunt*, view wildlife)
*Be aware, be safe.  ALL visitors should see below.
 
Season/Hours:  seasonal; varies with hunting seasons
 
Dog Friendly:  yes (leashed)
 
Map(s) On Site and/or Online: 
Online:  https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/PublishingImages/DonnelleyDepueSiteMap.PNG
https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/hunting/FactSheets/Documents/DonnelleyHunterMap.pdf​https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/hunting/FactSheets/Documents/DepueHunterMap.pdf
https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/hunting/FactSheets/Documents/DepueThreeIHunterMap.pdf
On Site:   no
 
Parking: DePue is accessible only by water; Donnelley has off road parking area
 
Amenities:  none
 
Restrooms: no
 
Trail Info Websites/Apps:  no
 
Cost:  free access; fee for hunting permit                     
 
Historical and/or Scientific Significance:  birding hotspot
 
Terrain/Views/Access:  wetland view/access, lake view/access
 
General Description:  3015-acre wildlife wetland habitat managed for waterfowl; adjacent to Hormel Ponds in Bureau Junction and Lakeshore Park in DePue;
Subject to Illinois River flooding. Know before you go.  Check Illinois River levels here.
 
OPAL’s Observations & Opinions:  
​

DePue SFWA (only accessible by water), west/north side of Illinois River:

Donnelley SFWA, east/south side of Illinois River:

DePue SFWA Office (unstaffed), west/north side of Illinois River:

Trail/Park Maps & Brochures (downloadable):
​Donnelley & DePue SFWA brochure (PDF)
Donnelley SFWA Hunter Map (PDF)
Donnelley & DePue SFWA Three I Hunter Map (PDF)
Donnelley & DePue SFWA General Map (PDF)
DePue SFWA Hunter Map (PDF)

More Information:
https://www.illinoistimes.com/springfield/battered-but-beautiful/Content?oid=11450218

https://www.enjoyillinois.com/explore/listing/donnelleydepue-state-fish-and-wildlife-area-and-complex

​https://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas/donnelley-and-lake-depue-state-fish-and-wildlife-areas

https://www.illinoisriverroad.org/places/united-states/illinois/depue/nature-outdoor-recreation/donnelley-depue-state-fish-wildlife-area-complex/

https://www.peoriaaudubon.org/lbs_donnellely-depue.htm

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=674775820625039

https://www.ducks.org/press-room/news-releases/major-illinois-river-valley-program-launched

https://outdoor.wildlifeillinois.org/articles/ducks-unlimited-partners-keep-illinois-river-valley-a-waterfowl-haven

http://www.wetlands-initiative.org/featured-news/mircc-2019

https://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/birds/2004/11/great-american-duck-hunts/

Managed by:
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Donnelley/Depue State Fish & Wildlife Areas
Site Superintendent​
1001 West 4th Street
​PO Box 286
DePue, IL 61322
815-447-2353
​

*Prior to visiting, ALL prospective visitors should check hunting information on the IL DNR website
https://huntillinois.org/​ .
​Some sites may have signs indicating “Hunting in Progress” in place at the parking lots.  Some will have NO indication of hunting.
Be AWARE ~ Be SAFE.

DePue Office (not staffed for public access)