Carlyle Lake Waterfowler's Assn.

11/05/2025

Hello everyone, I have been begging for these dates and was just sent this at 1:35pm today and just seen this and posting it to the page. Please share this and like this post to help spread the word. Please be sure to attend this meeting if possible.

Thank you!

10/28/2025

More highlights of what the Carlyle Lake Waterfowlers Association (CLWA) have accomplished recently in the area for the members and non members that utilize the area during waterfowl season.

As most of you have probably seen the solar lights among the boat ramps around the lake such as the one at Cox bridge ramp and Patoka as well as Tamalco to name a few. The CLWA has worked hard to ensure that all the access points have had some kind of lighting available to all of us at them. This makes tasks such as launching a boat, or getting your gear ready at a ramp or parking lot a lil more convenient. Well we are happy to announce that we now have a new light installed at parking lot #3, which has recently been given back to the Corps to manage. Our original plan was to install a light at Parking lots 1 and 2 as well, unfortunately we are unable to complete those two sites at this time.

The IDNR personally called me, asked us to stand down and not install the lights. They indicated that there were permits and donation forms that must be filled out before they would consider allowing us to install them.

They also had to have engineering inspect the light to be sure the light met the requirements of the IDNR. Just as soon as we get the forms filled out and back to the state and engineering looks at our lights we will be sure to get them installed, so hopefully sooner than later!

Special thanks to Justin Tellefsen and his son for assembly and installing the lights. And to Vince Deichmann and his son and daughter for taking the time from their busy schedules to get the light up at Parking lot #3. We applaud your time and efforts Gentleman.

10/27/2025

⚠️NOTICE to Duck Hunters⚠️
🔥This is not about season dates...it's much more! READ THE FULL LETTER🔥
In response continued mismanagement, zero accountability and recent events, the CLWA submitted the attached letter to the IDNR.

10/25/2025

Volunteers used a mini excavator and skidloader to make repairs to the Cox Bridge parking lot at the Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife area in Vandalia.    Volunteers from the Carlyle Waterfowlers Association, Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters of Illinois and the Delta Waterfowl Carlyle Lake Chap...

10/23/2025

Still looking for a few volunteers to help

10/23/2025

Upon release of the new waterfowl season dates and zone lines for the 2026-2030 seasons, the Department received numerous comments with concerns from the South Zone. We appreciate these comments and are evaluating them now regarding the proposed South Zone season dates. Additional public meetings will be held in the South Zone in November to discuss season dates. Details to be announced.

Illinois is a large, diverse state with weather and climate patterns that change significantly from north to south. Taking this reality into account, along with the federal waterfowl regulatory framework and the diverse hunting styles and opinions of waterfowl hunters, setting these dates and zone lines is challenging.

The Department used five years of robust scientific hunter surveys and information gathered at seven public open houses to arrive at the new season structure. The decision-making process was guided by the following:

➡ There is support across all four historical zones for combining the former South-Central and South Zones. This also includes support for split seasons.

➡ Overall, hunters statewide tend to favor a later duck season than the current structure.

➡ The split period for the new South Zone was set to push the season as late as possible (Jan. 31) while including a mid-November start to accommodate the current South-Central Zone and including peak migration periods to the area during the first half of December and late January according to aerial survey data.

➡ The “split” or closure was aligned with a period of typically lower duck numbers in late December according to aerial survey data.

➡ This approach opened Thanksgiving weekend in the “former” South Zone, which was not previously available, gained an additional weekend to duck hunt in some years, and maintained goose season open during the Christmas period.

➡ The Department did not receive indication from the public information gathered that a preference existed for duck hunting during the Christmas holiday in the South Zone. We now understand this to be critically important to many hunters in this area.

Staff at IDNR are passionate about managing and conserving the state’s natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities for the people of Illinois. We appreciate the interest and additional feedback from waterfowl hunters in the South Zone.

10/23/2025

10/23/2025

https://www.thebreesejournal.com/around-the-county/15075-three-groups-come-together-to-improve-cox-bridge-parking-lot?fbclid=Iwb21leANnV5pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtg6RPdOLGiY907oz4UlvfoU58ZijFtuk1_YAG0VJ8ADbF9IbmsIJI0NTUdw_aem_6Nma4xQ27pkMwDIE77GasQ

Volunteers used a mini excavator and skidloader to make repairs to the Cox Bridge parking lot at the Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife area in Vandalia.    Volunteers from the Carlyle Waterfowlers Association, Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters of Illinois and the Delta Waterfowl Carlyle Lake Chap...