Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Areas

The Middle Fork State Fish & Wildlife Area is located 6 miles north of the Interstate 74 exit at Oakwood in Vermilion County. The area consists of 2,700 acres of grass, forest and cropland, and provides excellent wildlife habitat. The area is bounded on the east by Kennekuk Cove County Park and on the south by Illinois Power Company's Vermilion Station. The site received its name from the Middle Fork branch of the Vermilion River which flows between Kennekuk Cove County Park and Middle Fork State Fish & Wildlife Area. The Middle Fork River passes out of the Middle Fork Wildlife Area into Kickapoo State Recreation Area about 10 miles downstream. At Kickapoo you can enjoy family camping, picnicking, fishing, boating, mountain biking and rent a horse for a short trail ride. Much of the land which now makes up the Middle Fork State Fish & Wildlife Area was purchased in the late 1960s and early 1970s, along with lands that now are parts of Kennekuk Cove County Park and Kickapoo State Park, for a 3,300-acre water supply and recreation reservoir. In 1977, the State concluded that it could not afford to fund the reservoir and discussions were initiated to determine alternative public uses of the land. In 1978, an agreement was reached between the State and Vermilion County Conservation District to trade lands in order to achieve contiguous and manageable land holdings. A management plan was completed the same year, designating the Middle Fork property as a State Fish & Wildlife Area. Land transfers placing the property under the management of the Department of Natural Resources were completed in 1986.