Mermet Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area Hunter Fact Sheet

2012 - 2013 Season

MAP

NAME: Mermet Lake Fish & Wildlife Area

LOCATION: West of Mermet on Route 45, between Vienna & Metropolis, in Massac County

DESCRIPTION:

Total Acres: 2625   Huntable Acres: 2000      Water Acres: 690      Timber Acres: 1250     Flooded for Waterfowl Hunting: 900

The topography is low and flat with a drainage canal bisecting the area. A series of levees allows for manipulation of water levels to provide both food and water for waterfowl. A large reservoir (450 acres) is used for water storage and as a fishing area during the summer. The water is then released by gravity to flood timber and cropland for waterfowl hunting. Deep wells and pumps also aid in maintaining water levels.

AVAILABLE GAME SPECIES:

Waterfowl     Deer     Dove     Squirrel     Quail   Rabbit     Turkey

This area is managed primarily for waterfowl and is an excellent concentration point. Pin oak and willow oak provide high quality duck food along with planted crops. This is also an excellent sightseeing place for nature lovers, with many species of upland and shore birds using the area throughout the year. A rare species of Gallinule was recently discovered nesting on the area as well as the Rice Rat, Moorhen, and Least Bittern.

AREA REGULATIONS:
  1. No overnight camping is allowed.
  2. This area will be closed to fishing from two weeks before to the last day of waterfowl season.
  3. Check station is present on the area (see map) and all hunters must sign in and out and report harvest. All hunting to be with shotgun or bow only, with the exception that muzzle loaded rifles may be used to hunt deer during shotgun deer season in designated areas.
  4. SQUIRREL hunters must use STEEL (non-toxic) SHOT in all waterfowl hunting areas. Squirrel hunting closes after September 30, except in upland game areas.
  5. WATERFOWL HUNTERS: Walk-in areas are filled on a first come, first serve basis. Blinds are allocated on a daily draw system one and a half hours prior to legal shooting time. Blind area hunting is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Walk-in areas will remain open.
  6. HANDICAPPED WATER FOWL HUNTERS: One blind is available and will be allocated on a daily draw system one hour prior to legal shooting time. Proof of P2 status is required.
  7. On all DNR sites; during pheasant, rabbit, quail, and partridge season, hunters and trappers are required to wear a cap and upper garment of solid and vivid blaze orange of at least 400 square inches while trapping or hunting pheasant, quail, Hungarian partridge, rabbit, snipe, rail, and woodcock.
  8. For Dove hunting, Statewide Season Regulation shall apply to this site.
  9. Dove hunters are required to sign-in and out.

For further information, contact: Site Superintendent, Mermet Lake Fish & Wildlife Area, 1812 Grinnell Road, Belknap, IL 62908; Phone: (618) 524-5577, or District Wildlife Biologist, Rt 2, Box 177B, Golconda, IL 62938; Phone: (618) 949-3476.

Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and those funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies is available to all individuals regardless of race, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion or other non- merit factors. If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact the funding source's . civil rights office and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, IDNR, 1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271; 217/785-0067; TTY 217/782-9175