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Attention hunters: Visit our FAQ page for information about the use of centerfire, single-shot rifles for deer hunting in Illinois. 

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Located minutes east of Springfield and its Lincoln attractions, Sangchris Lake serves as a perfect home base for enjoying outdoor activities in central Illinois. Whether you're interested in fishing, boating, camping, hunting or family gatherings, Sangchris Lake provides an abundance of recreational opportunities amid native forests of oak, maple, butternut and persimmon.

Totaling more than 3,000 acres and offering 120 miles of shoreline, Sangchris Lake is so named because it extends into both Sangamon and Christian counties. It was formed in 1964 when Commonwealth Edison built a 50-foot earthen dam across Clear Creek to create a cooling lake for a power plant it was constructing near Sicily.

In 1969, ComEd deeded 1,414 acres of land around the lake to the state, along with easement rights for boating and fishing. In August of 1997, the IDNR purchased 1,180 acres along the west shoreline from ComEd. Today, ongoing developments and improvements have transformed Sangchris Lake State Park into a popular outdoor retreat.