Agencies
Services
Boating
The site provides a free launching ramp. There is no horsepower limit.
Camping
Tent and trailer spaces with electricity and water are available. Camping permits must be obtained from the site.
Canoe camping is permitted on the islands except during waterfowl hunting season.
Reservations are accepted through the ExploreMoreIL™ website.
Fishing
All fishing is done on the Illinois River and its backwaters. Bluegill, crappie, bullhead and channel catfish are the most frequently caught fish. More experienced anglers can catch largemouth bass. A man made half-mile-long channel near the campground is popular for fishing.
Picnicking
A day-use area with tables, shelters and stoves (no drinking water) is located in the Spring Beach Unit, 2 miles south of Sparland on Route 29. A smaller picnic area is found along Route 26, 5 miles south of Lacon, near the campground. Shelter reservations are accepted through the ExploreMoreIL™ website.
Hunting
Upland and forest game hunting opportunities exist in designated wildlife management areas. Shotgun and bow and arrow hunting are permitted. There is no hunting in recreation areas. Waterfowl hunting is available by permit and is restricted to designated blind sites. See Site Hunting Information
Trails
A marked, 3.5-mile combination hiking, cross-country ski and hunter access trail is available for public use within the Marshall Unit. There are no hiking trails at the Spring Branch Unit. Contact the site for a trail brochure.
Winter Sports
Cross-country skiing, backpacking and ice fishing are permitted on the frozen backwaters after the conclusion of waterfowl hunting season. The 3.5-mile trail takes skiers through wooded bluffs.
Trails
Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding or cross-country skiing, 8.5 miles of marked trails include something for everyone. Pets are welcome to enjoy the trails with you, but pets must be kept on their leashes. View our Trail Map for more information.
Winter Sports
Ice-fishing, sledding and cross-country skiing are popular attractions at Lake Le-Aqua-Na during the winter months, but there are no trails or facilities for snowmobiling. All ice activities should be limited to areas away from the lake’s destratifier unit, where open water and thin ice make these activities less safe.
Boating
Completed in 1956, the lake provides fishing, boating and a swimming beach. Bring your own boat and enjoy the beauty of the lake's 1.4 miles of wooded shoreline. A launching ramp is located adjacent to the concession stand. Only electric motors are allowed.
Fishing
Periodic stockings of walleye, northern pike and channel catfish compliment the lake’s self-sustaining largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and bullhead populations. Brush piles and fish cribs are located throughout the lake and enhance habitat for the fish population. To keep the supply abundant, however, regulations governing catch limits and sizes are strictly enforced.
An accessible fishing pier is located near the swimming beach.
Swimming
A small beach, particularly suited to children, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. No lifeguards are in attendance, so swimming is at your own risk. Alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Picnicking
Whether you are planning a picnic for two, have invited the whole family, or even the whole neighborhood, Lake Le-Aqua-Na has a picnic site to suit your needs. All sites include tables and grills. For those who like to plan ahead, two picnic shelters with electricity may be reserved in advance. Reservations are accepted through the ExploreMoreIL™ website.
Camping
RV, tent, equestrian and youth group campers are all accommodated in the various campgrounds. Few sites are secluded, with the majority open and spacious with adequate shade available on most.
A large number of electric sites with water are conveniently located throughout the campgrounds. While the RV campground is open year-round, the shower building with flush toilets and the trailer dump station are operational only from May 1 - November 1. To make reservations for the campground, go to ExploreMoreIL™.
The equestrian campground has a shelter, vault toilets and a hand pump for water. Access to the area is on county roads that border the park, not the main park entrance. Contact the park office prior to your equestrian outing as the campgrounds and trail may be closed due to wet conditions.
Hunting
A dove hunt and youth hunt are available. For specific regulations review the Site Hunting Information.
