Sangchris Lake State Park

09/02/2026

Day 1 in the books. Man it was a HOT one. The heat did drive our hunter numbers down but the shooting was pretty good.
Field 1- 43 hunters, 365 birds, 8.48 average
Field 2- 0 hunters, 0 birds
Field 3- 5 hunters, 5 birds, 1 average
Total 48 hunters, 7.7 average.

* we will have plenty of spots tomorrow, if you come please bring water, drink water tonight, and watch out for each other. We had some close calls today with the heat.*

08/24/2026

Don't forget!

IDNR reminds upland game hunters that applications are now being accepted for the 2026 free upland game hunting permit lottery and the controlled pheasant hunting program. These programs provide opportunities to hunt at select state sites across Illinois this fall.

The free upland game hunting permit program offers lottery-assigned, no-cost hunting opportunities for wild upland game, including bobwhite quail, ring-necked pheasants and cottontail rabbits. The controlled pheasant hunting program is a fee-based program that offers opportunities to hunt pen-reared ring-necked pheasants released at participating state sites.

Applications for the free upland game hunting permit lottery will be accepted through Aug. 31

Learn more here:https://www.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/illinois/iisnewsattachments/32812-080726-08072026-upland-game-pheasant-program.pdf.pdf

08/17/2026

**Calling all dove hunters!

We’ll be doing the 1st mowing of the sunflower fields this week, as we’re about two weeks out from opening day! Here’s what you’ll need to know:

🔺Opening day is Tuesday, September 1st and runs through Sunday, September 20th.
🔺Report to the Sangchris Lake office by 10:0am to sign in. (Note: all permitted hunters are guaranteed a stake. At 10am, numbers are drawn at random for your choice in field & stake number)
🔺The standby drawing is at 11am, for any remaining available stakes.
🔺The Youth Hunt is Saturday, September 5th. All youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
🔺Maps below will be printed and available onsite.
🔺Be safe, and have fun!

Call the park office 217-498-9208 with any questions.

08/13/2026

-UPDATE-
A farmer has claimed it. Thanks!

A drive shaft for a piece of equipment was found on the side of the road in the park today. It appears to be new. If you lost one or know of someone who did, please contact the office at 217-498-9208.

08/13/2026

📲Hi Parks Fans!
A cell phone was found by our staff at Access Area 2. If you, or anyone you know has lost one, please contact the park office at 217-498-9208 to describe it and arrange a pick up time!

08/07/2026

🔊🔊Attention All Squirrel Hunters!

🐿️Sangchris Lake’s squirrel hunting season starts the day after Labor Day (September 8th) and lasts through September 30th.

🐿️Statewide hunting hours apply. (half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset)

🐿️Shotgun hunting only, with shot shells.

🐿️Hunting can occur in all hunting areas, but must be 100 yards from any developed area.

🐿️ Statewide bag limit of 5 applies.

🐿️ Hunters must obtain a windshield card from the IDNR website:
dnr2.illinois.gov/windshieldcard/

🐿️Be safe!

08/04/2026

They say “progress over perfection”
….and progress occurs with practice!

Archery season starts October 1st, so come get some preseason practice in at Sangchris Lake!

Maple Flats has 10, 20, 30, and 40 yard ranges to help sharpen your skills 🎯

07/22/2026

🙌🏼Hooray for this weather cooling down a bit!

Keep us in mind as a destination to relax and recharge! It’s a perfect time to go fishing, kayaking, or camping, enjoy a picnic, a hike, or just some quiet time by the lake.

Can’t wait to see you out here!

07/10/2026

Hello Park Fans, now is the time to see these beauties in bloom! Catch them in the next couple weeks for peak blooming.

🌻As this is a popular attraction to the park, we ask that everyone be respectful to other park patrons also viewing and photographing the flowers.
🌻Please do not pick the flowers, the deer do enough of that for us! Keep the beauty in place for everyone to enjoy.
🌻Please be advised you will have to park at the hunter parking lot near the field and walk the remainder of the way to gain access. It may be wet and muddy on the farm lane depending on the weather, and the ground can be uneven, so please use your best judgement and dress appropriately.
🌻Copy and paste these GPS coordinates into Google Maps and it’ll show you the locations:

*Dove Field 1 (near IL Route 104):
39°35'48.3"N 89°31'50.0"W
*Dove Field 3 (just north of the park office on Cascade Road):
39°39'35.9"N 89°29'15.9"W

Or you can also stop in to the park office M-F 8:30am-4:30pm or call 217-498-9208 for more information.

🌻ENJOY!

07/09/2026

Hi Park Fans!
You may have noticed some much needed updates happening over at Access 3…. All summer we’ll be replacing the fishing piers and clearing brush from embankments.
As the progress continues, we wanted to give a huge shout out to our Site Assistant Superintendent and all of our Site Technicians! These guys have been working tirelessly through storm damage clean up, heat, humidity, and their regular maintenance schedule to keep our park looking great. Please join us in thanking them for a job well done!