Prairie State Wire

A public drawing for trapping permits at Sangchris Lake State Park is scheduled for October 19. The event will occur at the park office in Rochester, with registration starting at 10 a.m. and the drawing commencing at 10:30 a.m.

Two permits will be issued for two trapping zones, including the newly available subimpoundment area. Each permit can list two names, and only those individuals will be authorized to trap. Participants must attend the drawing in person and possess a current 2024-2025 trapping license.

From February 1, 2025, until March 31, 2025, statewide regulations will apply to the lake. This allows anyone with a valid trapping permit to trap beaver, muskrat, and otter.

All trappers must obtain a free windshield card permit online for the site. They are also required to report their harvest or hunter trips online by February 15 each year or within two weeks after the season ends if it concludes after February 1. Failing to report for two consecutive years results in losing hunting privileges at this site for the following year.

For further details, interested parties can contact the site office at 217-498-9208 between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.