Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area
| Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area | |
|---|---|
Wetland restoration area. | |
| Type | Fish and Wildlife Area |
| Location | Starke County USA |
| Nearest city | Knox, Indiana |
| Coordinates | 41°18.229′N 86°45.303′W / 41.303817°N 86.755050°W |
| Area | 4,295 acres (17.38 km2) |
| Created | 1927 |
| Operated by | Indiana DNR |
| Features |
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The Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area is situated in Starke County at the junction of the Yellow River with the Kankakee River. The state purchased 2,312 acres (9.36 km2) of marshland in 1927 for a Works Progress Administration (WPA) transient camp. The camp consisted of up to 400 men. After the camp closed, it was established as a game preserve. In the 1950s waterfowl management was begun. In 1982 another 1,016 acres (4.11 km2) were added and in 1992 an additional 767 acres (3.10 km2). The Fish and Wildlife area consist of the wetlands between the Yellow River and the Kankakee at their junction and uplands on both the north bank of the Kankakee and the south bank of the Yellow. The main entrance to the area is on Indiana State Road 39 at Indiana State Road 8.
The wildlife area is a remnant of the Grand Kankakee Marsh. The Grand Kankakee Marsh was known worldwide for its waterfowl. Stories are told of skies blackened by the wings of countless numbers of ducks and geese.