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Lake Le-Aqua-Na
STORY BY GARY THOMAS After the conclusion of World War II, there began an effort to establish a state park system that included a recreational area with a lake in each county of the state. The idea was to provide outdoor recreation opportunities close to home. While the plan was a grand one, the dollars simply weren't there to make it happen, so only a few of these parks were completed.
Lake Le-Aqua-Na was one of those parks that was built under this program. The park's name might sound like it was taken from a Native American word, but the fact is, it's more European than North American. Le-Aqua-Na comes from the name of the closest community (Lena) with the Latin word for water (Aqua) in the middle. Located near Freeport in northwest Illinois, land acquisition at the site got underway in 1948, and the area was dedicated as a state park 10 years later. Today, the park covers 715 acres. "It's just your typical man-made state park," says Site Superintendent Dave Salley. "They took a pretty forested area and built a little lake for recreation where a cornfield used to grow." And while that's true, Salley's words tend to downplay the beauty of the rolling landscape found in this part of Illinois. Lake Le-Aqua-Na is not just another pretty place—it has a quiet charm that makes it an ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle of day-today existence.
The idea for a recreation area in each county was a good one, but it would have been a shame to keep this park for just the people of Stephenson County. The land is on the edge of that portion of northwestern Illinois that was unglaciated, leaving an area of rolling hills. Its sweeping lands are beautifully landscaped and provide a feel of being in a wilderness setting. Timbered areas with giant oaks, maples, walnuts, hickories, sweet gums and stands of pine surround the park's openings. The park's roadway wanders through the wooded areas and offers great views of the 40-acre lake. Patches of brightly colored wildflowers and restored tall grass prairie areas provide a visual treat.
Park benches are placed in areas offering scenic views of the lake and picnic tables are found throughout the property. The park also features three nice shelters with electricity that can be reserved for a small fee by calling the park at (815) 369-4282. There are two playgrounds to keep the kids occupied. Even though Lake Le-Aqua-Na is somewhat small for a state park, it has more than seven miles of well-maintained trails that are easy to walk and well-marked. These multi-use trails are used by hikers, equestrians and cross-country skiers. The trail length is not sufficient to allow snowmobiling. The park has four campgrounds with about 170 units for recreational vehicles and tent campers. There also is a youth group camping site, plus a small equestrian camping area that can hold from 10 to 15 units. The class-A facility has showers and flush toilets. While most of the campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis, it is possible to reserve some of them. Telephone the park or go to its web page for more information on reservations. Things to know before you go Address: Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park, 8542 N. Lake Road, Lena, Ill. 61048 Telephone: (815) 369-4282 Concession: (815) 369-4405 Website: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/leaquana.htm Location: Lake Le-Aqua-Na is in Stephenson County in the northwest corner of the state near the Wisconsin border, about 20 miles east of Galena and 40 miles west of Rockford.
Lake Le-Aqua-Na
The park includes a small swimming beach. The water in the deepest part is only 5 feet deep, but it's great for swimming or sunbathing. There's no charge for using the beach. However, there are no lifeguards, so visitors swim at their own risk. The 40-acre lake is the park's centerpiece. The lake has a good population of bluegill, catfish, crappie and bass, plus a fair population of walleye and northern pike. The fishing is best in the spring, before the lake gets too weedy. Anglers fill stringers of bluegill and crappie in April, May and June, and bass actively bite throughout the summer months. Catfishing is also good during the hot, summer months. The best fishing takes place near the fish attractors that are found throughout the lake. Fishing regulations are posted on site, and only trolling electric motors are allowed on the water. The lake is one of the few in the state having an axial-flow destratifier, which basically is an underwater fan that mixes the lake water to keep oxygen levels high at all depths. While this ensures the lake won't have a summer or winter kill from lack of oxygen, it can also make the angling a little harder because the fish don't congregate at any particular level.
There is a covered fishing pier near the beach for anglers with disabilities. Dove hunting is allowed in the park from noon until 5 p.m. during the month of September. Hunters must enter a daily drawing for access to the dove field. The park also has a three-day youth deer hunt in conjunction with firearm deer season. In November, archery deer hunting also is available. Contact the park for more information about hunting opportunities. Park facilities during the summer months include a full-service concession where visitors can get a hot meal or a snack, buy fishing supplies or rent watercraft. Lake Le-Aqua-Na also is a popular winter playground where ice fishing, sledding, cross-country skiing and ice skating are popular activities. However, ice anglers and skaters are advised to stay clear of the destratifier, because the ice usually is thin nearby. If you like watching wildlife, you should have ample opportunities at Lake Le-Aqua-Na. White-tailed deer are numerous in the park, as are raccoons, opossums, fox and coyotes. A wide variety of birds use the area, including waterfowl and wild turkeys. If you're looking for a quiet "get away from it all" location for your next outing, you won't be disappointed if you give this northwestern Illinois park a try.
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