Otter Creek Preserve: HB Featured Property

A One-of-a-Kind World Class Hunting and Fishing Farm
Located in the heart of Fulton County’s big buck country; this ground is perfect habitat for all types of waterfowl, upland game, deer and turkey. The abundance of wild game and the amazing trophy hunting potential, however are not the focal point of this recreational property. Otter Creek Preserve is all about the FISH!!!

This stunning 682 acre farm has over 250 acres of lakes and several other controlled cell wetlands areas. Another two hundred acres of this property is tillable land with extremely good income for recreational ground, and the rest of the property is a perfect mixture of timber and warm season grasses. The water on the property is divided into 3 main lakes and several controlled cell wetlands. I guess I will just start with the main lake and move on from there:

Main Lake
The 145+ acre lake begins up by the Morton Building and narrowly meanders throughout most of the property. The main boat ramp actually starts in the Morton Building and goes right down into the water. Really an amazing setup! We have collected GPS coordinates for all of the artificial and natural fishing reefs and the first major reef is just 150 yards from the boat ramp. The fishing reefs we have set up are quite frankly unbelievable! Bulldozers, backhoes, boulders, full size trees, PVC, and semi-loads of gravel and rocks, are all the major ingredients to the many fishing reefs. To compliment the fish structure, we also have a complete Vertex aeration system set up throughout the lake. This keeps the water moving, cool, clean and fresh! These fish have better homes and amenities than most people!!

This lake has been stocked with genetically selected pure strain muskies, superior strains of fast growing walleye, feed trained largemouth, jumbo perch, and has great populations of crappie, catfish, and bluegill. The forage base is predominantly gizzard shad along with golden shiners, fathead minnows, annual stockings of threadfin shad and daily feeding programs with specialized high protein fish food. The diversity of habitat and fish species, makes this lake fishable virtually 365 days per year!

Canadian Lake
The 47 acre Canadian lake would definitely be classified as unique. This brand new lake boasts a “Canadian Themed” fishery. Feed trained smallmouth bass and walleye are the predominant predators, but bonus tiger muskies are fairly abundant as well. The forage base is currently fathead minnows, golden shiners, pumpkinseeds, and yellow perch. Gizzard Shad will be introduced as the predators begin to need some bigger food in 2009. This lake is just too fun!

Mike's Lake

This 10 acre gem would be considered extremely specialized. The focal point of this lake are genetically altered feed trained largemouth bass. These bass were hand picked and trucked in from Arkansas. They were stocked at one pound each early in 2008. The lake was completely full of yoy gizzard shad, threadfin shad, golden shiners, and fathead minnows. These bass have been trained to do one thing since the day they were born- EAT! To supplement their 24/7, all you can eat buffet, we feed specially made high protein bass nuggets daily. The bass will jump completely out of the water to attack the near golf ball sized protein nuggets! Watching these fish feed is almost more fun than actually fishing!

Wetlands
The primary function of the wetlands is for planting, flooding, and then feeding waterfowl. The property holds quite a few ducks and geese year round, but also is in a major flyway and attracts 1000’s of birds throughout the winter. Several hunting shows have been filmed on the property. We get a double use out of the wetlands by raising forage fish in them.


The farm contains a fairly new 2000 sq ft. three bedroom house with attached garage. Also, a new heated workshop and a brand new very large Morton Building. An extensive white rock road system connects you to all the sporting opportunities this farm has to offer. The combination of world class fishing for muskie, tiger muskie, walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and jumbo perch; along with the best hunting Fulton County has to offer for ducks, geese, doves, pheasants, quail, turkey, and especially trophy whitetail deer cannot be equaled!

If you are looking for the best recreational ranch in Illinois, your search is over! This property is currently available, but probably not for much longer. Visit http://www.hbpondmanagement.com/ for more details.