Little Swan Lake, Illinois, USA

TEST  – Little Swan Lake is a private community tucked away in the quiet atmosphere of rural Warren County in west central Illinois. Property owners and their guests can enjoy a number of water-related activities, including fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing, ice fishing, and ice skating on 225-acre Little Swan Lake. Snowmobiling can also be enjoyed in the surrounding countryside. For members of the lake, various social activities…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Little Swan Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Little Swan Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Little Swan Lake, IL

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Illinois - Western Illinois -

    Little Swan Lake is a private community tucked away in the quiet atmosphere of rural Warren County in west central Illinois.

    Property owners and their guests can enjoy a number of water-related activities, including fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing, ice fishing, and ice skating on 225-acre Little Swan Lake. Snowmobiling can also be enjoyed in the surrounding countryside.

    For members of the lake, various social activities are held throughout the year at a clubhouse located at the east end of the lake.

    Little Swan Lake was the dream of Ralph Wilkins, a farmer recuperating from a broken leg who envisioned a lake development surrounding his farm. In July of 1966, construction of a dam began on Little Swan Creek, resulting in miles of meandering shoreline which is now Little Swan Lake.

    The dam was completed in 1967 and construction of roads began to create spacious lots around the lake. There are over 150 lakefront homes and numerous boathouses on the lake. Construction of new real estate continues yearly.

    Owners waiting for completion of their new residence can monitor the progress from a full-service campground near the lake. RVs, camper trailers and small mobile homes are allowed and give property owners access to the lake while they wait to move into their home. Available lots on the lake can be purchased or leased. Vacation rentals are limited to private homes and houseboats.

    Membership to Little Swan Lake has its privileges. Membership fees help keep the lake stocked with largemouth bass, crappie and walleye. Anglers will also find blue gill, sunfish, and catfish.

    Because lake access is limited to property owners and their guests, there is plenty of room for boating and fishing on the crystal clear water. The prevailing winds make it a popular lake for sailors too.

    Membership fees also go toward maintaining the roads around the lake and for snow removal in the winter. The lake also sponsors several free social gatherings, complete with food. 

    Although the appeal of Little Swan Lake is its isolation, the lake is just a few minutes’ drive from all the conveniences of the city. The town of Roseville, northwest of the lake, is the heart of Warren County. This small community has a lot to offer with antique shops, restaurants and a museum. In 1973, a concrete highway connected Little Swan Lake to the village of Avon, directly east of the lake in Fulton County.

    Bigger cities include Macomb, the home of Western Illinois University, located just 20 miles south of Little Swan Lake. Shopping, recreation and entertainment opportunities abound in this historic community.

    Outdoor enthusiasts will want to visit 1,700-acre Argyle Lake State Park, located just seven miles from Macomb.

    The city of Monmouth lies just 25 miles northwest of the lake. Home of Monmouth College, Monmouth also offers numerous shopping, recreation and entertainment opportunities.

    The city of Galesburg, home to Knox College is just 30 miles northeast of the lake. Golf courses, shops, restaurants and 600-acre Lake Storey Recreational Area make this an interesting town to visit.

    Hidden amongst corn and bean fields in west central Illinois sits beautiful Little Swan Lake. If you’re looking for a private lake community that values peace and tranquility, this is the place. Combine your time on the lake with an afternoon of shopping and recreation in nearby cities and then enjoy a spectacular sunset from your lakeside home or lot.

    Things to Do at Little Swan Lake

    These are some activities in the Little Swan Lake, IL area visitors can enjoy:

    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Water Skiing
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Ice Skating
    • Snowmobiling
    • State Park
    • Museum
    • Antiquing
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Little Swan Lake?

    Little Swan Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Perch
    • Sunfish
    • Walleye
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Little Swan Lake

    If you’re considering a Little Swan Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Little Swan Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Little Swan Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Little Swan Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Little Swan Lake Owner’s Association

    Surface Area: 225 acres

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 656 feet

    Maximum Depth: 36 feet

    Completion Year: 1967

    Little Swan Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

    More local lakes to explore in this area:

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Lake Thunderbird, IL

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Lake Wee-Ma-Tuk

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Fyre Lake, IL

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Little Swan Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Little Swan Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Little Swan Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Little Swan Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Little Swan Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: