Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is an Illinois state park and wildlife management area in Fayette County, centered on Carlyle Lake in south-central Illinois. Covering about 37,000 acres, it is a large protected landscape tied to the lake and its surrounding habitat. The area is managed for both recreation and wildlife, giving it a dual role as a public outdoor destination and a conservation landscape. Its size, setting, and designation make it an important protected area in Illinois, with the lake forming the heart of its identity.