Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Massac County, Illinois, protects an old cypress swamp and a broader landscape of wetlands and open water. Covering 2,630 acres, including 690 acres of water, it was acquired by the state in 1949 and has become a center for both habitat conservation and outdoor recreation. Its ecosystem supports abundant birdlife and fish, including Canada geese, ducks, snow geese, panfish, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. The area is used for wildlife watching, fishing, and hiking, and it also hosts the Pro/Am National Archery Tournament, one of the country’s largest competitions of its kind.