Kaskaskia, Ridge Lake & Sam Parr Biological Stations
The Kaskaskia, Ridge Lake, and Sam Parr Biological Stations support year-round research in freshwater ecology and fisheries science. These three field stations operate as part of the Illinois Natural History Survey, which is part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Where Research Meets the Water
Across these sites, scientists perform applied and experimental studies on fish populations, aquatic habitats, and invasive species. From the 1,500-square-foot wet lab at Lake Shelbyville to the managed ponds at Sam Parr and the historic creel surveys at Ridge Lake, each location offers a distinctive setting for studying how freshwater systems work—and how to manage them.
Explore Our Stations
Learn more about the work taking place at each station and meet the researchers behind it: