Fishing and wildlife watching at Hennepin-Hopper lakes at Dixon Waterfowl Refuge

A close-up of lotus (since that photo was taken in July, the lotus have fallen back considerably) growing at Hennepin-Hopper lakes. (Dale Bowman)

HENNEPIN, Ill. — Boat trails were etched into sprawling lotus and matted aquatic vegetaton in July when I fished Hennepin-Hopper lakes for the first time in years. I paddled within feet of trumpeter swans; an otter swam off the bow of my kayak; a beaver of more than 50 pounds thrashed wildly on the other side of thick lotus.

Since then, I’ve returned twice.