Illinois Conservation Police Lodge #146
The men and women safeguarding Illinois' fish, wildlife, waterways, and outdoor heritage — for the people who hunt, fish, paddle, hike, and call this state home.
Illinois' frontline for fish, wildlife & the outdoors
Illinois Conservation Police Officers — known to most as "Game Wardens" — hold full police powers across all 102 Illinois counties. From fish and game enforcement to search-and-rescue and homeland security, our focus is protecting the public and the state's natural resources.
Did you know?
Over 690,000 licensed fishermen and hunters rely on Illinois' outdoors. CPOs are the only law enforcement officers dedicated to enforcing the state's hunting and fishing laws.
How many do we have?
Just 101 field officers cover the entire state — roughly one CPO for every 450 square miles. By comparison, Illinois has 1,500–2,000 State Troopers, or one per 33 square miles.
What we do
CPOs do far more than enforce conservation laws — they handle DUIs, domestic calls, search warrants, and meth-lab busts in remote terrain where backup can be 30+ minutes away.
Full police powers, statewide reach
We perform every duty a "regular" police officer does — and then some. CPOs serve all 102 Illinois counties, accomplishing much of their work in remote parts of the state without nearby police assistance.
- Fish & game enforcement
- Boating, snowmobile & OHV safety
- State park & site protection
- Search and rescue
- Homeland security & mutual aid
A lodge built by — and for — Conservation Police
Chartered in 1982, FOP Lodge #146 was organized by Illinois Conservation Police Officers to promote ethical use of natural resources, support legislation that protects them, and provide scholarships for students pursuing careers in natural resource protection.
We're a 501(c) not-for-profit registered with the Illinois Secretary of State and affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Police.
Read our mission