The Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is located in southern Illinois in Massac County along U.S. Highway 45 about 5 miles north of the Ohio River and about 15 miles northwest of Paducah, KY.
The 2,600-acre complex began to take shape in 1949 when the original land was purchased. In 1962, a system of levees led to the creation of the 700-acre lake.
Activities in and around the lake include boating (a 10 HP motor maximum), fishing (several species of panfish), hiking (two short interpretive trails), hunting (waterfowling from October to December plus deer and other species) and day-use picnicking (limited facilities include 1 group area).