I found a baby alligator snapping turtle in my backyard last fall and kept in the tank over the winter. The river and local pond freez up in winter, and I'm not sure if it hibernate in the winter. Do you know a better place to release it? Thanks for your help.

Are you sure that it is an alligator snapping turtle and not a common snapping turtle? Alligator snapping turtles are endangered in Illinois. Before it is released you should get photo documentation and provide it to the Illinois Natural History Survey (I can provide the appropriate contact information if you believe that the turtle is an alligator snapping turtle). If the turtle is a common snapping turtle then almost any body of water will work as a release site. They prefer shallow, mud-bottomed backwaters and ponds with lush aquatic vegetation but are a hardy, adaptable species that will do well in almost any aquatic environment. If you have more questions please feel free to e-mail me.