Lake Mills Wildlife Area

Lake Mills Wildlife Area is comprised of a diverse variety of habitat types covering approximately 3,300 acres. The habitat types include open water marsh, large areas of wet prairie, lowland hardwoods with tamarack and some oak savanna uplands. The Bean Lake State Natural Area is located within the Lake Mills Wildlife Area.

This wildlife area is divided into two separate units. The eastern unit is located immediately southwest of the city of Lake Mills. The western unit is about 2 miles further west. To find a parking area travel southwest of Lake Mills on Highway A. There is a parking area for the eastern unit immediately after Rock Creek on the left side. To visit the western unit, continue on Highway A to Highway S. Go north approximately 1 mile and turn west on Alley Road. The parking lot is located at the end of Alley Road on the north side.

Management

Historically, the eastern unit made up the entire Lake Mills Wildlife Area. This area is primarily comprised of wetlands including parts of three lakes, extensive shrub-carr and tamarack bog and uplands with oak savanna and other hardwoods.

The western unit is known as the London (Zeloski) Marsh. This area is the result of a large wetland restoration effort and is nearly 2,000 acres. The marsh is comprised of large impoundments providing the opportunity to manage water levels for migrating and nesting waterfowl, shorebirds and other wetland species of both flora and fauna. Large portions of wet to mesic prairie communities have also been reestablished here. The area is filled with access lanes for management purposes which provide excellent opportunities for walking, wildlife watching and hunting.

The Glacial Drumlin Trail lies adjacent to the eastern unit along the north boundary and bisects the western unit of the wildlife area. This trail provides bicycle access for a scenic spring, summer or fall ride. The trail doubles as a snowmobile trail in the winter.

The wildlife area is maintained and improved using several techniques including prescribed fire, brush removal, planting of native species and removal of invasive species. Sunflower and corn fields managed for mourning doves provide additional hunting opportunities.

For more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state, visit the property planning page.

Recreation

The Lake Mills Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:

Biking;
Birding;
Canoeing;
Cross-country skiing (no designated trail);
Fishing;
Hiking (no designated trail);
Hunting (especially noted for waterfowl, pheasant, deer, turkey and small game);
Snowmobiling (designated trails only);
Trapping;
Wild edibles/gathering; and
Wildlife viewing.

Special waterfowl regulations

In the Zeloski Unit of the Lake Mills Wildlife Area hunting hours for all migratory birds will close daily at 1:00 p.m., beginning on Sept 1 and continuing through the 16th day after the opening weekend of the duck season, except that normal statewide hunting hours apply on the opening weekend of the duck season.

Maps