Loon Lake Wildlife Area
Loon Lake Wildlife Area is a 3,123-acre property located primarily in Barron County with a small parcel in Polk County. It consists of rolling upland oak, maple and aspen forest, grass fields, waterfowl flowages, pothole lakes, lowland brush, and the Apple River.
Find it 4 miles north of Turtle Lake or 4 miles south of Cumberland. From Turtle Lake, go north on Highway 63 for 3 miles to 16th Avenue. Turn west onto 16th Avenue and go 1/2 mile, then head north on 3/4 1st Street for 1.5 miles. From Cumberland, head south on Highway 63 for approximately 4 miles. Just south of Comstock, head west on 18 1/2 - 19 1/2 Avenue. Part of the property is within 1/2 mile of Highway 63. The rest of the property is 2.5 miles west, south of 19 1/2 Avenue.
This property offers a tremendous number of opportunities from hiking, wildlife viewing, hunting, and trapping. There are roads closed to vehicle traffic that people can access on foot and plenty of parking lots where you can access the wildlife area and even view wildlife from. From the wooded areas to the prairies, all the way down to the many flowages this property offers it all. People enjoy deer, waterfowl, pheasant, grouse, and turkey hunting in this area. Trappers love the access to so many flowages and the Apple River in such proximity to trap things like muskrats, mink, beaver, and otters. Also, Wild Rice is present on this property.
Note: No bikes are allowed on the property.
Management Objectives
Loon Lake Wildlife Area was established in the 1960s for waterfowl and forest wildlife management. Ducks, geese, deer, ruffed grouse, woodcock, gray squirrels, black bears and furbearers are the main species of interest for hunting or wildlife viewing.
Over 100 acres of flowages have been developed along with small dug potholes for waterfowl management. Approximately 600 acres of grassland habitat developed for waterfowl and grassland birds is burned and mowed periodically to maintain habitat quality. An extensive trail system is maintained for hunter access and wildlife viewing.
For more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state, visit the property planning page.
Recreation
The Loon Lake Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:
Note: No bikes are allowed on the property.
- Birding
- Canoeing
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail)
- Fishing
- Hiking (designated trail)
- Hunting (especially noted for waterfowl, deer, bear, pheasant, grouse and turkey)
- Kayaking
- Trapping (especially noted for beaver, muskrats and otters)
- Wild edibles/gathering
- Wild rice harvesting
- Wildlife viewing
Amenities
- Bathroom - none.
- Parking lot - yes.
- Campground and size - none.
- Trails, Types and Lengths - yes.
Maps
Download [PDF] a map of this property.
If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.
Find out more about how to adopt this wildlife area.