Wolf River Wildlife Area
Wolf River Wildlife Area is located in northwest Winnebago County in the Town of Wolf River. The state owns and manages approximately 1,800 acres. The property consists of two slightly disjunct units dominated by wetlands.
The northern section, known as Deltox Marsh, was once a wire grass (sedge) marsh, important to the local rug industry. Over time, it transitioned to a canary grass marsh with scattered willow stands. The southern section, Metzig Marsh, is located at the confluence of the Wolf and Rat Rivers. It consists of a large sedge meadow-shrub carr marsh complex with cattail in the wetter sites. Soft maple and brush stands occupy the narrow ridges along the river channel and oxbows.
Find Wolf River Wildlife Area one mile southwest of Zittau. A parking area is located at the end of Schmidt Lane. There is an additional walk-in access point off of HWY II.
Management Objectives
The Wolf River Wildlife Area is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, fishing, trapping and other outdoor recreation while protecting the qualities of the unique native communities and associated species found on the property.
The primary habitat management opportunity on the property is maintaining and restoring the extensive sedge meadow habitat by controlling reed canary grass, managing cattails, and mowing. Opportunities to maintain bottomland hardwoods, open water and emergent marsh are pursued where feasible.
In Wisconsin's Wildlife Action Plan, the Wolf River Wildlife Area is identified as a Conservation Opportunity Area (COA) of Upper Midwest/Regional significance for medium-sized rivers and streams in Wisconsin's Wildlife Action Plan. It is also identified as a COA of state significance for floodplain forest communities.
Visit the property planning page for more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state, visit the property planning page.
Recreation
The Wolf River Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:
- Birding
- Canoeing
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail)
- Fishing
- Hiking (no designated trail)
- Hunting (noted for waterfowl and deer)
- Kayaking
- Trapping
- Wild edibles/gathering
- Wildlife viewing
Amenities
- Bathroom - none.
- Parking lot - there are four parking areas throughout the property.
- Campground and size - none.
- Trails, Types and Lengths - none.
Maps
Download [PDF] a map of this property.
If you want to explore this property further, you can access an interactive map.
