Blackhawk Lake Wildlife Area
Blackhawk Lake Wildlife Area is a 2,037-acre property in west-central Iowa County, lying within the Western Coulee and Ridges Ecological Landscape.
The property is popular for deer, turkey, and pheasant hunting, with over 500 pheasants released annually for the fall season. The property also includes the 220-acre Blackhawk Lake, which offers opportunities for fishing and waterfowl hunting.
Iowa County leases 330 acres of the property to manage as a recreation area. Here, Iowa County operates a multi-site campground, hiking trails and a beach area.
History
The Blackhawk Lake Wildlife Area is part of the former Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area. Planning operations for the recreation area began in 1960, when the Iowa County Soil and Water Conservation District applied for assistance from the USDA Soil Conservation Service under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act. In 1964, the development of a recreational lake in conjunction with a flood retarding dam was added to the plan.
The Otter Creek Watershed Project was approved in 1966. The co-sponsors were the Iowa County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Cobb-Highland Recreation Commission. Funding came from county, state and federal funds. During 1966 and 1969, 2,040 acres were purchased. These lands were deeded to the state as part of the requirements for financial assistance.
The state subsequently conveyed a perpetual easement to the Cobb-Highland Recreation Commission on 330 acres to be developed as an intensive recreation area. The intensive recreation area now includes a 100-plus site campground, beach area, concession stand, boat launch and parking area and nature trail.
Management objective
Outside of the 330-acre recreation area, the department manages 1,500 acres as a wildlife area. Staff in Wildlife and Forestry work together to manage the uplands to benefit numerous wildlife species. Much of the focus is on management to maintain and promote oak forests and restore oak savanna areas. Grassland habitats, including restored and remnant prairies, are maintained using prescribed burning, haying and other forms of sharecropping.
DNR Fisheries staff work extensively on the 220-acre Blackhawk Lake to maintain and improve fish habitat for numerous species, including bluegills and other panfish, walleye and northern pike. The department also stocks walleye and northern pike into Blackhawk Lake every other year and also northern pike.
Recreation
Blackhawk Lake Wildlife Area (and county-operated recreation area), provides numerous recreation opportunities:
- Biking
- Birding (numerous species, including Henslow's sparrow, bobolinks, meadowlarks, waterfowl species, red-headed woodpeckers and bald eagles)
- Boating (motorized on Blackhawk Lake, access via the recreation area)
- Camping (only at the recreation area)
- Canoeing
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail)
- Hunting (notable species include ring-necked pheasants, wild turkey, deer, squirrel, rabbit and mourning doves)
- Kayaking
- Hiking (no designated trail)
- Horseback riding
- Fishing (Blackhawk Lake and Otter Creek)
- Snowshoeing
- Swimming
- Trapping
- Wild edibles/gathering
- Wildlife viewing
Amenities
- Bathroom - Only in the county-leased recreation area.
- Parking lot - There are multiple parking areas throughout the property.
- Campground and size - Only at the County-leased recreation area.
- Trails, Types and Lengths - non-designated only.
- Other amenities - Picnic areas and other amenities can be found in the recreation area.
Maps
If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.
