Mukwa Wildlife Area
Mukwa Wildlife Area is in Mukwa Township in southeast Waupaca County, 1 mile west of New London. Currently, 1,290.60 acres are state-owned.
The property is bisected by the Wolf River, and the Little Wolf River flows through it to join the Wolf from the west. One State Natural Area (SNA), Mukwa Bottomland Forest, is located within the property. The most extensive plant community here is silver maple-dominated bottomland hardwood forest, varying in condition from highly disturbed to excellent. There are many old oxbows, some of which host high-quality emergent marsh and sedge meadow communities, including beds of wild rice.
More open wetlands of bulrushes, spikerushes, burreeds and sedges are found east of the Wolf, some disturbed by ditches and reed canary grass. There also are extensive patches of wetland shrub-dominated by alder and willow.
The floodplain forest and emergent marsh communities here support rare plants and animals and are considered significant here due to their extent, condition, and connection to the vast bottomlands forests downstream. The corridor of the Little Wolf is considered highly significant for aquatic species.
Management Objectives
The Mukwa 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. Current management objectives include maintaining the bottomland hardwood type by favoring silver maple and swamp white oak and maintaining or restoring the sedge meadow habitat type where possible. Where feasible, populations of invasive species are controlled or eliminated by cutting, pulling, burning, herbicide treatment and/or biocontrol.
The Mukwa Wildlife Area is identified as a Conservation Opportunity Area of statewide significance for floodplain forest communities in Wisconsin's Wildlife Action Plan. The Mukwa Bottomland Forest SNA is located within the boundaries of the Mukwa Wildlife Area.
Recreation
The Mukwa Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:
- Birding
- Boating (motorized and non-motorized)
- Canoeing
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail)
- Fishing
- Hiking (no designated trail)
- Hunting (noted for waterfowl and deer)
- Kayaking
- Trapping
- Snowmobiling trail
- Wild edibles/gathering
- Wildlife viewing
Amenities
- Bathroom - none.
- Parking lot - yes, three parking areas throughout the property.
- Campground and size - none.
- Trails, Types and Lengths - none.
- Other - Wolf River Sturgeon Trail is DNR-owned land under a long-term lease to Waupaca County. Managed by Waupaca County Parks Dept. Half-mile-long paved trail along the Wolf River west of New London on Highway X. It’s a great place for fishing or leisurely walks. The Mukwa Wildlife Area is on the opposite side of the road. Fishing piers, benches and informational signage are available.
Maps
Download [PDF] a map of this property.
Directions: Find Mukwa Wildlife Area 1 mile West of New London on Highway X. Parking areas are found on Highway X and Jennings Road. The Wolf River Sturgeon Trail project is located along Highway X between the Mukwa Wildlife Area and the Wolf River Fishery Area, providing pier fishing.
If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.
