Outagamie Wildlife Area
Outagamie Wildlife Area is found in northwest Outagamie County. The state owns approximately 1,000 acres. The property is comprised of bottomland hardwood forest, impounded marsh and aspen forest. The entire wildlife area is located in the Wolf River floodplain. The Wolf River bisects the property allowing excellent access by boat.
Outagamie WA started in 1940 as a 412-acre parcel leased from Outagamie County by the Wisconsin Conservation Commission for 20 years for use as public hunting grounds. The lease did not permit any management of the land and, with strong local support from sportsmen’s clubs, the property was purchased in 1958. Additional acreage was acquired later from adjacent landowners. In 1960, a dike was constructed to create a 264-acre flowage. Other short dikes and plugs on old oxbows created another 16 acres of flowage. Five water control structures and water transfer ditches connect the various flowages. In the early 1960s, a diesel pump was installed on the Wolf River to permit flooding of the flowages during dry periods. It was replaced in 1969 by an electric lift pump which was in service until 1989. A new pumping station has since replaced this old structure. Current management focuses on maintaining the bottomland hardwoods and aspen stands and maintaining and restoring the marshes and sedge meadows.
Find Outagamie Wildlife Area 4 miles north of Shiocton. There are three parking areas found on the property. Two are located on County Highway M and the other is on Highway 187.
Management Objectives
The Outagamie 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 in wetland areas include maintaining the bottomland hardwood and swamp hardwood type and maintaining or restoring sedge meadow and emergent marsh. The aspen cover type is maintained were currently found through timber management.
Recreation
The Outagamie Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:
- Birding
- Canoeing
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail)
- Fishing (Wolf River)
- Hiking (no designated trail)
- Hunting
- 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 - non-designated only.
Maps
Download [PDF] a map of this property.
If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.
