Swan Lake Wildlife Area
Swan Lake Wildlife Area is a 2,466-acre property located one mile east of Portage off Highway P in Columbia County. The property consists of approximately 1,416 acres of wetlands, 92 acres of grasslands and 410 acres of forested habitat.
The Fox River flows through the Swan Lake Wildlife Area in a northwesterly direction from Swan Lake on the east. The property was designated as a wildlife area in 1963.
Three areas within Swan Lake Wildlife Area are designated as State Natural Areas: Swan Lake Sedge Meadow and Barrens, Swan Lake Tamaracks, and Swan Lake Wet-mesic Prairie.
Management Objectives
Historically, the primary management objective for Swan Lake Wildlife Area was to provide hunting and other outdoor recreation opportunities. As lands were acquired, marginal farm fields were converted to grassland to complement the existing grassland community and provide additional wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities.
Current management objectives focus on protecting the watershed of the Fox River and managing for presettlement vegetation types. This includes maintaining existing prairies, oak barrens, savannas and sedge meadows and seeking opportunities to expand these cover types. The property is managed on a landscape scale to create smooth transitions between cover types.
The property is monitored for invasive species such as black locust and crown vetch. Prairie and savanna areas are managed and maintained through prescribed burning, mowing and herbicide use to limit brush encroachment and encourage vigorous grasslands. Wetlands are managed through limited disturbance to prevent the spread of reed canary grass. Oak woodlands are managed in a manner that limits the spread of oak wilt and encourages regeneration of oak and hickory. Aspen stands are managed to keep the stands in a young age class.
Visit the property planning for more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state.
Recreation
The Swan Lake Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:
- Birding
- Boating (motorized and non-motorized; no boat launch on the property)
- Canoeing
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail)
- Hiking (no designated trail)
- Hunting (especially noted for waterfowl, deer, furbearers, rabbits, squirrels and turkey)
- Kayaking
- Snowshoeing (no designated trail)
- Trapping
- Wild edibles/gathering
- Wildlife viewing
Note: Permissible recreational activities listed may or may not be allowed within the boundaries of State Natural Areas. Please refer to the individual SNA webpage for further guidance on allowable activities within SNA boundaries.
Amenities
- Bathroom - none.
- Parking lot - there are multiple parking areas throughout the property.
- Campground and size - none.
- Trails, Types and Lengths - no official trails are maintained for public use; only staff access lanes are mowed occasionally for service and management.
Maps
Download [PDF] a map of this property.
Map I Series: Swan Lake Wildlife Area [PDF]
If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.
