Report fish and wildlife violations to the Turn in Poachers (TIP) Program by calling 1-800-532-2020. Provide as much information as possible while remaining annonymous. A conservation officer will be dispatched to investigate.
Poaching is a Crime! Please report fish and wildlife violations to the Turn in Poachers (TIP) Program by calling 1-800-532-2020. Provide as much information as possible while remaining anonymous. A conservation officer will be dispatched to investigate.
The WCCB has adopted a resolution against bringing quarantined firewood
into our county parks and wildlife areas. Recently, the Emerald Ash Borer was discovered in Iowa.
The EAB is a very destructive pest
that has already destroyed tens of millions of trees around the Great Lakes.
As a result, the WCCB, at its July 12th, 2010 meeting, adopted the following resolution: In accordance
with state and federal guidelines, the Conservation Board hereby
prohibits the importation of firewood from select states under the
federal Emerald Ash Borer quaratine and/or Iowa counties under the Iowa
Department of Land Stewardship quarantine, and is hereby adopted for
all lands and areas under the Conservation Board's control. Please be aware of this if you are planning to visit our county areas.
If you have any questions, contact our office.
For more information about the Emerald Ash Borer, visitemeraldashborer.info.
An asterisk
(*) denotes an area that is part of the Winnebago River Greenbelt.
Located 3 miles north of
Forest City on Highway 69
(N43°19.676'/
W93°38.488'--west entrance)
(N43°19.302'/W93°38.228'--east entrance)
Hunting Allowed
- Upland Hunting / Wetland Hunting Fishing
- Lake (32 acres)/ River Boating Allowed
- Canoeing / Electric Motors Only Picnicking
- Picnic Tables / Grills / Open Shelter Water
- Drinking Water / Pit Toilets Special Note - Playground
Formerly a rest area, this multi-use complex now contains a mixture of
uplands and wetlands, providing excellent wildlife habitat. Located
along the Winnebago River, and containing 21 acres of ponds, this area
is especially popular for fishing. Fish include northern pike,
largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegills. A canoe access to the river is
also available.
Located 1 mile north of Lake Mills on R74
(N43°26.792'/ W93°32.249')
Hunting Allowed
- Upland Hunting / Forest Hunting
Made up primarily of burr oak timber, and located adjacent to the
Larson-Tweed Wildlife Area, this area is a popular location for turkey
and deer hunting.
Hunting Allowed
- Upland Hunting / Wetland Hunting / Forest Hunting Fishing
- Stream / River
Special Note -Geocache
Named after founding WCCB member, Dr. Carroll Block, the area consists
of restored prairie uplands and wetlands as well as Winnebago River
bottoms. An abandoned railroad right-of-way containing native prairie
cuts through the middle of the area. Several winter-cover food plots.
This area is popular with hunters seeking waterfowl, upland birds,
deer, and wild turkey.
Located 4 miles northwest of Lake Mills on A16
(N43°27.992'/
W93°34.412')
Hunting Allowed
- Upland Hunting / Wetland Hunting / Forest Hunting Fishing
- Stream / River Camping
- Electric Sites (8 sites-$5/night) Boating Allowed
- Canoeing /Gas Motors Allowed Picnicking
- Picnic Tables / Grills / Open Shelter Water
- Drinking Water/ Pit Toilets Special Note
- Playground
Located along the Winnebago River, Dahle Park offers good fishing
opportunities, especially for northern pike, in the river and in
several adjacent ponds. Situated in a quiet oak timber, the park also
provides camping with electricity and water. Canoe access to the river
is also available.
Located 4 miles west of Thompson on Highway 9
and a half mile south
(N43°22.660'/
W93°51.133')
Hunting Allowed - Upland Hunting Fishing
- Lake (3 acres) Boating Allowed
- Canoeing / Electric Motors Only Picnicking
- Picnic Tables / Grills Special Note
- Playground
With a renovated, 3-acre, spring-fed fishing pond, Florence provides
anglers with a good opportunity to
land bluegills, largemouth bass, and catfish. The area also contains a
restored prairie and is popular with
pheasant hunters.
Located along U.S. Hwy 9 between Golf Course Rd. in Forest City and
205th Ave.
(N43°16.211'/W93°37.602'--west trailhead)
Trails
- Hiking / Biking
Managed by the WCCB, this asphalt trail is located within the roadside
right-of-way of Hwy 9. Popular with
bicyclists, walkers, joggers, and roller bladers. No motorized vehicles
area permitted.
Located 9 1/2 miles south of Buffalo Center on R20
(N43°15.736'/W93°54.710')
Hunting Allowed
- Forest Hunting
This area was the first to be acquired by the Winnebago County
Conservation Board. Today, this wooded
area contains a mix of cottonwoods, willows, and red cedars, and is a
popular spot for deer and squirrel
hunting. A foot trail also meanders through the area.
Located 8 miles south of Buffalo Center on A42
(N43°17.063'/W93°56.234')
Hunting Allowed
- Upland Hunting (restricted) Fishing
- Lake (1 acre) Water
- Flush Toilets Special Note
- Golf Course / Restaurant
Willed to the Board in 1968 by Bert Gruis, this area contains a 9-hole
public golf course, complete with
a driving range and clubhouse. There is also a popular restaurant
adjacent to the clubhouse. Some restricted hunting is allowed on the
area. For more information, call 641-926-5393.
Located between 212th Ave.
and the railroad right-of-way
(N43°26.172'/
W93°33.145')
Hunting Allowed
- Upland Hunting
Native prairie containing over 70 varieties of wildflowers and grasses.
Please no seed harvesting.
Thousands of years ago, the glaciers retreated from north Iowa, leaving
bluffs, such as the one here,
standing over adjacent marshlands. This area contains a mixed oak
forest, as well as a nice mixture of
woodland wildflowers and native grasses. The timbered areas are
especially popular with deer, squirrel,
and turkey hunters, and waterfowl hunters take advantage of the
extensive wetlands at the foot of the bluff. And a new shooting range at the entrance helps hunters hone their skills!
Adjacent to the Winnebago River, this area is the location of
€œStoney Fjord,€� a popular spot for spring northern pike
fishing. Across the railroad to the south, the area continues with
river bottom habitat and
additional uplands.
12. Holland Prairie Conservation & Youth Hunting Area (225 acres) * - VIEW AERIAL MAP
Located 2
miles north of Leland and 1/2 mile east of the junction of Highways 9
& 69
(N43°22.272'/W93°37.188'--west parking lot)
(N43°22.299'/W93°36.715'--east parking lot)
(N43°22.019'/W93°36.718'--south parking lot)
Hunting Allowed
- Upland Hunting / Wetland Hunting / Forest Hunting (Hunting is restricted to youth aged 15 and under. See information below.) Fishing
- Stream / River
This is the county's first ever hunting & wildlife area
specifically for youth. It provides young people with the opportunity
to have quality hunting and outdoor experiences by allowing only young
hunters, aged 15 and under, to hunt the area, as long as they are
accompanied by a licensed adult, 21 years and over. A free permit is
required of the hunters and can be obtained here. The permit allows for one youth and one adult per hunting outing. No more that two permits will be issued simultaneously.
The
area is also open to youth for fishing, nature study, and other
compatible uses, but no trapping is allowed on the area. Youth
organizations are encouraged to utilize the area, as well. The idea is
to encourage more young people to participate in outdoor recreational
opportunities and to hopefully carry those experiences into adulthood.
Located 3 miles W of Lake Mills at the intersection of 190th Ave. and
440th St.
(N43°24.044'/W93°35.900'--Jensen north parking lot)
(N43°23.174'/W93°35.827'--Kvale area)
Divided by the Winnebago River, which flows through the area, this
tract contains restored prairie and wetlands, as well as a 5-acre
woodlot. A winter-cover food plot usually is planted on the west side
of the river.
Located 2 1/2 miles west of Lake
Mills on Highway 69, 1 1/2 miles north
(N43°26.675'/
W93°34.635')
(N43°26.530'/
W93°35.806'--west pond)
Hunting Allowed
- Upland Hunting / Wetland Hunting Fishing
- Stream / River Boating Allowed
- Canoeing / Gas Motors Allowed Special Note - Geocache
Set in a natural floodplain of the Winnebago River, this area contains
natural and restored wetlands,
uplands, and fishing ponds. It was the site of a log cabin used by an
early Winnebago County settler, which can now be observed in its
restored state at Heritage Park of North Iowa in Forest City.
Like the Hogsback Wildlife Area, this area also contains a
glacially-formed ridge. Situated in an oak-
savanna setting, this wildlife area also consists of native and
restored prairies, as well as wetlands, and is quite popular with deer
and turkey hunters.
Christina
Mathilda was the
first child to die in the township..
This
small cemetery is a true "pioneer cemetery," providing the final
resting places of some of Winnebago County's first residents. Although
the cemetery dates back over 130 years, its management became the job
of the Winnebago County Conservation Board in the 1990's. The Board
took on the responsibility after "discovering" that the area was also
an excellent example of a virgin prairie, containing an abundance of
native grasses and wildflowers, untouched over the years.
18. Luke Rossiter Wildlife Area (51 acres)
- VIEW AERIAL MAP
Located 1 1/2 miles south of Thompson on R34, 3 miles west
(N43°20.722'/W93°49.976')
This area was acquired in 1987, using money from the sale of habitat
stamps. It is an excellent example
of what Winnebago County looked like when the first settlers arrived in
the 1800's. It contains both native
and restored wetlands and prairies and many deer. It is also a good
area to see summer wildflowers.
Set along the Winnebago River, and adjacent to the Winnebago River
Trail, this area is comprised of
natural wetlands, prairies, and oak and willow woodlands. It was
purchased with habitat stamp money,
along with money donated by Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and the
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. In the fall, it becomes a popular
waterfowl hunting area.
20. Osmundson Slough (157 acres)
Located 3 miles south and 2 miles east of Thompson on 380th Street
This scenic area contains eleven natural and restored wetlands, as well
as native prairie and restored uplands. The mix of habitat makes for
excellent waterfowl, pheasant, and deer hunting. It was purchases with
Habitat Stamp and REAP money, as well as grants from Pheasants Forever
and the North American Wetland Conservation Act.
This is the only public area in the NW corner of Winnebago County. It
contains a restored prairie and wetlands, as well as winter-cover food
plots. This area is popular with upland bird and early-season waterfowl
hunters.
The Winnebago River flows through this area. There is a restored
prairie, as well as wetlands and some timber along the river. This area
is popular with waterfowl, upland bird, and deer hunters. Winter-cover
food plots grow on both sides of the river.
Located 7 1/2 miles west of Forest City on B14, 1 1/2 miles north
(N43°15.528'/W93°46.268')
Hunting Allowed
- Upland Hunting / Wetland Hunting (Turkey hunting is not allowed at the Russ Wildlife Area.) Trails
- Hiking / CX Skiing / Equestrian Special Note - Geocache
Lying just adjacent to the west side of Thorpe Park, the Russ Area is a
fine example of past glacial activity
in north central Iowa, containing a 40-acre march surrounded by rolling
hills. Oak timber covers some of the hills, as do areas of natural and
restored prairie grasses. A trail winds through the area, and an
observation deck along the trail provides visitors with a panoramic
view.
24. Ryerson Tract (80 acres)
Located 2 1/2 miles east of Thompson, 1 mile north, and 1/4 mile east on 430th Street
(N43°23.144'/W93°42.503')
This area, purchased with grants from Pheasants Forever and the North
American Wetland Conservation Act, contains restored wetlands and
uplands. Hunters can enjoy hunting waterfowl, pheasants, and deer.
Located 5 1/2 miles west of
Forest City on B14, 1 1/2 miles north, 1 mile west
(N43°15.761'/
W93°45.219')
Hunting Allowed - Upland Hunting / Wetland Hunting /
Forest Hunting (Hunting
Restrictions--Turkey hunting is not allowed at Thorpe Park. Waterfowl
hunting is not allowed on Thorpe Park's Lake Catherine. Deer hunting at
Thorpe Park is by permit only.) Fishing
- Lake (15 acres) Camping
- Electric (13 sites-$12/night), Non-Electric Sites (2 sites-$8/night) Boating Allowed - Canoeing / Electric Motors Only Picnicking
- Picnic Tables / Grills / Open Shelter Water
- Drinking Water / Pit Toilets Special Notes - Playground, Geocache
This park houses the offices of the Winnebago County Conservation Board
and is truly a "multiple use" area. It contains a wetland that is
popular with waterfowl hunters in the fall, and 15-area Lake Catherine,
which provides a quiet fishing spot year-round. Much of the park is
made up of an oak-hickory savanna with numerous prairie areas. A
learning center along the lake provides an excellent spot for
environmental education programs, as well. The park is also the site of
a Trumpeter Swan restoration project and is popular with family campers
and picnickers.
Located 5 1/2 miles west of Forest City on B14, 1 mile north
(N43°15.334'/93°44.792'--east parking lot)
(N43°15.330'/93°45.208'--west parking lot)
Hunting Allowed
- Upland Hunting / Wetland Hunting / Forest Hunting (Turkey hunting is not allowed at the Thorpe Recreation Area.)
Lying adjacent to Thorpe Park, this area also contains an extensive
oak-hickory savanna, an upland
prairie, and a 30-acre wetland. Popular with bow-hunters, it is
accessible from either the east side or from Thorpe Park.
28. Winnebago County Home Farm
(568 acres) - VIEW AERIAL MAP
Located 4 miles south Lake Mills
on R72
(N43°21.426'/
W93°33.422')
Hunting Allowed
- Upland Hunting / Wetland Hunting (200 acres on the east side of the
area are open to hunting and trapping only after most of the crops have
been harvested in the fall. "Public Hunting" signs will be posted at
that time.)
Gifted to Winnebago County in the 1930's, the
farm is now enrolled in the Wetland Reserve Program. Its rolling hills
have been restored to prairie and its bottomlands now contain wetlands.
Upland bird, deer, and waterfowl hunters use the area in the fall.
(NOTE: The area north of 410th St. is designated as a Canada Goose
Refuge.)
This area provides a canoe access to the Winnebago River, and also
contains a natural marsh and an
upland timber area.
30. Winnebago River Water Trail (27 miles)*
North access at Dahle Park, south access at Pammel Park in Forest City
Additional accesses are located at
the Lande River Conservation Area and at the
Ambroson Recreation Area
Fishing
- Stream / River Boating Allowed - Canoeing See specific accesses for other amenities.
This is Iowa's newest designated water trail! Put in at Dahle Park, the
Lande River Conservation Area, or the Ambroson Recreation Area and
enjoy a leisurely float down the river! What will you see along the
way? Check out the official trail kiosk here!
Click here to download the Winnebago River Trail map.
