Lands_Content Page_Wolf River Fishery Area

Wolf River Fishery Area

DNR Fisheries Areas

The Wolf River Fishery Area is located in Mukwa Township in eastern Waupaca County, just west of New London and east of Northport. Current state ownership is 193.21 acres. The property consists of 3 small parcels on the north side of the Wolf River. State Hwy 54 and a railroad corridor traverse the site. Most of the property consists of floodplain forest of silver maple, green ash, and swamp white oak, with a terraced forest supporting some more mesic species such as basswood and red oak. This terrace forest has many understory plants not present in the wetter, silver maple-dominated stands. Other habitats found here include shrub swamp of willows and buttonbush and marsh and sedge meadows consisting of cattail, sedges, and reed canary grass. The FA provides spawning habitat for Northern pike, panfish, and suckers, as well as walleye, especially in high-water years.

The New London bypass ditch runs through the property. Also known as the Rasmussan Canal, this ditch was dug in the 1940's-50's to relieve flooding in downtown New London by allowing water on the Embarrass River to bypass the city and enter the Wolf River downstream of the town. The canal's success at relieving flooding for the city was marginal, but it did create a backwater area on the property that offers some wetland wildlife habitat. There also are several small dug potholes or impoundments on the property.

Currently, no developed recreational facilities exist on the property and access is limited. State Hwy 54, which forms the northern border of the property, is closed to parking, making access very difficult. In addition, a railroad corridor that traverses the site essentially divides the property in two from an access perspective, as public trespass is prohibited on the grade. The principal access to the property is from the Wolf River. Main recreational uses on this property are hunting, trapping, fishing, canoeing, and wildlife viewing.

Location/Directions

The Wolf River Fishery Area is located in Waupaca County in the Town of Mukwa. T22N R14E Sections 2,3 and 11.

Activities

Recreational Opportunities

  • Hunting
  • Trapping
  • Fishing
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Bird watching
  • Canoeing
  • Berry picking

Objective

The Wolf River Fishery Area is managed to enhance to the extent and quality of the floodplain forest and associated habitat types for the benefit of both game and non-game wildlife and to provide for opportunities for public hunting, fishing, trapping and other outdoor recreation.

Maps

Contacts/Partners

For questions and comments contact:

Wildlife Biologist
Department of Natural Resources
N2480 Hartman Creek Road
Waupaca WI 54981-9727 715-258-4778

Fisheries Biologist
Department of Natural Resources
647 Lakeland Drive
Shawano, WI 54166
(920) 420-9203