Lands_Content Page_Casey Lake Wildlife Area

Casey Lake Wildlife Area

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The Casey Lake Wildlife Area is a 364-acre property located in central St. Croix County. The property protects 0.86 miles of shoreline on Casey Lake and consists of northern hardwoods/aspen forest (155 acres), open grassland and restored prairie (176 acres) and wetland habitat (33 acres). A Class 2 dog training area is located on the northwest corner of the wildlife area. Casey Lake provides a limited fishing opportunity as it is a shallow lake that often experiences winter kills. The property is managed as part of the Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area, a landscape-scale wetland and grassland restoration project.

The property is located 6 miles northwest of Baldwin. Follow Highway 63 north out of Baldwin, then turn west on 130th Avenue for 1 mile. The property is located on the south side of 130th Avenue, where two parking lots allow easy access.

Management Objectives

The original purchase for the property occurred in 1974, as 209 acres were purchased to protect Casey Lake. In 2009, an adjoining 155 acres were purchased to bring the total acreage to 364 acres.

The property is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, trapping, wildlife observation and other nature-based outdoor recreation. Management objectives aim to maintain an open grassland community through prescribed fire, mechanical and chemical control of woody species and limited haying and grazing. The forested portions of the property are managed to perpetuate aspen cover type to promote young forest habitat for wildlife. Populations of invasive species are controlled or eliminated by cutting, pulling, burning, herbicide treatment and/or bio-control.

For more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state, visit the property planning page.

Recreation

The Casey Lake Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:

  • Birding;
  • Canoeing;
  • Cross-country skiing (no designated trail);
  • Falconry (by permit);
  • Hiking;
  • Hunting (especially noted for pheasant, deer, grouse, woodcock and waterfowl);
  • Snowshoeing;
  • Trapping;
  • Wild edible/gathering; and
  • Wildlife viewing.

Maps

Download [PDF] a map of this property.

If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.

Adopt a Fish or Wildlife Area

Find out more about how to adopt this wildlife area.