French Creek Wildlife Area
French Creek Wildlife Area is a 3,506-acre property located in Columbia County. Find it 6 miles northeast of Portage on Highway F. The wildlife area includes disjunct ownership in the towns of Fort Winnebago and Marcellon in Columbia County and the town of Buffalo in Marquette County.
Prior to the establishment of the state wildlife area in 1947, the marshland was once devoted to the production of "wire-grass," a native plant used in the manufacturing of grass rugs and matting and later was subject to grazing and the occasional harvest of wild hay by farmers. Early settlers regularly hunted prairie chicken in the French Creek area. Today the property is primarily managed to focus on waterfowl production and hunting opportunities.
Management Objectives
Current management objectives focus on protecting the watersheds of French and Spring Creeks and managing for primarily native flora. This includes maintaining existing grasslands, savannas, fens, tamarack bogs and sedge meadows and seeking opportunities to increase 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 autumn olive 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. Flowages will be drawn down approximately every two to five years to stabilize floating cattail bogs and allow vegetation to emerge as a food source for wildlife. Woodlands are managed in a manner that limits the spread of oak wilt and encourages regeneration of oak and hickory.
For more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state, visit the property planning page.
Master Plan
The Natural Resources Board approved a new master plan in December 2012 for this property as well as 19 other state fish and wildlife properties and associated state natural areas. These properties are mostly within Columbia County, but portions lie within Dane, Marquette and Sauk counties.
For more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state, visit the property planning page.
Recreation
The French Creek Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:
- Birding;
- Canoeing;
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail);
- Dog training (class two dog training grounds, closed during nesting season);
- Fishing;
- Hiking (no designated trail);
- Hunting (especially noted for deer, turkey [Zone 3], mourning doves, waterfowl [note the "waterfowl closed area"], rabbit and squirrel);
- Trapping;
- Wild edibles/gathering; and
- Wildlife viewing.
Maps
Download [PDF] a map of this property.
Map D Series: French Creek Wildlife Area [PDF]
If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.
Find out more about how to adopt this wildlife area.