Whalen Creek Fish and Wildlife Area
Whalen Creek Fish and Wildlife Area is a 188-acre property located in central Washburn County, 1.5 miles north of Whalen Lake. Access can be found at the end of Jacobson Road or off the west side of Lakeside Road, 4 miles north of Trego.
The property consists of headwater springs and wetlands of Whalen Creek and beautiful rolling oak, aspen, mixed hardwood, pine and grass openings.
The headwater springs of Whalen Creek were protected by purchases of land starting in the early 1960s due to being high quality brook trout water. The reach of Whalen Creek running through the property is a class 1 trout stream.
Presently, the Wild River Recreation Trail, which was once a main railroad grade, cuts through the Whalen Creek property. This multi-use trail allows walking, bicycling, running horseback riding, snowshoeing, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, ATVing and snowmobiling.
Management Objectives
Whalen Creek is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, trapping, fishing and other outdoor recreation while protecting the qualities of the unique native communities and associated species found on the property. The aspen cover type is maintained through coppice cutting at rotation age to regenerate the type. Oak is maintained through timber management. The balance of the property is passively managed to protect the headwaters of the creek. 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 Whalen Creek Fish and Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:
- ATV trail;
- Birding;
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail);
- Fishing;
- Hiking (no designated trail);
- Hunting;
- Snowshoeing;
- Snowmobiling trail;
- Trapping;
- Wild edibles/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.
