Wildlife Areas
Wildlife Management Project Areas
- Central WI Grasslands Conservation Area
- SW WI Grassland & Stream Conservation Area
- Glacial Habitat
Restoration Areas - Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area
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Statewide Recreation Opportunities
Rat River Wildlife Area
Rat River Wildlife Area is located in Winnebago County, two miles north of Winchester. The state manages and owns approximately 4,000 acres.
Historically, the area was comprised of sedge meadows and marshes. Today, much of the property is dominated by canary grass, and wetter areas support a dense population of cattails. The Rat River runs east to west through the long, narrow property, and eventually flows to the Wolf River. Some lowland forest types are found on the property, as well as a few upland fields.
Find Rat River Wildlife Area north of HWYs 150 and 110 between Winchester and Zittau. Parking areas can be found on North Loop Road, County Highway M, Hillcrest Road, and Shady Lane.
Management
Management Objective
The Rat River WA is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, fishing, trapping and other outdoor recreation while protecting the qualities of the unique native communities and associated species found on the property. Current management objectives in wetland areas include maintaining the bottomland hardwood and swamp hardwood type and maintaining or restoring sedge meadow, emergent marsh and shrub-carr. Upland management objectives include maintaining and improving the grassland type on all sites and expanding grasslands where feasible by utilizing native grass and forbs. Where feasible, populations of invasive species are controlled or eliminated by cutting, pulling, burning, herbicide treatment and/or bio-control.
Recreation
The following recreational opportunities exist at Rat River Wildlife Area:
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Bird watching
- Canoeing
Map
Download [PDF 488KB] a map of this property.
Useful Links
For more information on Rat River Wildlife Area contact the property manager.
Questions for Wildlife Management
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