Wildlife Areas
Wildlife Management Project Areas
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- SW WI Grassland & Stream Conservation Area
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Restoration Areas - Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area
Other Recreation Lands
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Statewide Recreation Opportunities
St. Croix County Islands Wildlife Area and Apple River Canyon State Natural Area
St. Croix County Islands Wildlife Area and Apple River Canyon State Natural Area is a 1135 acre property (mainland, islands, and bed of Rice Lake) located in St. Croix County. The property consists of wetland (St. Croix River), lowland and upland hardwood, and grassland.
The St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area officially came into existence in 1946, when the St. Croix County Board sold most of the islands to the WDNR. In 1948, additional islands held by the county were purchased by the State. The total cost to acquire the majority of the wildlife area was $806.71 at this time. The Apple River Natural Area came into existence in 1977 when an additional 235 acres were added to the St. Croix Islands WA. The wildlife area is located entirely within the boundary of the Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Originally the State had a purchase goal of 1,409.1 acres for the St Croix Islands WA.
This area was once populated with Sioux, Fox and Chippewa Indians which trapped and riced the backwaters and islands of the St. Croix River.
Parts of the wildlife area and the Apple River canyon were logged between 1839-1920. Isolated stands of red and white pine left from this era can still be seen in the canyon. Settlement began in the 1800’s along the St. Croix River near Hudson. Early settlers lived by trapping or logging. Later, homesteads sprang up along the St. Croix and on the bluffs above the Apple River. Many of these properties that were once farms are now being subdivided to provide homes for the expanding populations of nearby Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Find the property from Somerset by taking County Road I North for ~ three miles, then head west on 208th Ave down to Apple River Canyon Wildlife Area, or remain on County Road I an additional ¼ mile and head west on 210th Ave, stay on 210th Ave. for 1 mile until 410th St, take 410th St. north for ½ mile, then head west again on Rice Lake Rd., ~ ½ mile down on left will be pull off parking and canoe/shallow draft boat access to Rice lake (back waters of the St. Croix River).
Management
Management Objective
The St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area is located in the Western Prairie Ecological landscape and is identified as a place for large river corridor and floodplain forest community conservation in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan. The property is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, trapping, fishing, wildlife observation, and other nature-based outdoor recreation. Management objectives include restoring temporary and seasonal wetlands, protection of the ecological gradient from lowlands to uplands along the floodplain corridor, and control of invasive species.
Recreation
The following recreational opportunities exist at St. Croix County Islands Wildlife Area and Apple River Canyon State Natural Area:
- Hunting - whitetail deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, small game, and possibly black bear
- Trapping
- Hiking
- Pets (Note)
- Berry picking
- Cross Country Skiing (no designated trails)
- Snow Shoeing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Bird watching
- Canoeing
- Falconry by permit
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Map
Download [PDF 310KB] a map of this property.
Useful Links
For more information on St. Croix County Islands Wildlife Area and Apple River Canyon State Natural Area contact the property manager.
Questions for Wildlife Management
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