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
Other Recreation Lands
- State Parks
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Statewide Recreation Opportunities
White River Marsh Wildlife Area
White River Marsh Wildlife Area is a 12,000 acre property in northwest corner of Green Lake County and northeast corner of Marquette County. Find it approximately 6 miles north of the city of Princeton on Cty Hwy D, or approximately 3 miles west of the city of Berlin on Cty Hwy F. The property consists of open marsh/wet meadow, swamp hardwoods/tamarack swamp, upland prairie/oak savannah and shrub carr.
Please note: There is a No Entry Wildlife Refuge located on the southwest corner of the White River Marsh Wildlife Area for the training and releasing of Whooping Cranes. The No Entry Wildlife Refuge is closed to all public access from June 15th through October 15th.
Management
History of Management
The preliminary project and first Land Acquisition on the White River Marsh was approved by the Wisconsin Conservation Commission on March 30th 1962. Aldo Leopold had investigated the marsh in the 1940’s and recommended Federal or State purchase of the marsh for conservation purposes. Prairie Chickens and bobwhite quail were abundant on the marsh.
Much of the uplands were farmed for row or small grain crops and most of the wetlands were drained or altered for farming. The marsh grass (sedge, bluejoint and prairie cordgrass) was used for cattle feed, bedding and for production of carpet fiber at factories in Oshkosh. The marshes were cut by horse drawn equipment and shipped to Oshkosh via the lock and dam system on the Fox River.
Management Objective
Current management programs include wetland restoration and water level manipulation in the impoundments, upland dry prairie restoration to promote Karner Blue Butterflies and other grassland related wildlife, oak savannah restoration. Mourning dove habitat manipulation for banding and hunting opportunities on sunflower and other crop fields.
Recreation
The following recreational opportunities exist at White River Marsh Wildlife Area:
- Hunting - pheasant (2pm closure rules apply)**
- Trapping
- Hiking
- Snowmobiling Trail
- Biking – town road only
- Pets (Note)
- Auto travel - a Rustic Road bisects much of the wildlife area that provides an excellent wildlife viewing opportunity
- Berry picking
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Bird watching
- Canoeing
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**There is a No Entry Wildlife Refuge located on the southwest corner of the White River Marsh Wildlife Area for the training and releasing of Whooping Cranes. The No Entry Wildlife Refuge is closed to all public access from June 15th through October 15th.
Map
Download [PDF 374KB] a map of this property.
Useful Links
- Hunting in Wisconsin
- Hunting and Trapping Regulations
- Season Dates
- Marquette County and Green Lake County Information [Exit DNR]
- Plan your trip to Marquette and Green Lake Counties [Exit DNR]
For more information on White River Marsh Wildlife Area contact the property manager.
Questions for Wildlife Management
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