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Mount Vernon Creek Fishery Area

DNR Fisheries Areas

Mount Vernon Creek is classified as a trout stream for its entire length and is what the property is known for in terms of outdoor recreation. About four of its almost eight miles are class 1 trout waters, with the remainder rated class 2. The class 1 portion of the stream has been elevated to Outstanding Resource Water (ORW) status, providing it with a higher level of protection. The remainder of the stream is classified as Exceptional Resource Waters (ERW) under the state's anti-degradation rules. Sources of polluted runoff threaten parts of this stream. Lowland-riparian marsh wetlands compliment the creek.

Uplands consist of oak woods and a few remnant prairies. These grasslands are old pasture converting back to original vegetation. There are planted prairie grass fields and a newly planted tree pine plantation site that harbors nursing oak. The rolling area hills give the property the charm of diverse topography.

A well-known spring sits on the northwestern parcel of the property. There is an observation platform that Dane County has graciously built with the help of the Friends of Donald Park. In the 1800s the pioneers used the spring. Later family groups came out by horse and buggy from Mount Horeb to picnic next to the cool spring.

Dane County and the Friends of Donald Park helped build the observation platform over the old spring and individual members of the volunteer group continue to help steward the northern parcel. These acres along with the eastern parcel have also seen countless efforts by individual members from the Deer Creek Sportsmen's Club.

Location/Directions

This property is broken into two main parcels in Dane County. Forty-nine acres sit on the northwest corner of the town of Mount Vernon along the southern side of Highway 82 leading into town. Another 286 acres abut Highway 92 and begin just after you exit Mount Vernon on the northeast side of town.

Activities

Angling opportunities

This property harbors one of DNR's most famous restored trout streams in Wisconsin.

Recreational Opportunities

  • Hunting - not stocked for pheasants
  • Trapping
  • Hiking
  • Snowmobiling trail
  • Geocaching (with property manager approval)
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Fishing - Trout
  • Bird watching
  • Auto travel (Highway 92)
  • Berry picking

Objective

Contacts/Partners

For questions and comments contact:

Fisheries Biologist
Department of Natural Resources
3911 Fish Hatchery Road
Fitchburg WI 53711
608-275-3225

Partners:

Friends of Donald Park [exit DNR]