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Statewide Recreation Opportunities
Collins Marsh Wildlife Area
Collins Marsh Wildlife Area is a 4,200 acre property located in Manitowoc County. Find it approximately 12 miles west of Manitowoc and 2 miles south of Reedsville. You can access the property on the west from CTH W, from the south on CTH JJ, on the east by Quarry, Einberger, and Collins Marsh Road, and on the north by Hilltop Road. The property is comprised mostly of marsh, wetlands, grasslands and bottomland hardwood forest.
History of Property
In 1946, the Wisconsin Conservation Department leased the marsh and surrounding uplands as public hunting grounds. A land purchase program was initiated in 1959. A local organization, Conservation Education Inc. raised more than $20,000 toward the purchase of Collins Marsh Wildlife Area. During the 1960’s, the Department installed a dam across Mud Creek, which impounded water and maintained marsh conditions year round. This impoundment proved to be an important Canada goose migration destination that is still utilized today. Managers created smaller impoundments in the 1980’s and early 90’s to add more wetland habitat.
Management
Management Objective
Collins Marsh is managed primarily for wetland wildlife. A variety of birds make the marsh their home, including osprey, herons, black terns, marsh wrens, sedge wrens, and yellow headed blackbirds. Muskrats are abundant, while mink and otter are commonly observed. The grassy uplands provide hunting opportunities for ring-necked pheasants, cottontail rabbits, and mourning doves, as well as habitat for bobolinks, sandhill cranes and northern harriers.
Recreation
The following recreational opportunities exist at Collins Marsh Wildlife Area:
- Hunting - waterfowl, small game, deer. Note: Waterfowl refuge closed to all public access from Sept. 1 through Dec. 5th with the exception of firearm deer hunting.
- Trapping
- Hiking
- Pets (Note)
- Snowmobile Trail
- Wildlife viewing - Parking lot off of Hwy JJ adjacent the dam provides a great view of the marsh
- Bird watching
- Fishing
- Canoeing
- Dog training area - located on the gravel road accessed from county highway JJ. Training area is the pond and area immediately around the pond.
- Collins Marsh Nature Center [Exit DNR]
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Map
Download [PDF 314KB] a map of this property.
Useful Links
For more information on Collins Marsh Wildlife Area contact the property manager.
Questions for Wildlife Management
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