Emmons Creek Fishery Area

Emmons Creek Fishery Area is approximately 1500 acres and is located in southeastern Portage County and southwestern Waupaca County. Access is off County HWY D by way of Fountain Lake Road or Stratton Lake Road. The property lies along the southern edge of Hartman Creek State Park.

The property follows the 4.5 mile meandering path of Emmons Creek. It is regarded as a cold water trout fishery. The creek originates at the 15.4 acre Fountain Lake and has inputs from 5 feeder streams and 2 spring ponds. There is a fair amount of bottomland shrub floodplain adjacent to the creek and its feeder streams. Strongly rolling upland surrounds the Emmons Creek corridor. Open areas from historical farming operations and Red Pine stands intermix with upland hardwoods in the rolling hills. The Ice Age Trail passes through the property giving easy access to viewing all the different habitats.

Management

Management Objective

Parcels in the project area were acquired starting in 1957 to protect the Emmons Creek corridor. Today, numerous trout stream improvements occur annually throughout the property. The endangered Karner Blue Butterfly can be found in the natural and manmade openings where its’ larval food source Lupine grows. Old fields from past farming practices, many of which have been planted with native grasses and forbs (including Lupine) now support the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly.