Germania Marsh Wildlife Area

Management

History of Management

The Germania Dam Company built the first dam and mill in Germania in 1867 which created a large shallow flowage of several thousands acres called Germania Lake. In 1902 the dam was removed to permit the farmers to harvest wild rice which was soon abandoned due to poor economic return.

In 1948, a committee of game managers inspected the area as a potential restoration project and the favorable report and the engineering surveys which followed indicated that the area had a good water supply and was suitable for flooding. The preliminary project and first Land Acquisition on the Germania Marsh was approved by the Wisconsin Conservation Commission on September 9th 1955 as a wetland restoration project.

The current Germania Marsh Dam (Lower Dike) was completed on October 13th 1959 and was modified and repaired in 1999 after vandals had dumped sand into the gear mechanism that moves the water control gate.

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, and mourning dove habitat manipulation for banding and hunting opportunities.

Recreation

The following recreational opportunities exist at Germania Marsh Wildlife Area:

Hunting - there is a Waterfowl Closed Area on the east side of the wildlife area that is closed to all hunting during the waterfowl season Trapping Hiking Snowmobiling Trail Pets (Note)

Auto travel Berry picking Fishing Wildlife Viewing Bird watching Canoeing

Map

Download [PDF 220KB] a map of this property.

Useful Links

• Hunting in Wisconsin
• Hunting and Trapping Regulations
• Season Dates
• Marquette County Information [Exit DNR]
• Plan your trip to Marquette County [Exit DNR]