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Statewide Recreation Opportunities
Gilbert Creek Fishery and Wildlife Area
Gilbert Creek Fishery and Wildlife Area is a 241 acre property approximately 7 miles west of Menomonie on State Hwy. 29. This property is divided into two units. The unit west of County Hwy. Q can be accessed via driveway parking off of Hwy. 29. The unit east of County Hwy. Q has several parking areas providing access. Two parking lots are located on the east side of Hwy. Q and a third is located on the south side of County Hwy. N. Driveway parking is also available on the north side of Hwy. N.
The north and south forks of Gilbert Creek are the predominant features of the eastern portion of this property. These narrow, cold water trout streams meander through a considerable portion of the eastern unit. The area bounding the creeks is primarily an open landscape comprised of marsh and savanna. North of Hwy. N in the eastern unit is a wooded hillside.
The western unit is comprised of primarily lowland brush transitioning to central hardwoods on the hillside.
Management
Management Objective
Acquisition of lands for the Gilbert Creek Fishery and Wildlife Area began in the early '60's to protect and provide public access to Gilbert Creek and the associated wetland complex. Land acquisition is still active in this area today, primarily through the Fisheries program, in an effort to protect and restore trout habitat in the creek.
Extensive grazing had caused a great deal of degradation to the stream banks of Gilbert Creek creating a poor fishery. Since the mid 2000's, the primary management objective on this property has been the restoration of the Creek and the adjacent uplands.
Department trout habitat crews have worked extensively to restore the banks and channels of both forks of the Creek to their pre-grazed conditions. This restoration has included bank stabilization and placement of structures within the creek. In addition, work has been done on the uplands to remove unwanted brush and trees such as boxelders. The open areas have also been planted to a mix of warm and cool season grasses.
The wooded portions of this property are monitored for invasive species and are managed as wooded wildlife habitat.
Recreation
The following recreational opportunities exist at Gilbert Creek Fishery and Wildlife Area:
- Hunting - deer, bear, turkey, pheasant, waterfowl, small game
- Trapping
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Berry picking
- Fishing
- Bird watching
- Pets (Note)
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Map
Download [PDF 241KB] a map of this property.
Conservation Groups
The Dunn County Fish and Game Association and Trout Unlimited have been key partners in the restoration efforts on this property. Both have provided considerable support both financially and by providing manual labor.
Useful Links
For more information on Gilbert Creek Fishery and Wildlife Area contact the property manager.
Questions for Wildlife Management
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