Area Information > Wisconsin Public Land > Juneau County  | Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

Necedah Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Trail

The Visitor Center Hiking Trail consists of two trails: the smaller Muskrat Loop of 0.25 miles and the larger Karner Loop 0.75 miles totaling 1 mile.  The trail starts right at the visitor’s center and takes you to the bridge over Rynearson Pool #1 where you can see anything from Painted Turtles to Canadian Geese to even fish.  From the bridge you can take a seat and observe the Wisconsin Wildlife through a fixed Spotting Scope by a park bench.  Walking farther into the refuge on a boardwalk you’ll hear the sounds of song birds, frogs and other swamp creatures.  Heading up the hill on the gravel path during certain times of the year you’ll see a wide variety of butterflies including the Karner Blue Butterfly which the trail loop was named after.  On top of the hill at one of the observation areas the trail gives you a 360 panoramic view of wetland and rolling terrain with wildlife all around.  Walking up to Rynearson Pool #2 on a long boardwalk among the wetland grasses the scenery is filled with frogs in the warmer months of the year.  Heading back to the Visitor’s Center you’ll pass the butterfly garden which is next to one of the Necedah Wildlife Refuge buildings.

Visitor Center Trail

Overall, this Hiking Trail has probably the most diversity of all the Wildlife Refuges trails: Grasslands, Wetlands, Marsh, Swamps, Savanna, Types of Forest Trees, Insects, Reptiles, Amphibians, Migratory Birds, Waterfowl, Animals and even the trail itself with boardwalks, gravel, terrain and the bridge by the Visitor’s Center.

Main Page – Visitors Center | Visitors Center Trail | Suk Cernery Flowage | Sprague Mather Flowage | Observation Tower | Observation Tower Trail | Lupine Loop Trail | Observation Deck | Harvey’s Pond | Sprague Flowage | Goose Pool | Park Entrance | Boghauter Trail | White – Trail Loop | Refuge Area | Wildlife | Homes & Cabins | Land & Acreage | Photo Gallery | MAP

Visitor Center Trail Photos

NECEDAH WILDLIFE REFUGE PHOTO GALLERY!

Types of Wisconsin Wildlife & Animals You might see on the Visitors Center Hiking Trail Loops

• White-Tail Deer
• Eastern Wildlife Turkey
• Black Bear
• Beaver
• Musk Rats
• Coyotes
• Timber Wolves
• Badgers
• River Otters
• Fishers
• Squirrels
• Chipmunks

 Necedah National Wildlife Center

Birds, Waterfowl, Hawks, Eagles, Cranes and Birds of Prey

• Eastern Wildlife Turkey
• Canadian Geese
• Great Blue Heron
• Ducks
• Pelicans
• Whooping Cranes
• Sandhill Cranes
• Bald Eagles
• Wood Peckers
• Cooper’s Hawk
• Black Tern
• Song Birds
• Robins
• Ring Necked Ducks
• Mallard Ducks
• American Wigeon
• Redhead
• Cardinals
• Turkey Vultures
• Osprey
• Northern Harrier
• Barred Owl
• Golden Eagle
• Red-Tailed Hawk
• American Kestrel
• Bobolink

Reptiles, Amphibians & Insects

• Turtles
• Frogs
• Toads
• Snakes
• Karner Blue Butterfly
• Monarch Butterflies
• Ringed Boghaurnter Dragonfly
• Five Lined Skink
• Green Darner
• Milk Snake
• Water Scopion
• Brown Bats
• Garden Snakes
• Pine Snakes
• Snapping Turtle
• Painted Turtle

Necedah Wildlife Refuge

Many years ago glaciers were beginning to form The Central Wisconsin Swamp that later became what is now a natural refuge that is home to many varieties of plants and animals.  This area of Wisconsin has a history that is rich in Native American culture.  In 1939, President Roosevelt declared 43,000 acres of land in Wisconsin as the Necedah Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.  Part of this area is now the Necedah Wildlife Refuge. It is a popular branch in the National Wildlife Refuge System that contains over 500 refuges consisting of a whopping 92 million acres!  If you are to get the chance to visit this amazing landmark, the best time to view the different wildlife is either during early morning and/or evening.

The Necedah Wildlife Refuge entertains and educates about 150,000 visitors each year.  It is a haven for waterfowl, deer, turkeys, song birds, & other species.  Every year it hosts, “The Whooping Crane Festival,” which features a pancake breakfast, bus tours of the wildlife refuge, and much more fun for the whole family! (The Whooping Crane Organization has moved to Baraboo) But more than that, it creates an awareness of the uncertain future and delicate existence of the Whooping Crane in nature.  It is crucial to support of the efforts of the folks dedicated to help keep this spectacular species flourishing.  This will help ensure they will survive for the enjoyment of generations to come.  

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Other Area Public Land in Wisconsin

• Buckhorn State Park
• Sandhill State Wildlife Area
• Meadow Valley Barrens State Natural Area
• Yellow River Oxbows State Natural Area
• Yellow River State Wildlife Area
• Suk Cerney Peatlands State Natural Area
• Blueberry Trail
• Cranberry Creek Mound Group State Natural Area
• Mill Bluff State Park
• Necedah Pine-Oak Forest State Natural Area

 Visitor Center Hiking Trail

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
N11385 Headquarters Road
Necedah, WI 54646
(608)565-2551
(608) 565-3160 fax

Visitors Center at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

Area Information > Wisconsin Public Land > Juneau County  | Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

Suk Cerney Flowage

Suk Cerney Flowage located in the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is about 59 acres with a very shallow depth of about 2 feet with Panfish being present according to the Wisconsin Department of Nature Resource website.   These are considered two flowages Suk and Cerney. 

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is located in Necedah Township, Kingston Township, Cutler Township, and Finley Township of Juneau County just west of Necedah, WI. 54646.    The refuge is a little under 70 square miles of wildlife habitat with 6 Trails, several named bodies of water including: Goose Pool, Sprague Pool, Harvey Pond, Suk Flowage, Cerney Flowage, Mather Flowage, Yellow River, Rynearson Flowage and more…  Hiking, Hunting and Fishing is allowed in certain areas, certain times of the year so check with the Necedah Wildlife Visitors Center located on Headquarters Road.  Not too far from the wildlife area is WI’s 2nd & 4th largest inland bodies of water Lake Petenwell and Castle Rock Lake both part of the Wisconsin River Flowage System. 

Necedah Wildlife Refuge

Main Page – Visitors Center | Visitors Center Trail | Suk Cernery Flowage | Sprague Mather Flowage | Observation Tower | Observation Tower Trail | Lupine Loop Trail | Observation Deck | Harvey’s Pond | Sprague Flowage | Goose Pool | Park Entrance | Boghauter Trail | White – Trail Loop | Refuge Area | Wildlife | Homes & Cabins | Land & Acreage | Photo Gallery | MAP

Suk Cerney Flowage Photos

NECEDAH WILDLIFE REFUGE PHOTO GALLERY!

Other Area Public Land in Wisconsin

• Buckhorn State Park
• Sandhill State Wildlife Area
• Meadow Valley Barrens State Natural Area
• Yellow River Oxbows State Natural Area
• Yellow River State Wildlife Area
• Suk Cerney Peatlands State Natural Area
• Blueberry Trail
• Cranberry Creek Mound Group State Natural Area
• Mill Bluff State Park
• Necedah Pine-Oak Forest State Natural Area

Suk Cerney Lake

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Wisconsin Land & Acreage for Sale Nearby the Refuge

Wildlife Refuge Flowage

Nearby Communities - WI Cities, Towns & Villages:

• Necedah
• New Miner
• Kelly
• Mather
• Cloverdale
• Cutler
• Shennington
• Meadow Valley
• Norway Ridge
• Finley
• Sprague
• Babcock
• Nekoosa
• Dexterville
• City Point
• Wyeville
• Valley Junction
• Tomah
• New Lisbon
• Camp Douglas
• Lone Rock

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge Suk-Cerney Flowage

Area Information > Wisconsin Public Land > Juneau County  | Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

Sprague Mather Flowage

Sprague-Mather Flowage is located in the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge next to Goose Pool also known as Sprague Pool.  According to the WI DNR website Sprague-Marther Flowage is about 810 acres of water; a max depth of 9 feet the bottom is mostly sand with a little muck.  These bodies of water are home to Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Brown Bullheads, Pumpkinseed, Blue Gill, Yellow Perch, Crappie and other Panfish.  Sprague-Mather Flowage is open to non-motorized boating and fishing during certain times of the year; check with the Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center for Details.  Goose / Sprague Flowages along Bewick Road is loaded with birds of all kinds including; Bald Eagles, Canadian Geese, Sand Hill Cranes, Seagulls, Whopping Cranes, Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Ducks Song Birds and other shoreline birds and waterfowl.

Necedah Wildlife Refuge

Main Page – Visitors Center | Visitors Center Trail | Suk Cernery Flowage | Sprague Mather Flowage | Observation Tower | Observation Tower Trail | Lupine Loop Trail | Observation Deck | Harvey’s Pond | Sprague Flowage | Goose Pool | Park Entrance | Boghauter Trail | White – Trail Loop | Refuge Area | Wildlife | Homes & Cabins | Land & Acreage | Photo Gallery | MAP

Sprague Mather Flowage Photos

NECEDAH WILDLIFE REFUGE SPRAGUE MATHER FLOWAGE PHOTO GALLERY!

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is located in Necedah Township, Kingston Township, Cutler Township, and Finley Township of Juneau County just west of Necedah, WI. 54646.    The refuge is a little under 70 square miles of wildlife habitat with 6 Trails, several named bodies of water including: Goose Pool, Sprague Pool, Harvey Pond, Suk Flowage, Cerney Flowage, Mather Flowage, Yellow River, Rynearson Flowage and more…  Hiking, Hunting and Fishing is allowed in certain areas, certain times of the year so check with the Necedah Wildlife Visitors Center located on Headquarters Road.  Not too far from the wildlife area is WI’s 2nd & 4th largest inland bodies of water Lake Petenwell and Castle Rock Lake both part of the Wisconsin River Flowage System.

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

Types of Fish

• Northern Pike
• Largemouth Bass
• Pumpkin Seed
• Bluegill
• Yellow Perch
• Crappies
• Brown Bullheads

Sprague Mather Lake 

Key Areas of the Refuge

• Visitors Center
• Observation Tower
• Photo Blind
• Observation Areas
• Restrooms
• Boat Launches
• Goose Pool
• Sprague Pool
• Rynerson Pool #1 & #2
• Suk Cerney Flowage
• Harvey’s Pond
• Boghaunter Trail .8 miles & 3.6 miles
• Harvey’s Pond Trail .7miles
• Lupine Loop .8 miles
• Observation Tower Trail 1 mile
• Visitor Center Trail 1 mile

Birds, Waterfowl, Hawks, Eagles, Cranes and Birds of Prey

• Eastern Wildlife Turkey
• Canadian Geese
• Great Blue Heron
• Ducks
• Pelicans
• Whooping Cranes
• Sandhill Cranes
• Bald Eagles
• Wood Peckers
• Cooper’s Hawk
• Black Tern
• Song Birds
• Robins
• Ring Necked Ducks
• Mallard Ducks
• American Wigeon
• Redhead
• Cardinals
• Turkey Vultures
• Osprey
• Northern Harrier
• Barred Owl
• Golden Eagle
• Red-Tailed Hawk
• American Kestrel
• Bobolink

Reptiles, Amphibians & Insects

• Turtles
• Frogs
• Toads
• Snakes
• Karner Blue Butterfly
• Monarch Butterflies
• Ringed Boghaurnter Dragonfly
• Five Lined Skink
• Green Darner
• Milk Snake
• Water Scopion
• Brown Bats
• Garden Snakes
• Pine Snakes
• Snapping Turtle
• Painted Turtle

 Wildlife Refuge

Other Area Public Land in Wisconsin

• Buckhorn State Park
• Sandhill State Wildlife Area
• Meadow Valley Barrens State Natural Area
• Yellow River Oxbows State Natural Area
• Yellow River State Wildlife Area
• Suk Cerney Peatlands State Natural Area
• Blueberry Trail
• Cranberry Creek Mound Group State Natural Area
• Mill Bluff State Park
• Necedah Pine-Oak Forest State Natural Area

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Wisconsin Land & Acreage for Sale Nearby the Refuge

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

Area Information > Wisconsin Public Land > Juneau County  | Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife Observation Tower

The Observation Tower Trail is a 1.0 mile long loop with the main feature being the Wildlife Observation Tower itself.  The tower has 3 levels: the ground with a concrete pad, the second level giving a little shelter from the element and the third level with a build in spotting scope and the best view.  From the tower you can see a panoramic view probably over a mile at some points with a wide area of wildlife mostly migration birds.  There is a wildlife view optic built into the structure if you don’t have a super telephoto lens.  This location give people access, look and feeling of a large Central Wisconsin swamp which typically for the general public would be hard to get too.  This area is a wildlife hot spot not just for migratory birds, waterfowl, song birds and birds of prey but for animals like Black Bear, Whitetail Deer, Gray Wolves, Red Fox, Mink, Musk Rats, Squirrels, Rabbits, River Otter, Beaver and other Wisconsin Wildlife.    Some of the main birds that can be seen here are Bald Eagles, Great Horned Owl, Red-Tailed Hawks, Cooper’s Hawk, Osprey, Ring-Necked Ducks, American Wigeon, Mallard Duck, Sandhill Crane, Great Blue Heron, Whooping Cranes and so much more…

Necedah Wildlife Refuge

Sign Reads at the beginning of the trail by the parking lot:

• “Most animals are best seen in the early morning and evening hours.
• Scan places where wildlife might hide.
• Watch for movement.
• Use binoculars or spotting scopes for a closer look.
• Listen – often you will hear more than you can see.
• Do not feed animals as this may be harmful to them.
• Do not chase or harass wildlife – remember, you are a visitor in their home.”

Main Page – Visitors Center | Visitors Center Trail | Suk Cernery Flowage | Sprague Mather Flowage | Observation Tower | Observation Tower Trail | Lupine Loop Trail | Observation Deck | Harvey’s Pond | Sprague Flowage | Goose Pool | Park Entrance | Boghauter Trail | White – Trail Loop | Refuge Area | Wildlife | Homes & Cabins | Land & Acreage | Photo Gallery | MAP

Wildlife Observation Town Photos

NECEDAH WILDLIFE REFUGE PHOTO GALLERY!

Types of Wisconsin Wildlife & Animals

• White-Tail Deer
• Eastern Wildlife Turkey
• Black Bear
• Beaver
• Musk Rats
• Coyotes
• Timber Wolves
• Badgers
• River Otters
• Fishers
• Squirrels
• Chipmunks

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

Birds, Waterfowl, Hawks, Eagles, Cranes and Birds of Prey

• Eastern Wildlife Turkey
• Canadian Geese
• Great Blue Heron
• Ducks
• Pelicans
• Whooping Cranes
• Sandhill Cranes
• Bald Eagles
• Wood Peckers
• Cooper’s Hawk
• Black Tern
• Song Birds
• Robins
• Ring Necked Ducks
• Mallard Ducks
• American Wigeon
• Redhead
• Cardinals
• Turkey Vultures
• Osprey
• Northern Harrier
• Barred Owl
• Golden Eagle
• Red-Tailed Hawk
• American Kestrel
• Bobolink

Observation Tower

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is located in Necedah Township, Kingston Township, Cutler Township, and Finley Township of Juneau County just west of Necedah, WI. 54646.    The refuge is a little under 70 square miles of wildlife habitat with 6 Trails, several named bodies of water including: Goose Pool, Sprague Pool, Harvey Pond, Suk Flowage, Cerney Flowage, Mather Flowage, Yellow River, Rynearson Flowage and more…  Hiking, Hunting and Fishing is allowed in certain areas, certain times of the year so check with the Necedah Wildlife Visitors Center located on Headquarters Road.  Not too far from the wildlife area is WI’s 2nd & 4th largest inland bodies of water Lake Petenwell and Castle Rock Lake both part of the Wisconsin River Flowage System.

Wildlife Observation

Other Area Public Land in Wisconsin

• Buckhorn State Park
• Sandhill State Wildlife Area
• Meadow Valley Barrens State Natural Area
• Yellow River Oxbows State Natural Area
• Yellow River State Wildlife Area
• Suk Cerney Peatlands State Natural Area
• Blueberry Trail
• Cranberry Creek Mound Group State Natural Area
• Mill Bluff State Park
• Necedah Pine-Oak Forest State Natural Area

WI Cabins & Homes for Sale Nearby the Refuge

Wisconsin Land & Acreage for Sale Nearby the Refuge

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
N11385 Headquarters Road
Necedah, WI 54646
(608)565-2551
(608) 565-3160 fax

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge