Area Information > Wisconsin Public Land > Juneau County | Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
Necedah Wildlife Refuge
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
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
NECEDAH WILDLIFE REFUGE PHOTO GALLERY!
Activities:
- NO Camping
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Wildlife Observation
- Photography
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Ice Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Foraging
- Mushroom Hunting
- Berry Picking
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
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.
Necedah Wildlife Refuge
The refuge is home to many endangered and threatened species including wolves, blanding turtles and the redheaded woodpecker. Although camping isn’t allowed in the refuge, you are able to spend 8 ½ hours, 5 days a week because you can’t take in everything they have to offer in just a short amount of time. Even better yet, feel free to bring your four legged family members along with you; as long as they are kept on a leash they are allowed to partake in the fun. The only time you aren’t permitted to explore the various hiking trails is during gun-deer hunting season. So, stop in and enjoy everything the Necedah Wildlife Refuge has to offer because it isn’t just there for the critters!
The park has atv routes and snowmobile trails that run right through the refuge and are open to the public as long as you don’t travel off of the marked trails. If you would like to go fishing while you are in the area, it’s just a short drive to nearby lakes including Lake Petenwell, Castle Rock Lake and also the Yellow River. Necedah is also home to various opportunities for lodging, delicious dining and fun! So, next time you are in the area, stop and enjoy a taste of Wisconsin!
Wisconsin National Wildlife Refuge
Printable Maps & Information:
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
- White-Tail Loop 1.7 miles
Necedah Wildlife Refuge Areas
Water - Lakes, Rivers, Creeks, Stream, Ponds, Pools and Flowages:
- Goose Pool aka Goose Flowage
- Sprague Pool aka Sprague Pool or Sprague-Mather Flowage
- Rynerson Pool #1 & #2 aka Rynerson Flowage 1 and 2
- Suk & Cerney Flowage
- Harvey’s Pond
- #28 Pool
- #18 Pool
- #27 Pool
- #13 Pool
- East Branch Spencer Creek
- East Branch Little Yellow River
- Johnson Lateral Ditch
- West Branch Little Yellow River
- Rawson Lateral Ditch
- Little Yellow River
- Spencer Roberson Ditch
- Rattail Lateral Ditch
- South Branch Yellow River
- Yellow River
Necedah Refuge Wildlife
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
- Northern Pike
- Largemouth Bass
- Pumpkin Seed
- Bluegill
- Yellow Perch
- Crappies
- Brown Bullheads
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 National 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
WI Cabins & Homes for Sale Nearby the Refuge
Wisconsin Land & Acreage for Sale Nearby the Refuge
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
N11385 Headquarters Road
Necedah, WI 54646
(608)565-2551
(608) 565-3160 fax
Other Links
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/necedah - United States Fish and Wildlife Service
http://www.friendsofnnwr.org – Friends of the Refuge
http://townofnecedah.com/necedah-national-wildlife-refuge - Town of Necedah, Wisconsin
http://www.necedah.us – Village of Necedah
