This backwater spot along the Mississippi River, nestled between the Mighty Miss and the Great River Bike Trail, is the perfect spot for Trekkin' and Birdin' to spend an afternoon. Trekkin' can attest to great fishing year round. Birdin' can look for some elusive birds when the fishing is slow.
From the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail for this region:
The Trempealeau Lakes State Fishery Area is only 164 acres in size, but has a mix of habitats that draw a nice variety of animals and birds. The lakes are separated from the Mississippi River by marshes and are ringed with floodplain forests of maple and river birch. Canoe or hike the area to see cuckoos, Red-shouldered Hawk and Belted Kingfishers. Great Horned and Barred Owls nest here along with Pileated and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. In the winter, springs keep part of the lakes open for birds like the Great Blue Heron who sometimes winter here. Prairie restorations hold grassland birds including Song Sparrows, Common Yellowthroats and Willow Flycatchers. The lakes are host to many species of waterfowl.
Because it's a floodplain forest, wear long pants and watch for the annoying plants typical of this habitat...poison ivy and wood nettle.
Because it's a popular fishing spot, please take care to rehide this one as you found it, so it is there for the next finder.
Then take some time to enjoy the view across the lake, explore the forest edge and if you have a Wisconsin fishing license, soak a line and see what happens!
The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to the Trempauleau DNR of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form.