U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Horicon National Wildlife Refuge W4279 Headquarters Road Mayville, WI 53050 920/387-2658 Horicon http://midwest.fws.gov/horicon National Wildlife Refuge

People with hearing impairments may reach Horicon NWR through Wisconsin’s Relay Service at 1-800/947-3529 (V/TTY) http://www.fws.gov/horicon.html

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1 800/344 WILD http://www.fws.gov

Redhead duck, Jack R. Bartholmai Wetland habitat makes up the settlers built a dam on the Rock River majority of the refuge, but valuable in Horicon that changed the marsh upland habitats, like prairie and into the largest artificial lake in the woods, provide the diversity needed world at the time, Horicon Lake. to support many types of wildlife People used the lake to float logs and through the seasons. move farm products by steamboat. Water from this dam also powered a Horicon National Wildlife Refuge saw mill and a grist mill. (21,000 acres) makes up the northern two-thirds of the marsh and is After the dam was removed in 1869, managed by the U.S. Fish and the lake reverted to a marsh once Wildlife Service. The southern one- again. Over the next 30 years, people third is administered by the Wiscon- used Horicon Marsh for unregulated sin Department of Natural Resources recreational and commercial hunt- as the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife ing. Attempts to convert it to farm- Area (11,000 acres). Both agencies land about 100 years ago ultimately work together to manage the marsh failed because the soil was simply too as one wetland ecosystem. wet and peaty. Following a 20-year struggle by conservationists, especial- From Glacier to Refuge ly the Izaak Walton League, Congress Horicon Marsh is a shallow, peat-filled established the Horicon National lake bed scoured out of limestone by Wildlife Refuge on July 16, 1941, for the Green Bay lobe of the massive the protection and conservation of Wisconsin glacier. Look for the hills migratory birds. rising on the east side of this 14-mile long depression, survivors of an an- cient, frozen past. The glacier entered this area about 70,000 years ago and receded about 12,000 years ago.

A source of food for many different Native American groups for thousands of years, Horicon Marsh attracted immigrants, too. In the 1800s, logging opened the uplands for farming. In 1846 a new settlement called Hubbard's Rapids, at the south end of the marsh, was renamed Horicon, meaning pure, clean water. That same year, Horicon Shooting Club, circa 1910

The dredge, circa 1910 State legislative tour, 1927 Marsh sunset, Jack R. Bartholmai More than Geese! Over 32,000 acres in Many visitors enjoy watching migrating Canada geese in the fall. size, Horicon Marsh Several hundred thousand interior Canada geese migrate between Hudson Bay and southern Illinois, is the largest freshwater stopping at Horicon Marsh. These birds are part of the Mississippi cattail marsh in the Valley population of Canada geese. United States. The But geese are just part of the picture. Nearly 300 species of birds, along with white-tailed deer, red fox, marsh provides habitat river otters, muskrats, snapping turtles, garter snakes, and other for endangered species animals call the marsh home. Horicon National Wildlife Refuge supports the largest nesting and is a critical rest population of redhead ducks east of the Mississippi River. Thousands of stop for thousands redheads use the marsh each year. of migrating ducks Besides waterfowl, you may observe other types of birds at Horicon refuge, like shorebirds, marsh birds, and Canada geese. It terns, raptors, and songbirds. Notable species include American has been recognized white pelicans, sandhill cranes, dowitchers, Forster's terns, wild as a Wetland of turkeys, northern harriers, and yellow-headed blackbirds. The marsh supports the largest great blue heron International nesting rookery in Wisconsin. Importance, a unit of the Ice Age National Great egret, Jack R. Bartholmai Scientific Reserve, and both a Globally and State Important Bird Area. Working for Wildlife You can help by properly identifying Horicon staff actively manage the bird species, especially swans and refuge to benefit a diversity of wildlife cranes, so they are not accidentally for your enjoyment. Management shot while hunting. activities include restoring upland habitat, monitoring waterfowl The Refuge System and You populations, providing artificial Horicon National Wildlife Refuge is nesting structures, controlling in- one refuge of over 550 national wildlife vasive exotic species, and providing refuges and 3,000 waterfowl production visitor services. Blue-winged teal, areas. These lands span more than 105 Jack R. Bartholmai million acres across the continent. The Fish survey, Manipulating water levels is the most National Wildlife Refuge System is the Jack R. Bartholmai vital management tool used to benefit only network of lands primarily waterfowl and shorebirds. The dedicated to the preservation and presence or absence of water, water management of fish and wildlife depth, and timing are all coordinated resources. It is home to thousands of to reduce carp and produce various species of mammals, birds, reptiles, stages of marsh plant succession upon amphibians, fish, plants and many which these birds rely. Various im- endangered species. poundments, which have been subdi- vided from the main pool of the marsh Muskrat, The refuge system is for people, too! using a system of dikes and water Jack R. Bartholmai About 400,000 people visit Horicon Environmental control structures, are managed on refuge each year to enjoy wildlife- education, USFWS seasonal, annual, and multiple-year dependent activities. Horicon refuge is cycles. Because of changing water accessible to persons with disabilities. levels, you may notice some wetland Call or write before visiting to schedule areas of open, deep water, others with a tour, obtain special event schedules, dense cattails, and still others with or inquire about other details. bare mud.

Special care is taken to protect endangered and threatened species that use the refuge. For example, Fishing at Horicon Marsh, nesting platforms are provided for Mike & Lisa Husar osprey. Essential habitat is provided for trumpeter swans, great egrets, Common moorhen, Jack R. Bartholmai Prescribed burn, Forster's tern, peregrine falcons and Mike Husar bald eagles. Forster's Tern, Jack R. Bartholmai is warmer and fall colors are peaking. In spring, the marsh comes alive after the quieter winter season. Duck and warbler watching is best in April and May respectively, as these birds wear colorful breeding plumage. In sum- mer look for broods of redheads, American coot and yellow-headed blackbirds. White Pelicans, USFWS During your trip to Horicon refuge, be sure to stop at the visitor cen- ter. Here you can pick up maps, ask questions, enjoy marsh exhibits, view wildlife through spotting scopes, and Floating boardwalk on the Egret Trail, shop for souvenirs and gifts at Coot's Jack R. Bartholmai Corner. Proceeds help support visitor services. The visitor center is located on the east side of Horicon Marsh, 3.5 Things to Enjoy on the Refuge miles south of State Highway 49, and Horicon National Wildlife Refuge is open year-round. is open during daylight hours only. There are a number of activities for If you have binoculars, be sure to you to enjoy during your visit. bring them with you. The animals that use Horicon Marsh are wild and • Auto touring will flee if you come too close. Using • Hiking binoculars brings wildlife closer to • Cross-country skiing you without disturbing them and • Snowshoeing allows everyone to enjoy watching • Bicycling Bird watching, them feed, fly, swim, dive, and play. • Bird watching C. Anderson • Wildlife observation Other local wildlife viewing areas • Fishing include Dodge and Fond du Lac • Hunting County Parks, Theresa Marsh State • Trapping Wildlife Area, and federal • Nature photography and art Waterfowl Production Areas. • Environmental education • Talks and tours Nearby towns provide an array of • Special events restaurants, hotels, special events, Cross-country skiing, • Educational resources USFWS and shopping opportunities to help you feel right at home. Several Special refuge rules apply, as well campgrounds are located within a as Wisconsin state regulations. The 30-minute drive. Contact the refuge separate Horicon Marsh Visitor visitor center or a local chamber of and Hunting Maps provide current commerce for details. details on these opportunities.

November is typically, but not always, the best month to observe peak numbers of migrating Canada geese. Most people visit in October, however, since the weather Visitor center, Marsh sunset, USFWS Jack R. Bartholmai Help Protect Wildlife Everything on the refuge is either a home or food for wildlife. Therefore, please remember ...

n Take only pictures, leave only footprints. n Use official trails only. n Respect refuge boundary signs, closed areas, and private property. n Keep dogs leashed and on the trails at all times. n Keep your distance – respect nesting wildlife. n Pack your garbage out with you. n Obey posted speed limits.

It is your responsibility to know and follow refuge regulations. If you need assistance, please ask for help at the visitor center.

Citizen Involvement You can also help by joining a group that cares for the marsh!

n Refuge Volunteer Program n Friends of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge

Sunset crane, Jack R. Bartholmai To Oshkosh 26 To Fond du Lac

26 West Branch Rock River Wild Goose State Trail

151 Mill Rd. B Oak Center Rd. reak neck Rd

Fond du Lac County Park South Branch Rock River Marsh Haven B MMM Nature Center Stumpf Rd. Wild Goose Rd. 49 Waupun 49 151 Z

I

26 Shamrock Rd. 49 To Hwy. 41

Peachy Rd. Old Marsh Rd. Point Rd. West Bran ch Bud Cook

Roc c h k it Milligan Rd. River Hiking Z

D Area in

. d M a R Ledge Rd.

t

n i

o

P Point Rd. H To Lomira 151 Environmental I Education To Beaver Dam Barn

Reiser Rd. Refuge Office/ Visitor Center Headquarters Bauer Rd. Rd.

Lehner Rd. MAP LEGEND Horicon National Z Horicon National Wildlife Wildlife Refuge Refuge (Federal) Z Horicon Marsh State (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) Wildlife Area (State) Y Restrooms Rockvale Rd. Main Dike Rd. Dohrman Rd. Boat Ramp Main Dike Rd. TW Kekoskee Dike Rd. Refuge Fishing Site East Branch Rock River

e r Trails iv

R Y c k Interpretive Displays Burnett Ditch Rd. TW 67

R o Wildlife Viewing Area 28 Greenhead Rd. Burnett Horicon Marsh State Biking/Hiking Mayville Wildlife Area 28 River/Open Water (Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources)

Towns

Auto Tour Route

Horicon Marsh Parkway Main Ditch DNR Service Center and 67 Redhead Hiking Trail International Education Center TW Red Fox Nature Trail TW Egret Nature Trail 26 Ledge Park N Raasch's Hill Rd.

Scale in Miles 28 0 0.5 1 1.5

To Beaver Dam 33 Horicon 33 To Hwy. 41