MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public of the temporary closure of a 125-acre portion of Pierce County Islands State Wildlife Area. The area is closed to all recreation activities until construction ends in 2027. The temporary closure includes the newly constructed islands, the southern portion of Pierce County Islands and access through Catherine’s Pass.
The DNR has undertaken a large-scale, multimillion-dollar habitat project in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other local partners. This project aims to restore access to the degraded backwaters of upper Lake Pepin and ultimately improve habitat of overwintering fish and floodplain forests. The project will also restore healthy aquatic vegetation by improving water clarity and provide food and nesting habitat for waterfowl and other wetland birds.
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The extensive restoration project features creation of four islands for improved floodplain forest habitat, mudflats for improved waterfowl habitat and habitat dredging to improve fish habitat.
Project goals and recreation benefits
The goal of the project is to improve local recreation opportunities, including:
- Fishing opportunities
- Waterfowl hunting opportunities
- Bird watching opportunities
- Small boat access
Local plant, fish and wildlife will likely greatly benefit from this project. The health and diversity of emergent and submergent aquatic vegetation, floodplain forest, backwater waterfowl and fish habitats are expected to improve in both quality and quantity. Many fish and wildlife species will have access to richer and more diverse habitats created by the addition of these islands and mudflats. Stabilization rock will also be added to help protect the existing and newly constructed shoreline habitat from erosion.
Closure details and future slow-no-wake zone
The DNR only closed the portion of Pierce County Islands State Wildlife Area that is actively under construction, which covers about 125 acres of Pierce County Islands State Wildlife Area. The public is reminded to not recreate in this area until construction is complete. This includes but is not limited to camping, using fire rings and campfires, hunting, fishing, hiking, boating and other forms of recreation. Signs marking the perimeter declare the area closed to all public use to ensure public safety during construction and minimize erosion. The DNR recognizes how popular this area is and appreciates the public's cooperation.
When construction concludes and the temporary closure is lifted in 2027, the public should be aware that the area known as Catherine’s Pass will have a newly established slow no wake zone in place through Pierce County code. This permanent zoning will ensure long-term boater safety while heavily reducing wave action and erosion to protect the new islands and shoreline into the future.
