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Nicollet Bay Unit, Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area WMA01102 Size: 2,312 acres Nicollet County Area Wildlife Office 501 9 th Street PO BOX 76 Nicollet MN 56074 (507) 225-3572 Located: 2 miles west of Nicollet on U.S. Highway 14. General Description: The flagship of the Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area, the Dahlman Unit was the first purchase for the watershed restoration project. A number of conservation organizations, local groups, and individuals contributed to the purchase and development of the property. The WMA contains former farmland converted to warm season, native grasses. It borders Swan Lake, one of the best and largest wetland complexes in North America. The lake outlet is located here and water levels are managed with a control structure. The boat ramp here is a primary access to the lake. You can observe wildlife from the observation dock, but using a canoe is more versatile. It is easy to become disorientated in the dense marsh growth. Be sure to bring a compass or a GPS unit. Swan Lake is a 10,000-acre marsh that is mostly undisturbed. You can expect to find most prairie and wetland wildlife here. The lake has one of the state's largest concentrations of western grebes. Other grebes -- Clark's, red-necked, eared, and pied billed – are observed here. There is a nesting colony of rare Forster's terns. You may see black terns, yellow-headed blackbirds, marsh wrens, Virginia rails, sora rails, and black- crowned night herons. Rare wildlife include several uncommon mollusks, the regal fritillary, king rail, upland sandpiper, and the loggerhead shrike. Several rare snakes are found here. The area also has a good concentration of bat species. Prior to European settlement, this unit was the site of a Lakota Indian encampment. The abundance of wildlife no doubt attracted the Indians. Evidence of the once-numerous bison that frequented Swan Lake is still visible. Mounds of earth near the lake are said to have been created by mud dropping off the bison as they left wallows. Handicapped access Management Emphasis: This unit is managed as a prairie ecosystem. A former farm site on the property was demolished. There are 100 acres of restored prairie grass and 27 acres of Indian grass and big bluestem that grows to six-foot heights. Located near the highway, this stand is harvested for seeds to be used in other prairie grass restorations. There are four restored wetlands on the property and a five-acre woody cover planting. Trumpeter swans, a native prairie species, were re-introduced here and are occasionally seen. There is an alfalfa field on the unit that is mowed too attracted hungry goose broods

Nicollet Bay Unit, Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area WMA01102maps1.dnr.state.mn.us/faw/wma/descriptions/wma0110209.pdf · Nicollet Bay Unit, Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area WMA01102

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Nicollet Bay Unit, Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area WMA01102 Size: 2,312 acres Nicollet County Area Wildlife Office 501 9th Street PO BOX 76 Nicollet MN 56074 (507) 225-3572 Located: 2 miles west of Nicollet on U.S. Highway 14. General Description: The flagship of the Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area, the Dahlman Unit was the first purchase for the watershed restoration project. A number of conservation organizations, local groups, and individuals contributed to the purchase and development of the property. The WMA contains former farmland converted to warm season, native grasses. It borders Swan Lake, one of the best and largest wetland complexes in North America. The lake outlet is located here and water levels are managed with a control structure. The boat ramp here is a primary access to the lake. You can observe wildlife from the observation dock, but using a canoe is more versatile. It is easy to become disorientated in the dense marsh growth. Be sure to bring a compass or a GPS unit. Swan Lake is a 10,000-acre marsh that is mostly undisturbed. You can expect to find most prairie and wetland wildlife here. The lake has one of the state's largest concentrations of western grebes. Other grebes -- Clark's, red-necked, eared, and pied billed – are observed here. There is a nesting colony of rare Forster's terns. You may see black terns, yellow-headed blackbirds, marsh wrens, Virginia rails, sora rails, and black-crowned night herons. Rare wildlife include several uncommon mollusks, the regal fritillary, king rail, upland sandpiper, and the loggerhead shrike. Several rare snakes are found here. The area also has a good concentration of bat species. Prior to European settlement, this unit was the site of a Lakota Indian encampment. The abundance of wildlife no doubt attracted the Indians. Evidence of the once-numerous bison that frequented Swan Lake is still visible. Mounds of earth near the lake are said to have been created by mud dropping off the bison as they left wallows. Handicapped access Management Emphasis: This unit is managed as a prairie ecosystem. A former farm site on the property was demolished. There are 100 acres of restored prairie grass and 27 acres of Indian grass and big bluestem that grows to six-foot heights. Located near the highway, this stand is harvested for seeds to be used in other prairie grass restorations. There are four restored wetlands on the property and a five-acre woody cover planting. Trumpeter swans, a native prairie species, were re-introduced here and are occasionally seen. There is an alfalfa field on the unit that is mowed too attracted hungry goose broods

and reduce depredation on nearby farms. Corn and soybeans are rotated on an annual food plot. Wildlife Features: Improvements: Special Features: A 680-foot wheel-chair accessible dock leads to a duck blind on Swan Lake that is maintained for handicapped hunters. The dock was completed in 2000, funded primarily with a one-time legislative appropriation. Outside the duck season, it can be used to observe a prairie pothole. Visit the dock on a clear night, because it is an excellent place to see the stars and listen to the marsh. Recreation Notes: Hunting opportunities: Waterfowl, deer, and pheasants Viewing opportunities: Birding SPRING: This is the premiere place in the area to observe migrating waterfowl. SUMMER: Use a canoe to explore the marsh. Be careful not to disturb nesting areas on floating mats of vegetation. FALL: Waterfowl hunting is excellent. Pheasant and deer hunting are available. WINTER: Predators hunt in the winter cover. Skiing and snowshoeing are possible; there are no improved trails.