Parks & Wildlife

Ambroson Recreation Area (119 acres)

3035 Highway 9, Leland--Located 3 miles north of Forest City on Highway 69
(N43°19.676'/ W93°38.488'--west entrance)
(N43°19.302'/W93°38.228'--east entrance)

Hunting Allowed - Upland Hunting / Wetland Hunting
Fishing - Lake (32 acres)/ River 
Boating Allowed - Canoeing / Electric Motors Only
Picnicking - Picnic Tables / Grills / Open Shelter
Water - Drinking Water
Special Notes  - Playground

Formerly a rest area, this multi-use complex now contains a mixture of uplands and wetlands, providing excellent wildlife habitat. Located along the Winnebago River, and containing 21 acres of ponds, this area is especially popular for fishing. Fish include northern pike, largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegills. The area also serves as an access point for the Winnebago River Water Trail.

C.A. Block Wildlife Area (389 acres)

22920 470th Street, Lake Mills--Located 1 mile north of Lake Mills on R74
     (N43°26.792'/ W93°32.249') 

Hunting Allowed - Upland Hunting / Forest Hunting

Made up primarily of burr oak timber, and located adjacent to the Larson-Tweed Wildlife Area, this area is a popular location for turkey and deer hunting.

Dearing Tract (40 acres)

3250 470th Street, Buffalo Center--Located 3 miles north of Buffalo Center on R20
     (N43°26.672'/ W93°55.615')

Florence Recreation Area and Trap Shooting Range (35 acres)

42435 60th Avenue, Thompson--Located 4 miles west of Thompson on Highway 9 and a half mile south
(N43°22.660'/ W93°51.133')

Hunting Allowed  - Upland Hunting
Fishing - Lake (3 acres) 
Boating Allowed - Canoeing / Electric Motors Only
Picnicking - Picnic Tables / Grills / Open Shelter
Special Note - Playground, Trap Shooting Range

With a renovated, 3-acre, spring-fed fishing pond, Florence provides anglers with a good opportunity to land bluegills, largemouth bass, and catfish. The area also contains a restored prairie and is popular with pheasant hunters and trap shooters

Grant Wildlife Area (33 acres)

 34500 30th Avenue, Woden-- Located 9 1/2 miles south of Buffalo Center on R20
      (N43°15.736'/W93°54.710')

Hunting Allowed - Forest Hunting

This area was the first to be acquired by the Winnebago County Conservation Board. Today, this wooded 
area contains a mix of cottonwoods, willows, and red cedars, and is a popular spot for deer and squirrel 
hunting. A foot trail also meanders through the area.

Gruis Recreation Area (180 acres)

2724 360th Street, Buffalo Center--Located 8 miles south of Buffalo Center on A42
      (N43°17.063'/W93°56.234')

Hunting Allowed - Upland Hunting (restricted)
Fishing - Lake (1 acre)
Water - Flush Toilets
Special Note - Golf Course / Restaurant

Willed to the Board in 1968 by Bert Gruis, this area contains a 9-hole public golf course, complete with a driving range and clubhouse. Some restricted hunting is allowed on the area. For more information, call 641-926-5393.

Jack Rabbit Slough (80 acres)

14400 430th Street, Thompson--Located 2 1/2 miles east of Thompson, 1 mile north, and 1/4 mile 
east on 430th Street
        (N43°23.144'/W93°42.503')

Hunting Allowed - Upland Hunting / Wetland Hunting

This area, purchased with grants from Pheasants Forever and the North American Wetland Conservation Act, contains restored wetlands and uplands. Hunters can enjoy hunting waterfowl, pheasants, and deer.

Linden Township Cemetery (2 acres)

  38128 90th Avenue, Thompson--Located 4 1/2 miles south of Thompson on R34
        (N43°18.924'/W93°47.614')

Hunting Allowed
Special Note - Geocache 

This small cemetery is a true "pioneer cemetery," providing the final resting places of some of Winnebago County's first residents. A sign at the cemetery lists the names of the pioneers known to be buried there. Although the cemetery dates back over 130 years, its management became the job of the Winnebago County Conservation Board in the 1990's. The Board took on the responsibility after "discovering" that the area was also an excellent example of a virgin prairie, containing an abundance of native grasses and wildflowers, untouched over the years.

Luke Rossiter Wildlife Area (51 acres)

49265 70th Avenue, Thompson--Located 1 1/2 miles south of Thompson on R34, 3 miles west
        (N43°20.722'/W93°49.976')

Hunting Allowed - Upland Hunting / Wetland Hunting

This area was acquired in 1987, using money from the sale of habitat stamps. It is an excellent example 
of what Winnebago County looked like when the first settlers arrived in the 1800's. It contains both native 
and restored wetlands and prairies and many deer. It is also a good area to see summer wildflowers.

Osmundson Slough (157 acres)

  12759 390th Street, Thompson--Located 3 miles south and 2 miles east of Thompson on 380th Street

Hunting Allowed - Upland Hunting / Wetland Hunting

This scenic area contains eleven natural and restored wetlands, as well as native prairie and restored uplands. The mix of habitat makes for excellent waterfowl, pheasant, and deer hunting. It was purchased with Habitat Stamp and REAP money, as well as grants from Pheasants Forever and the North American Wetland Conservation Act.

Quam Wildlife Area (200 acres)

47811 30th Avenue, Rake--Located 1 mile south of Rake
        (N43°27.325'/ W93°53.532'--east parking lot)

Hunting Allowed - Upland Hunting / Wetland Hunting

Quam contains a restored prairie and wetlands, as well as winter-cover food plots. This area is popular with upland bird and early-season waterfowl hunters. 

Thompson Roadside Prairie (8 acres)

 10809 Highway 9, Thompson--Located 1/2 mile north of Thompson on Highway 9
        (N43°23.050'/W93°46.491')

Formerly a rest area, this small parcel of land is now a restored prairie area and a Living Roadway Trust Fund "Gateway Project."