Necedah

National Wildlife Refuge

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

N11385 Headquarters Road

Necedah, WI 54646

(608) 565-2551

Individuals with hearing impairments 

may reach Necedah through the Federal

Information Relay Service at 1-800/877 8339 

E-mail Address: Necedah@fws.gov

Refuge Webpage:

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/necedah

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1 800/344 WILD

http:www.fws.gov/

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Red-headed

Woodpecker,

USFWS
One thousand years 

ago this land was a 

vast peat bog with sand 

ridges which evolved 

through time into 

Necedah’s wetlands 

and woodlands.

In 1939, Necedah – 

Ho Chunk for “land 

of yellow waters” – was 

established as a refuge 

and breeding ground 

for migratory birds 

and other wildlife.
Formation Situated on the bed of former Glacial

of a Refuge Lake Wisconsin and the great Central

Wisconsin Swamp is a vast peat land

laced with dry ridges of sand deposited

by waves of melt-water. Today, this

complex of wetlands, openlands, and

woodlands forms the foundation for

many central Wisconsin communities

and the Necedah National Wildlife

Refuge.

Necedah is a Winnebago Indian word 

meaning “land of yellow waters.” It 

refers to the tawny, yellow water, 

stained by minerals in the soil, which 

drains into the Wisconsin River 

some seven miles east of the refuge. 

Besides the Winnebago (also called 

Ho-Chunk), this area was also inhabited at various times by the Sauk, 

Fox, Potawatomi and Ojibwa.

Europeans first settled this area in 

the late 19th century. Logging was 

followed by land drainage and farming, which were difficult due to short 

growing seasons and droughty soils. 

After a series of intense fires in the 

early 1930s, many farmsteads were 

abandoned and refuge lands were 

acquired under the National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 and the 

Emergency Relief Appropriation Act 

of 1935. On March 14, 1939, Franklin 

D. Roosevelt established Necedah 

Migratory Waterfowl Refuge “. . . 

as a refuge and breeding ground for 

migratory birds and other wildlife.” 

Today, this 44,000-acre area is known 

as Necedah National Wildlife Refuge.

Necedah

NWR

WISCONSIN

Necedah: Serving The National Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife, Habitat System is a chain of over 500 

& People refuges occupying some 97 million 

acres of land. Necedah National 

Wildlife Refuge is a vital link in this 

system, providing important services 

to wildlife, people, and the habitats 

which support them. In addition to 

fulfilling its role as a refuge and 

breeding ground for migratory birds 

and other wildlife, Necedah is also 

responsible for preserving a natural 

diversity and abundance of fauna and 

flora, and for providing for the needs 

of threatened or endangered animals 

and plants. While the needs of wildlife 

are our first priority, Necedah also 

provides opportunities for people to 

enjoy and learn about our natural 

world through such wildlife-compatible 

activities as hiking, hunting, fishing, 

and attending educational and 

interpretive programs. 

The Wisconsin 

Federal Junior 

Duck Stamp 

Contest is hosted 

at the refuge.
Endangered Species

Whooping In 1860, around 1,400 whooping 

Crane cranes existed in North America. 

Their population dwindled until it hit

an all-time low of 15 birds in 1941. 

Slowly, that last wild flock increased in

numbers, but it continued to be the

sole migratory flock of whooping 

cranes until the turn of the

century. 

An experimental release of whooping 

crane chicks started at the refuge in 

2001. The goal is to restore a selfsustaining population that migrates in 

eastern North America.

Karner Blue Necedah is home to the Karner blue

Butterfly butterfly. This tiny butterfly is

dependent upon Necedah’s barrens 

habitat. The larvae feed exclusively on 

wild lupine; the adults feed on nectar 

from a variety of wildflowers.

Bald Eagle Bald eagles nest, feed, and rest on the 

refuge. You can usually view eagles 

soaring over the refuge’s major 

wetlands. 

Gray Wolf Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

provides habitat for the

gray wolf in Wisconsin. The gray

wolf, or timber wolf, was listed as

federally-endangered in Wisconsin in 

1967. Migrating naturally into 

Wisconsin from Minnesota, wolves 

have reclaimed their territory with 

several packs located in and outside 

the refuge.

Nature’s Calendar 

Mid-June and Annual flights of the rare Karner

early August blue buttefly.

Spring and Fall Spectacular waterbird migrations. 

Thousands of birds, including scaup, 

wigeons, swans, ring-necks, sandhill 

cranes, canvasbacks, mallards, teal, 

Canada geese and shorebirds.

Late Summer Brilliant displays of wildflowers 

– golds, purples, magentas, whites and

reds; a special treat when viewed from

the shade of a large, stately oak.

Necedah’s Wildlife

Wildlife Necedah’s success in preserving and 

Viewing restoring habitat for wildlife and 

Tips people is evident by the sights you see 

while walking the Boghaunter Trail

or visiting the refuge’s other wildlife 

viewing “hot spots.” 

Many species of wildlife are 

best seen in the early morning and 

evening hours. Your vehicle makes a

good blind, so drive slowly and watch 

for movement. Approach vistas

slowly – tops of dikes and the edges of

woodlands may offer rewarding views! 

Please move quietly to avoid

disturbing wildlife.

All Year Whenever you choose to visit Necedah

you may see white-tailed deer, wild

turkeys, ruffed grouse or even a 

black bear!
Activities not expressly authorized are 

prohibited. If you have any questions, 

please check with the refuge staff.

The refuge is open from sunrise to 

sunset.

Speed limit is 25 mph unless 

otherwise posted.

	 	 Vehicles, ATV’s, snowmobiles and

bicycles are not permitted off public 

roads.

Camping is not permitted on the

refuge.

Parking is permitted only in

designated areas. Do not block gates.

Open fires and charcoal fires are not 

permitted on the refuge.

Pets must be leashed at all times

unless used for hunting.

For More Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

Information N11385 Headquarters Road

Necedah, WI 54646

Phone: 608/565 2551

Refuge Office & Near the intersection 

Visitor Center of the Headquarters 

Road and Grand 

Dike Road (20th 

Street West).

Visitor Center 9:00 to 4:00, Monday through

Hours: Saturday. Closed Federal holidays,

Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Please call ahead to verify, as hours 

are subject to change. (608) 565 2551.

After-hours restrooms are located on the

west end of the building during daylight 

hours.

q
Rules & Regulations

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge 

is an area set aside, and managed for 

wildlife. To avoid or reduce 

disturbance during critical periods, 

public recreation has been limited. 

Wildlife viewing is encouraged yearround throughout the refuge. 

However, except as specified in the 

following regulations, public activities 

are restricted to township roads. 

Authorized activities, seasons and 

open areas are listed below. Brochures 

are available for additional information 

on wildlife viewing, birding, hunting, 

fishing, and berry picking. Consult 

the appropriate brochures before 

participating in these activities.

Refuge Activities

n Hiking is permitted on designated 

trails. 

n Although no groomed trails exist, 

cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted refugewide, December 15 - March 31.

 

n Fishing is permitted in designated 

refuge waters according to state 

regulations during portions of the

state season. A fishing brochure is 

available at the refuge headquarters.

Motorized boats are permitted in the

Suk-Cerney flowage. Boats without

motors are allowed in other open

flowages.

n Hunting is permitted in certain zones 

during portions of the state hunting 

seasons. A hunting brochure is 

available at the refuge headquarters. 

 n Berry picking, birding, and hiking 

are permitted refuge-wide, 

July 1- August 15.

NATIONAL

WILDLIFE 

REFUGE

UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY

PROHIBITED

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
g

Co-op Managed Unit

State Public

Campgrounds

Accessible Area 

Flowage Road Beaver Taril Road

County Road 

H

Eisfeldt

Road

20th Street

Township Roads

(Open to Public)

Refuge Roads 

(Closed to Vehicles)

Refuge Visitor Center

2

3

4

Safety Zone

Co-op Managed 

Land

1

Hunting Areas

Cemetery

Road

Necedah

National Wildlife Refuge