Wildlife viewing and photography are the prime recreational activities at Hutton Lake, but its main purpose is to be used by wildlife, not people. Hunting, fishing and camping aren t allowed, and wildlife viewing is limited to day use. Five small lakes Hutton, Creighton, George, Rush and Hogue are arranged in a half-moon pattern at the refuge. Private, and later, wildlife interests developed these lakes from natural sumps. Lanier said water levels at the lakes are at the mercy of Wyoming water law.
Water enters the refuge from ditches.
Lanier said the water level at Creighton Lake is about as low as it s ever been. One of the lakes, Lake George, became the home of the endangered Wyoming toad beginning in the mid 1990s. Lanier said the water in Lake George is of better quality than that in the other four lakes, and its emergent vegetation makes good toad habitat. Tadpoles, raised at special facilities at the Sybille Wildlife Research Unit, were released at the lake last year, but late fall surveys indicated a low survival rate. That s not surprising since amphibians naturally have a high mortality rate.