https://ebird.org/hotspot/L17468655
Bottomland Hardwoods, Marsh, Open Water, Pine Plantation.
Best Birds: Hike the area in summer to see cuckoos, Red-shouldered Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker, Prothonotary Warbler and other species typical of the sloughs and bottomland forests of the Mississippi River. Great Horned and Barred Owl nest here. In the winter, springs keep part of the lakes open making it possible for ducks and Belted Kingfisher to winter here.
Directions: 30 miles NW of La Crosse. From Hwy 35 on the east side of Trempealeau turn south on Fremont Street toward Lock and Dam #6, cross the railroad tracks and continue straight on Lake Road. In 0.2 miles turn east on Pickerel Path. The preserve’s parking lot and trailhead is located on the end of Pickerel Path (43.99861, -91.42387). There is ¾-mile flat, wide loop trail traverses deciduous and pine woods with side trails to fishing spots along spring-fed Second Lake. Trail may be flooded or wet during spring and other high-water periods.
The preserve abuts the state’s Trempealeau Lakes State Fishery Area which provides access to Second and Third Lakes from a parking area and boat landing (43.99286, -91.41302) on an unnamed road that heads north from Lake Road.
Site Address and Additional Information:
Pickerel Path, Trempealeau WI
Trempealeau Lakes | Mississippi Valley Conservancy
Carl Schroeder
