Site Details

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Welch Lake WMA - Dickinson County

GPS Coordinates: 43.45822, -95.17162

Management: Multiple

Description: One of the largest complexes of restored & natural wetlands in NW Iowa, surrounded by restored prairie on rolling glacial moraine. The namesake lake is located at the north end and is a typical small prairie lake, surrounded by trees and having a rocky shoreline.

Habitat: Over 34 natural and restored wetlands, plus a shallow prairie Lake (Welch Lake, surrounded by mostly restored native prairie, some remnant prairie, tame grasslands, and a few small crop fields. Wetlands host countless nesting and migrating waterfowl, other waterbirds, and shorebirds, while uplands are rich in everything from nesting Upland Plovers to multiple migrating species of longspurs.

Directions: Take IA Hwy 86 north from junction with Hwy 9, near NW corner of West Okoboji Lake. State and fedearl lands that comprise this approximately 1,100-acre complex are immediately adjacent on east side of 86. Continue north 2 miles, and most lands on both sides of highway are all part of the complex.

Public Hunting Area Search for area boundary information on the DNR interactive atlas

Important Bird Area: IBA Entry for Welch Lake WMA