From Bar and Grills to hometown cafes, local foods and coffee shops, here is a comprehensive list of all the places to eat in our region. For a copy of our Antiques, Unique Shops, Dining and Lodging guide, see our contact page.
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Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area
Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area is a stopover for fall migrating Canada geese. Flocks of up to 100,000 can be seen during peak migration in late October. For more information call the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce at 320.598.7301.
Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located about 140 miles west of the Twin Cities in the Minnesota River Valley, northwest of Montevideo.Its headquarters is on the northeast side of Lac qui Parle Lake between the towns of Watson and Milan.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Lac qui Parle WMA lies in Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and Swift Counties. It is about 25 miles long, 1 to 3 miles wide, and encompasses more than 31,000 acres or over 48 square miles of land and water. Made up of wetlands, brushlands, woodlands, native prairie, and other grasslands and cropland. Lac qui Parle Lake (6,400 acres) and Marsh lake (5,100 acres) are the most prominent features.
Natural wetlands and man-made impoundments provide habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and aquatic furbearers. Most wetlands are near the lakes, but some upland areas contain marshes and smaller impoundments.
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Intensive management is required for sustained wildlife production. More than 2,000 acres of corn food plots are planted each year by local farmers and WMA personnel to provide feed for geese, deer and other wildlife. Native prairie nesting cover is maintained by controlled burning. Tree plantings are established to winter and escape cover. Water levels of impoundments are manipulated to maintain aquatic plant growth and enhance wildlife habitat.
RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Public hunting is the primary recreational use of the WMA, although thousands of bird watchers and nature observers visit the area each year. Geese are the most commonly hunted species, followed by duck, deer, and pheasants. Fox, raccoons, squirrels and rabbits are other species hunted on Lac qui Parle WMA.
Birdwatchers enjoy many song birds and waterfowl that use the WMA for nesting and as a migratory stopover. A bald eagle nest is located on an island in the Sanctuary. Anyone who likes to see abundant wildlife will enjoy a hike through the WMA. Within easy distance of woodlands, wetlands and prairie a variety of wildlife and plant species exist. Lac qui Parle's mix of hardwood, prairie and food plots have created a healthy deer herd. The sight of a whitetail or ducks at dawn are common almost any time of the year.
Trappers harvest from good populations of muskrat, mink, fox, raccoon and beaver. Permits are required to trap on the WMA.
Lac qui Parle and occasionally Marsh Lake have excellent crappie, walleye, northern pike and white bass fishing.
CONTROLLED GOOSE HUNT
Lac qui Parle is a goose hunting and watching paradise. In the fall as many as 150,000 Canada geese are on the area at one time.
Hunting within the Lac qui Parle Controlled Hunting Zone is limited to designated hunting stations. The migratory Canada geese are mostly from the Eastern Prairie Population (EPP), which nests near the southwestern shore of Hudson's Bay and traditionally winter on and near the Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of these EPP geese use the management area during migration. Hunters who want to know more about the controlled hunt should contact the Lac qui Parle headquarters.
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA RULES
Activities permitted:
Activities requiring a permit:
Prohibited activities:
FOR MORE INFORMATION Lac qui Parle WMA Phone (507) 354-219 Phone(612) 296-3344 |
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LilleHaugen Inn Bed & Breakfast
440 70th Street NE
Benson, MN 56215 Phone: 320-843-4135
Specialty meals by reservations |
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Liquor Store
421 Atlantic Ave.
DeGraff, MN 56271 Phone: 320-843-3107
Breakfast, lunch, supper, specials, bar baskets |
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Margaret's Cafe
85 1st Ave.
Clara City, MN 56222 Phone: 320-847-2237
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Marietta American Legion - Post 156
Hwy 40 & 3 Ave.
Marietta, MN 56257 Phone: 320-668-2580
Supper M-Sat, lunch on Saturday, pizza |
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McDonald's
1706 E Hwy 7
Montevideo, MN 56265 Phone: 320-269-7515
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McKinney's on Southside
300 14th St. S
Benson, MN 56215 Phone: 320-842-4900
Lunch and supper, T-Sun, full bar |
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Meat Shoppe, The
1133 15th St.
Granite Falls, MN 56241 Phone: 320-564-3400
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Midway Cafe
115 1st St. W
Canby, MN 56220 Phone: 507-223-7421
Mid-west style meals, specialties on request |
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Mi Mexico
1315 Pacific Ave.
Benson, MN 56215 Phone: 320-842-8001
Lunch and supper, Mexican food, bar, seats 75 |
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