The Minnesota River, along with its major drainages of the Chippewa, Pomme de Terre and Yellow Medicine rivers, and plentiful lakes including Big Stone and Lac qui Parle are a recreational magnet for fisherman, hunters, birders, paddlers and nature enthusiasts. |
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| A combination of refuges, public management areas, a state park and private lands along the Minnesota River form one of the largest intact river ecosystems in the United States. The 62,000 acres of managed wetland, woodland and virgin prairie provide an excellent environment for wildlife and native vegetation. | |||
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Lac qui Parle State Park
County Rd 33
Montevideo, MN 56265 Phone: 320.752.4736
7 mi. north of Montevideo on Hwy 7/59, then 3 1/2 mi. west on Cty Rd 13. 56 campsites, 22 electric sites Lac qui Parle State Park is located on the west side of Lac qui Parle Lake. Go 12 miles northwest of Montevideo on Hwy. 7. Take Chippewa Co. Rd. 13 to Lac qui Parle Co. Rd. 33, follow 33 around the southern tip of the lake north to the park entrance. To access the park from the north; leave Hwy. 40 at the Milan bridge and take Lac qui Parle Co. Rd. 33 south 7 miles to the park entrance. Historical Features: Lac qui Parle, the “Lake that speaks” according to Dakota legend, was named by French explorers who lived with the Native Americans. Some of the earliest archaeological artifacts in the state have been found along the beaches of this area. Lac qui Parle State Park consists of 530 acres. It is the southern gateway to Lac qui Parle Lake, a broadening of the Minnesota River in the Glacial River Warren Valley. To the north and west of the recreation area is the 32,000 acre Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area. Wildlife / Goose Hunting: The management of wildlife-deer, geese, prairie chickens, and other animals - is a major success story. Lac qui Parle has become one of the biggest and most popular goose management areas in the United States. In some years, 400 goslings are born. Goose hunting in the fall is enjoyed by many hunters along Lac qui Parle Lake. Watching the seasonal migrations of waterfowl is a popular activity at Lac qui Parle. The geese arrive in early March and continue through April...as many as 200,000 geese can be seen at one time there. Spring migrations of all waterfowl continue through April. In the first half of September, fall flights begin and continue until early December. Flights of whistling swans pass over Lac qui Parle in April and November. Pelicans nest in the area on a one-acre island. A checklist “Birds of Lac qui Parle State Park” is available at the park or by calling 320.752.4736. The 229 birds listed on this checklist are the regular and casual species sighted in or near the park. Hiking, Biking, Swimming, Boating, Fishing, Picnicking:
The state park has 65 semi-modern campsites (22 with electricity), showers and flush toilets, primitive group camps (50 capacity), horseback riders group camp (100 capacity) with an open shelter, 33 picnic sites, swimming beach, drive-in boat launch to Lac qui Parle Lake, 6 miles of hiking trail, 6 miles of horseback riding trails, 5 miles of ski trail, trailer sanitation dump station, canoe access to Lac qui Parle River, and public telephone. Fishing is a popular year-round activity on Lac qui Parle Lake. Winter Activities:
Great cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, snowshoeing, ice fishing, skating, warming house and more await visitors looking for outdoor adventure. Bring your camera to capture the beauty of these sparkling winter landscapes. Daily or annual permits are required for all vehicles entering a state park. They may be purchased at the park headquarters. For information contact Lac qui Parle State Park Manager, Rt. 5, Box 74A, Montevideo, MN 56265-9804 • 320.752.4736. |
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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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Lagoon Park
Hwy 7
Montevideo, MN 56265 Phone: 320.269.6575
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Lagoon Park
Hwy 7
56265, MN Phone: 320-269-6575/5026
Bathroom, shelter, picnic facilities, play equipment, fishing showers, basketball, horseshoes, 10 sites. |
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Lake Sylvan
MN Highway 75 South
Canby, MN 56220 Phone: 507.223.7586
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