Mink Creek Wildlife

Discover Mink Creek Wildlife in Charles City

Mink Creek Wildlife Area is an 87-acre public hunting and wildlife management area located just west of Charles City along the Avenue of the Saints. Originally developed as a mitigation site during highway construction, the property has been restored to include wetlands, native prairie, mature oak trees, woodland edges, and planted windbreaks.

The wetland provides important habitat for ducks, geese, swans, frogs, amphibians, and migrating birds. Wood duck nesting boxes are maintained and monitored each year, while cattails, shallow-water areas, and deeper open water provide a variety of feeding, resting, and nesting habitats. A bio-reactor was installed to aid in water filtration as it leaves the wetland. Visitors may see purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, yarrow, blazing star, gray-headed coneflowers, and other native plants that attract monarch butterflies and many additional pollinators. 

The area is popular for duck, goose, pheasant, and other upland bird hunting during designated seasons. Although there are no maintained hiking trails, visitors are welcome to explore the property for hiking, wildflower viewing, birdwatching, wildlife observation, and hunting.

 For more information on the bioreactor