Visit Us
National wildlife refuges and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lands like waterfowl production areas offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Michigan Wetland Management District is made up of five areas.
Michigan Wetland Management District lands are open for public use including hunting and other wildlife-dependent activities such as wildlife observation, photography and environmental education. State hunting and trapping regulations apply to the district. Please observe and respect the property boundaries of surrounding landowners.
Fees
There is no charge to visit district lands.
Restrooms
Restrooms are not available on the waterfowl production areas.
Points of Interest
Each waterfowl production area waterfowl production area
Waterfowl production areas are small natural wetlands and grasslands within the National Wildlife Refuge System that provide breeding, resting and nesting habitat for millions of waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds and other wildlife. Virtually all waterfowl production areas are in the Prairie Pothole Region states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Learn more about waterfowl production area is open for public use throughout the year. The areas range in size from 77 to 160 acres. We encourage you to take an hour or two to explore the wetlands, grasslands and woodlands on these areas. There are no restrooms or other facilities on the areas other than a parking lot.
What To Do
If you have 15 minutes
- Bring your binoculars and look for birds near the parking area
- Take a walk
- Unwind, relax and enjoy some fresh air
If you have one hour
- Bring the family and explore
- Take a bike ride on the old farm roads
- See how many different flowers, trees, fungi or birds you can identify
If you have half a day or more
- Set up a pop-up photo blind and take photos
- Download one of the many citizen science apps like eBird or iNaturalist and make some observations
- Go hunting
Know Before You Go
- Binoculars, cameras and field guides are helpful tools to bring along
- The areas may have mosquitos and ticks. Please consider using insect repellant and wearing protective clothing.
- There are no designated hiking trails, so please enjoy but explore with caution
- The terrain is uneven so wear comfortable shoes or boots
- Sunscreen and drinking water may help make your trip more enjoyable
Visitor Tips
- Morning and evening are the best times to visit to see wildlife
- Sometimes you can use your vehicle as a blind. Birds and other wildlife that are used to seeing cars may run when they see a person, but not a vehicle.
- Remember to check for ticks when you leave
- Before you visit you can check iNaturalist and eBird for recent sightings to see what other visitors have seen
- April to May are the best time to see spring migratory birds
- June to August are the best times to see wildlife with young
- September to November are the best months for fall migratory birds
- The first two weeks of October are usually the best weeks for fall color
Activities
Michigan Wetland Management District is a great place to recreate. We hope you will enjoy the opportunities your public lands have to offer.
Trails
Michigan Wetland Management District does not have any official trails; however these former farmlands have several old roads which run throughout the properties. Many of these old roads are the perfect place to take a walk. Through a memorandum of understanding, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources mows some of these old roads and helps maintain the properties and parking lots.
Other Facilities in the Complex
Michigan Wetland Management District is administered by Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge with management assistance provided by the Michigan Private Lands Office in East Lansing, Michigan.
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge administers Malan, Kinney, Schlee and Edger Waterfowl Production Areas while Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge administers Schoonover Waterfowl Production Area.
Rules and Policies
The district’s waterfowl production areas are managed in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. If you witness or suspect a wildlife or district violation contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s hotline at 1-844-697-8477 or contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources “Report All Poaching” hotline by calling 1-800-292-7800.
Welcome to your wetland management district wetland management district
A wetland management district is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office that manages waterfowl production areas in one or more counties. Waterfowl production areas are small natural wetlands and grasslands that provide breeding, resting and nesting habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds and other wildlife. The Fish and Wildlife Service acquires waterfowl production areas under the authority of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, primarily using funds from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps. The Refuge System’s 38 wetland management districts comprise thousands of waterfowl production areas – almost all in the Prairie Pothole Region of the Northern Great Plains.
Learn more about wetland management district . District lands are open every day for you to discover new places to hunt, fish, take pictures, watch wildlife, walk, bike, cross-country ski and snowshoe.
Access to the district lands are half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset unless otherwise posted. Do not enter areas that are signed as closed.
Hunting, fishing and trapping seasons generally follow state seasons and regulations. Please consult the district manager at 517-351-6236 if you have questions. We may post additional site-specific regulations.
To ensure your safety and protect wildlife and habitat, please be aware of these regulations.
Special use permits may be issued for compatible secondary uses upon approval of the district manager. Contact the district office for application information at 517-351-4230.
Locations
Michigan Wetland Management District can be contacted through the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.
From US-127 South take the Lake Lansing Road Exit 179 and head east on West Lake Lansing Road to Coolidge Road. Turn left (north) and go approximately 0.3 miles, the office is located in a brick building on the left (west side).
The 160 acre Schlee Waterfowl Production Area contains approximately 86 acres of grassland, 50 acres of wetlands and 24 acres of upland forest and shrub habitat. The mixture of wetlands and grassland provides high quality nesting and brood-rearing habitat for ducks such as mallards and blue-winged teal as well as a variety of songbirds.
More than 60 species of birds have been observed on the area including 10 species of waterfowl. During certain times of the year, large groups of wood ducks, mallards and sandhill cranes can be seen using the area. Herons, shorebirds and grassland birds are commonly observed on the property. Muskrats, deer, rabbits and other mammals, as well as a variety of amphibians and reptiles, are found on the area as well.
Schlee Waterfowl Production Area is in Jackson County east of the city of Jackson near the town of Grass Lake. From US-127 south of Jackson take the Page Avenue Exit (Exit 38) and turn east. The area is on the left (north) side of Page Avenue in approximately six miles. There is a parking area near the center of the property.
The Schoonover Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) was transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1991 to preserve wetlands and grasslands for waterfowl and other wildlife. WPAs are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System
This WPA is managed by the Service through the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. The 95-acre Schoonover WPA contains 34 acres of grassland, 53 acres of wetlands, 8 acres of upland forest and other habitat. The mixture of wetlands and grasslands provides high quality nesting and brood-rearing habitat for ducks such as mallards and bluewing teal as well as a variety of songbirds. Mallards, Canada geese, and variety of other waterfowl use the Schoonover WPA for nesting, brood rearing and during migration. A variety of wading birds, shorebirds and grassland songbirds also use the property. Muskrats, deer, rabbits and other mammals, as well as a variety of amphibians and reptiles, are also found on the area.
The Schoonover WPA is open for public use including hunting and other wildlife-dependent activities such as wildlife observation, photography, and environment education. State hunting regulations apply to the area. Please respect the property boundaries of surrounding landowners.
Schoonover Waterfowl Production Area is just south of Clayton, Michigan in Lenawee County. From Clayton take M-156 (Morey Highway) south about three miles then turn left (east) on Medina Road and go about 1.4 miles. The parking lot is on the right (west) side of the road about 0.2 miles south of the large bend in the road.
In 2006, the 137 acre Malan Waterfowl Production Area was acquired. In 2008, farm fields on the property were planted to a mixture of native grasses and wildflowers, and the wetland basins were restored. The area contains 74 acres of grassland, 36 acres of wetlands, 27 acres of upland forest and other habitat. The mixture of wetlands and grasslands provides high quality nesting and brood rearing habitat for ducks such as mallards and blue-winged teal, geese, a variety of grassland songbirds and pollinator habitat for the monarch and other native bee species.
Malan Waterfowl Production Area is in Jackson County north of the town of Grass Lake. From Grass Lake take Mount Hope Road north about eight miles to Hannawald Road. Turn right (east) onto Hannawald Road about two miles then turn left (north) onto Parks Road. Head north on Parks Road for three miles to Tophith Road. Turn right (east) on Tophith Road 1.5 miles to the parking area. The area is on the right (south) side of the road.
The 77 acre Kinney Waterfowl Production Area contains approximately 26 acres of grassland, 32 acres of wetlands and 19 acres of upland forest. The wetland area is associated with the 150 acre Grass Lake, a portion of which is included within the area. In 2014 the Michigan Department of Natural Resources acquired most of the remaining portion of Grass Lake and the adjacent uplands totaling 385 acres and is now called the Cornish State Game Area.
The mixture of wetlands and grassland provides high quality nesting and brood-rearing habitat for ducks such as mallards and blue-winged teal as well as a variety of songbirds. Mallards, Canada geese and a variety of waterfowl use the area for nesting, brood rearing and during migration. A variety of wading birds, shorebirds and grassland birds are commonly observed on the property. Deer, rabbits and other mammals, as well as a variety of amphibians and reptiles, are also found on the area.
Kinney Waterfowl Production Area is in Van Buren County. From the city of Lawton take M-40 south about four miles to County Road 352. Turn left (east) on County Road 352 and drive about 1.5 miles to the Kinney Waterfowl Production Area access road on the right (south) side of the road. There is a Kinney Waterfowl Production Area sign marking the access road where 29th Street turns to the north. Take the access road to the parking area.
In 2007, the 160 acre Edger Waterfowl Production Area was acquired. In 2008, hedge rows were removed and former hay fields were converted to a mixture of native grasses and wildflowers. In 2010, 4 acres of wetlands were enhanced and restored for waterfowl production. The area contains 69 acres of grassland, 25 acres of wetlands and 66 acres of upland forest and other habitat. The mixture of wetlands and grasslands provides high quality nesting and brood rearing habitat for ducks such as mallards and wood ducks, geese, a variety of grassland songbirds and pollinator habitat for the monarch and other native bee species.
Edger Waterfowl Production Area is jointly managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Edger Waterfowl Production Area is west of Hastings, Michigan in Barry County. From Hastings take M-43 to M-179 (Chief Noonday Road) West. The property is on the right (north) side of the road about two miles from where M-179 begins. There is a parking area on the west side of the property off M-179 and a lot on Irwin Road off M-179.