Lost Island Lake SP

About this Location

Important Bird Area.
From Emmetsburg, take Highway 18 west to 340th Ave for about 10 miles and turn north on 340th Ave. The lake is about 3 miles north of Highway 18.

About Dewey's Pasture Bird Conservation Area

See all hotspots at Dewey's Pasture Bird Conservation Area

One of Iowa's most historic prairie pothole wetland areas, Dewey's Pasture WMA is a National Natural Landmark. Its abundant marshes, shallow lakes and extensive grasslands offer significant nesting, feeding and migration staging habitatfor waterfowl, shorebirds and others. Cryptic marshbirds nest on the marhes, and uplands offer nesting habitat for a number of declining neotropical migrants. It also is a candidate for future DNR designation as a nationally significant Bird Conservation Area.

From US Highway 18 between Spncer and Emmetsburg, turn north on County Highway N18 approximately 1/2 mile west of Ruthven. N18 passes Barriger Slough, Lost Island Lake and bisects the center of the Dewey's Pasture-Smith's Slough-Trumbell Lake wetlands complex. There are numerours parking areas, turn-offs and other places for easy observation of birds.

Features

  • Roadside viewing

  • Entrance fee

Content from Iowa Ornithologists' Union and Dewey's Pasture BCA