At its June 24th meeting, the DNR Board will consider buying an additional 44 acres along Anthony Branch in the Anthony Branch Fish and Wildlife Area.  The purchase would include .3 mile (about 1600 feet) of double stream frontage. The area is on the west end of the property, near the stream’s headwaters, and off USH 14, just south of Oregon. SWT President Jim Hess, with the Board’s approval, sent a letter to the DNR Board supporting this purchase.

Anthony Branch is a most interesting stream. It has very cold water and wild brown trout. The surrounding land is really interesting with some great stands of oaks, a large sedge meadow, and lands that the DNR is trying to restore to natural vegetation. Some of the stream runs through reed canary dominated lowland and is not easily fished as the season progresses. Access is difficult to the headwater area off 14 and I’m not sure how often, if ever, it’s fished.

Much of the 44 acres is farmed and will eventually be converted to native vegetation. The purchase is good because of the additional protection it will afford the creek, improved public access over time, and expansion of an area that offers good hunting, birding, and walking. It also marks the first DNR purchase of additional lands and frontage on a Dane County trout stream in years. While the DNR has pursued easements, which are great, a purchase often offers better access, more restoration options, and most recreational activities. I hope this marks a change in DNR practice with regard to land acquisitions in our area.

Thanks go to Dan Oele, our fish biologist, and especially to Julie Widholm, the Dane County Wildlife biologist, who led this effort.