Land Acquisition: Property for the Nemaha Wildlife Area (formerly the Nemaha State Fishing Lake) was purchased by Nemaha County as a memorial to the Veterans of World War I. Construction of the lake and dam began in 1933 with the Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) being the primary labor force. During construction, it was determined that the lake would back water onto land that had not been purchased. As a result, property that had been acquired on the lake?s eastern side was traded for property at the southern end of the lake in order to accommodate the miscalculation of the lake elevation. This land was subsequently developed and today several private residences exist adjacent to the former lake property. The lake property was then donated to the Kansas Forestry, Fish and Game Commission. The lake existed until 1986 when the spillway washed out.

Area Description: The 705 acres of property contains approximately 60 acres upland grassland, 350 acres of oak/hardwood timber and the balance being riparian/bottomland.

In 2002, a 149-acre marsh was completed in the old lakebed by building a 6100 ft. berm adjacent to the Nemaha River. Next to the marsh a 20-acre borrow area, created by the construction of the wetland, provides fishing opportunities for anglers.

Primary species hunted on the area include white-tail deer, turkey, pheasant, bobwhite quail and squirrel. Trapping is allowed on the area.

Public Land Regulations

Special Regulations: *Observe the safety zone established near local residences. *Off-road vehicle and ATV use, horseback riding and target shooting are prohibited.

Special Features: Native limestone pillars along the dam portion of Highway 63 are on the State Historical Register. A Memorial to the Veterans of World War I is also located on the area. The area has a limestone shelterhouse for picnicking and a roadside campsite.