21 Hardwood Impoundment 
wildlife viewing | directions and facility information
Photo: MI DNR
This area offers some great wildlife viewing opportunities
right from your vehicle. Wildlife have grown
accustomed to vehicles passing along the two dikes that cross the
impoundment. Good viewing can also be found from the water. Over six
miles of flooded bottom lands are dotted with islands and many acres of
flooded timber can be explored by canoe, kayak, small boat or even
pontoon. A boat access site is available at the county-run campground.
This area is in the middle of a huge deer wintering complex—a
mixture of cedar and other swamp conifer habitat with upland islands
covering many square miles. Deer concentrate in this sheltered habitat
during severe winter months, many migrating from as far away as 50 miles.
 Wildlife Viewing
Photo: MI DNR
Bald eagles nest in the vicinity and are frequently seen
roosting or hunting along the dikes. On the lake and wetland areas you
may see mallards, Canada
geese, grebes, and other waterfowl. Wood ducks are common here and you
can see nest boxes that have been erected for them. The area is home to
several Michigan
threatened species, including gray wolves, bald eagles, ospreys, plus a
variety of waterfowl, furbearers, bear and deer. Along the shoreline look
for herons wading in the shallow water. Belted kingfishers are also
common in this area. These blue-jay-size birds can be seen plunging into
the water to catch small fish. In the fringe areas around the
impoundment, you may see deer, raccoons, wild turkeys, and many species
of songbirds.
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