PARK HISTORY AND INFORMATION

INTERPRETER INFORMATION

One of the best ways to experience Goose Lake Prairie is to walk the trails. With seven and a half miles of walking trails, you will have ample opportunity for viewing the plants and animals that make the area unique.

Plan on a 30 minute or so stop at the visitor center, and you will enjoy your visit to Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area just a bit more. A video will acquaint you with the area, as will the center’s nature displays. The park has a seasonal interpreter from April through August presenting different weekend programs, while multi-media presentations, lectures and guided hikes are also available for groups giving two-week notice. Groups of 25 or more need to get advance permission to enter the park from the site superintendent.

Adjacent to Goose Lake Prairie is the 2,000 acre Heidecke Lake, previously a cooling lake for Midwest Generation Collins Generating Station (now dismantled). The lake area is known as Heidecke State Fish and Wildlife Area.

The lake, which is managed by the state, offers excellent fishing and hunting for area sports persons. A boat launch is available only for those purposes. No water skiing, swimming, wading, sailboating or personal watercraft is allowed at Heidecke Lake. The boating access is open from 6 a.m. to sunset. The bank fishing access area is located on the east side of Heidecke Lake on Old Collins Road. Bank fishing access is open from 6:30 a.m. to sunset. Both areas are open seven days a week, weather permitting.