Lake Pepin
History & Geography of Lake Pepin
In 1679 Pierre and Jean Pepin had come down from St. Lawrence Canada resulting in the name Pepin for the lake, village, and county. The Village of Pepin sits on the shores of Lake Pepin, a body of water that stretches from Bay City, Wisconsin down to Reads Landing, Minnesota. The lake stretches a total of 3 miles wide and 23 miles long. Frontenac State Park takes up most of the Minnesota side, while the Villages of Pepin, Stockholm, and Maiden Rock are on the Wisconsin side. Historically, the Pepin area was known as a farming community but now, Lake Pepin offers many attractions since the lake is great for sailing, canoeing, boating, swimming, fishing, and even tour boat rides.
Why is Lake Pepin Area good hunting?
Lake Pepin Wildlife Area is located on State Highway 35 just south of the Village of Stockholm. Originally, this land was purchased to become a state park along Lake Pepin but was never developed and reverted to a state wildlife area. This wildlife area consists of a mix of bottomland hardwood trees and brush. Primarily this area is to be managed as a wildlife habitat since the wildlife thrives around Lake Pepin. On the border of Pepin County is over 13,000 acres that are known well for deer, grouse, turkey, and waterfowl hunting. Beaver, otter, muskrat, and raccoon also call this area home making it a popular trapping area.
Coulee Country
Coulee Country in Wisconsin is a local common name for La Crosse, Vernon, and Monroe Counties. Although, La Crosse is the primary city of the Coulee Region. The name “Coulee” means to flow and is referring to the Mississippi River that flows through this area.
From ancient bluffs, breathtaking landscapes, and historic monuments, Coulee Country is known to have the best scenic views in the entire state. The Grandad Bluff is 600-ft high and overlooks the city of La Crosse, becoming a destination point for thousands. Along with the great scenic views, there are three rivers and over 101 miles of the best biking trails, hiking trails, and fishing in the region.
Bluff Country of Wisconsin
Bluff Country, is also known as, the Driftless Area due to being missed by the last ice age’s glaciers. This area is made up of agriculture, hardwood forests, trout streams, springs, and underground caves. For people who like to travel, Bluff Country offers over 60 miles of biking, hiking as well as groomed cross-country ski trails in the winter.
For the more recreational enthusiasts, Bluff Country offers fly fishing and kayaking in the rivers and is known to be home to record-class bucks and turkeys in the hardwood forests.