Leesville Lake Wildlife Area

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
Leesville Wildlife Area is located in Carroll County. Three separate parcels, totalling 394 acres, make up this wildlife area. Access to the public land is from State Route 164, Delta Road, and Edgewood Road.

HISTORY AND PURPOSE
Purchase of the land for this wildlife area began in 1944 and additional land was obtained as funds became available. Management work has included the planting of thousands of conifers, protection and improvement of the woodlands, selection of areas which will be allowed to return to woodland through natural succession, clear-cuts on small blocks of older timber, and management of existing open fields, all to maintain habitat diversity.

Hunting is the major recreational use of the area; sightseeing, hiking, fishing, nature study, and bird watching are the other popular recreational uses.

FISH AND WILDLIFE
This area is primarily used by forest species which include deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, and grey squirrel. The cottontail rabbit and all furbearers common to the region are found on the area. Migrant birds can be seen in abundance during the spring migration and black bears have been sighted infrequently on the wildlife area.

HUNTING, TRAPPING, AND FISHING
Leesville Lake Wildlife Area has many good squirrel woods, brushy areas and small openland sites. Cutover timber stands and wooded areas produce excellent wild turkey and grouse hunting. Rabbit hunting is best in the brushy uplands and along field edges and borders. White-tailed deer occupy this area as well and can be hunted during the bow and gun seasons.

A hydrographic fishing map of Leesville Lake (Publication 254) is available upon request.


UNUSUAL FEATURES
The rugged, scenic beauty of the area attracts many sightseers. Visitors find a wide variety of plant communities and in association with them, a diversity of songbirds and other wildlife.

PUBLIC USE FACILITIES
Parking lots are strategically situated along the roadways where public access is available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Leesville Lake web page maintained by the Muskingum Watershed Conservation District. Leesville Lake web page maintained by the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Huntington District.