Easement to Allow Public Access to Half Mile of Popular Trout Fishery Near Paoli
It will be easier to fish one of area’s most popular waterways under a new agreement between Dane County and a local property owner, County Executive Joe Parisi announced today. The County is looking to acquire an easement for a half mile of frontage along the West Branch of the Sugar River near Paoli. The easement is adjacent to one of the County’s largest conservation projects, the Falk Wells Sugar River Wildlife Area.
“The Sugar River is not only a top notch fishery, it’s also one of our county’s most picturesque natural resources as it winds through the farm fields of southwestern Dane County,” Parisi said. “We’ve done a lot of work in this area in recent years to protect highly valuable land and water resources while making sure those of all ages have the opportunity to get outside and enjoy all our county has to offer.”
The Sugar River is a cold water trout stream and this half mile meandering stretch of the river is located just south of Verona and near the unincorporated community of Paoli. The easement is adjacent to Dane County’s Falk Wells Sugar River Wildlife Area, hundreds of acres acquired along the Sugar River in 2013 for preservation and outdoor recreation.
https://www.countyofdane.com/press/details.aspx?id=3040
A decade ago, Dane County created a program to protect and restore popular fishing streams with the goal of making it easier for families to get outdoors and enjoy these waterways. Since creation of this streambank easement fund in 2007, the County has permanently protected over 19 miles of stream and river frontage, opening up new areas for public fishing access.
Under terms of the agreement, the County will purchase the easement for $31,600. The parcels will continue to be privately owned with the public fishing managed by the Dane County Parks Commission.
The resolution authorizing purchase of this easement will be reviewed by the County Board of Supervisors in the coming weeks.
