Odessa Wildlife Management Area
The Odessa WMA is the southern end of the 6,400-acre Odessa Wildlife Area, a complex mix of wetlands, forest, open water, backwater ponds and timbered chutes. The area offers abundant opportunities for fishing, hunting, paddling, watching wildlife and more.
For information about the north end of Odessa go to:
Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge
Amenities
- six parking lots
- three Odessa boat accesses
- one Mississippi River access
- Snively Access Campground
- picnic area (Shafer Access)
Reasons to Visit
Special Interests: Viewing eagles, waterfowl and other wetland bird species; canoeing and kayaking
Watchable Wildlife: eagles (year round); waterfowl and wetland birds; other wetland wildlife;
Paddling: six accesses; Odessa Water Trail has 3 marked routes; water levels change seasonally
Hunting:
major - waterfowl (special regulations apply), deer, turkey, squirrel;
Get Map
(pdf ~940k)
Fishing: shallow lake, wetlands
Trails: hiking (flat, mowed, service road)
Location:
East of Wapello
County Road X61, Wapello, IA 52653
Size: 3828 acres
Habitat: open water, forest, wetland
Special Info: Part of area has controlled waterfowl hunting
Management:
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
bill.ohde@dnr.state.ia.us 319-523-8319
