Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge

{{Short description|National Wildlife Refuge and coastal wetlands in Bayfield County, Wisconsin}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge

| iucn_category = IV

| map = Wisconsin#USA

| relief = 1

| map_caption = Map of the United States

| map_width = 300

| photo = Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center Ashland Wisconsin.jpg

| photo_caption = Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center

| photo_width =

| location = Barksdale, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, United States

| nearest_city = Ashland, Wisconsin

| coordinates = {{coord|46.5921|-90.962|region:US-WI|notes={{Cite web| url=http://protectedplanet.net/sites/Whittlesey_Creek_National_Wildlife_Refuge_Fws| title=Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge (Fws)| work=protectedplanet.net}}|display=inline, title}}

| area = {{Convert|329|acre|km2|abbr=on}}

| established = 1999

| visitation_num =

| visitation_year =

| governing_body = U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

| website = [https://www.fws.gov/refuge/whittlesey_creek/ Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge]

}}

Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge is part of a large wetland complex on Lake Superior, near Ashland, Wisconsin. These coastal wetlands are a significant part of the wildlife habitat and aquatic resources of the south shore of Lake Superior.

The refuge was established in 1999, and it is still being created. Its purpose is to protect, restore, and manage coastal wetland and spring-fed stream habitat. Up to {{convert|540|acre|km2}} of coastal wetland in the Whittlesey Creek watershed will be acquired, and up to {{convert|1260|acre|km2}} will be protected through conservation easements. {{As of|2010}}, {{Convert|329|acre|km2}} are protected.{{cite web |url= http://www.fws.gov/refuges/realty/archives/pdf/2010_Annual_Report_of_Lands.pdf |title= Annual Report of Lands Under Control of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |date= September 30, 2010 |work= www.fws.gov |publisher= U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |access-date=December 15, 2011}}

Restoration of coaster brook trout, a potamodromous fish native to Lake Superior, is one of the refuge goals. The refuge will also restore stream and wetland habitat to benefit other fish species and migratory birds.

The refuge is located immediately north of the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, which is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Wisconsin State Historical Society, University of Wisconsin Extension Service, and Friends of the Center Alliance, Ltd. The Center serves as the headquarters and contact station for the refuge.