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completely, and a much larger 20" culvert pipe was installed through the dam and encased with hog wire fencing to prevent beavers from stuffing the pipe full of timber to block water passage. Over the course of a single year, beavers were able to dam the area around the hog wire fencing and again gain control of the water level. Work is ongoing to try and reach a permanent solution to water level control on Hunt Lake.
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278:(autumn olive) was planted in the 1950s under the recommendation of the then Michigan Department of Conservation (now the Michigan Department of Natural Resources), as the shrub was believed to be very beneficial to wildlife. It is now known to be invasive, and an 8-acre (32,000 m) area was cut back in 2006 and converted to a hayland.
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Hunt Lake is 10 acres (40,000 m) in size and has an 11-acre (45,000 m) area of flooded timber at the north end of the lake which is known as Hunt Marsh. Hunt Marsh is a result of this same beaver activity creating the impoundment blocking Enzo Creek, the only outlet to Hunt Lake. Hunt Lake
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In 2006 one wood duck nesting box was installed at Enzo Creek, and a resident hen successfully hatched two ducklings while taking up residence. In 2007, two additional nesting boxes were installed to help provide optimal nesting habitat. In
October 2007 a check was made on one of the nesting boxes
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were installed in 2009 by Enzo Creek's management to help control the water level in Hunt Marsh, which had been steadily growing since 2005. This method of water control proved to be ineffective as beavers were able to block water passage through the pipes. The beaver pipes were ultimately removed
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When observed, they are without question one of the most amazing creatures to observe as they are often socially playful with one another. Of special note is the river otter's acute sensitivity to any form of environmental pollution, as it generally vacates any area with tainted water quality very
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Since 2006, several stands of conifers have been planted for future economic timber value and also to provide dense cover for several wildlife species. Approximately 8,000 red pines were planted in a 2-acre (8,100 m) stand primarily for future economic timber value and 1500 jack pine were
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sighting is not impossible, as black bear have been observed on the sanctuary on multiple occasions. Most recently, in May 2023, a black bear became a regular visitor and was observed on trail cameras taking a fondness to a honey bee hive causing several hundred dollars damage and destroying
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were viewed waddling in a pool below one of Hunt Marsh's several beaver dams. Bufflehead are arguably one of the most colorful species of waterfowl which pass through Enzo Creek each spring and fall. En route from the bird's southern winter range to Canada's
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Enzo Creek, the creek for which the sanctuary owes its name, flows South and
Easterly and joins the outlet to Townline Lake. Enzo Creek flows approximately 1.3 miles from its beginning at Hunt Lake before it joins Ryan Creek, which then flows into the
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The abundance of wildlife is spectacular at the
Sanctuary. It is the waterfowl habitat that makes Enzo Creek so unique. In autumn, when waterfowl are migrating, Hunt Marsh and Hunt Lake are home to many species of waterfowl. Most abundant are
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that is the foundation upon which Enzo Creek's wildlife management plan has found success. The mineral and oil composition of Enzo Creek is largely unknown, although areas of
Mecosta County are known to have abundant reserves of crude oil.
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from the time of implantation to either 30 days after their bood hatch, complete brood loss, or death. Data from this study was instrumental in helping Ducks
Unlimited revise their managagment plan for Great Lakes mallard populations.
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conducted extensive research on mallard nesting success at Enzo Creek in 2003. As part of the study, 60 mallard hens were decoy trapped in the early spring and surgically implanted with transmitters. Hens were followed via
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is at the top of the food chain, and considering it is such a small body of water, Hunt's pike are in balance with the forage available in the lake. Most are in the 3–5 year class, but much older fish are also found.
627:, which is located approximately 1-mile (1.6 km) west of Enzo Creek. Evidence of nesting activity at Enzo Creek was recently observed with the first sighting of a nest under construction in August 2009.
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found at Enzo Creek Nature
Sanctuary is as diverse as its flora. It is the abundance of appropriate habitat which makes it possible to view wildlife within the sanctuary. On any given day, one may see
344:(also known as Michigan holly) is a colorful addition to Hunt Marsh in the winter when the marsh's greenery subsides in late fall. It also provides an abundant forage base for many wild birds.
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multiple colonies. In 2007, the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources extended the range for bear hunting to include Mecosta County due in part to their sustainable abundance.
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548:, which is threatened and even endangered within its range. These turtles do not reach sexual maturity until they are 18–20 years old and may live to be as old as 70 years.
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can be found in the spring nesting in sandy areas of the preserve. Rarely do they pose a threat if encountered in water, but on land they can be very aggressive if disturbed.
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55:. The landscape is rolling in elevation, and no less than 13 soil types are found throughout. Rocky deposits are found throughout Enzo Creek, a result of Michigan's last
35:. The objective of the sanctuary is to enhance the habitat of the sanctuary for the benefit of the fish and wildlife which live within or migrate through the sanctuary.
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installed in the spring, and there was no sign of nesting activity. It is speculated that the abundance of other natural nesting habitat precluded it from use.
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was identified in Hunt Lake in 2006, and it unclear if this fish was the sole representative of its species or if a small reproductive population exists.
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Nehmer Lake is also accessible from the sanctuary. It is approximately 8 acres (32,000 m) in size, and although shallower than Hunt Lake, it has a
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is also prevalent on Hunt Lake and Hunt Marsh. Able to swim for nearly a mile underwater when disturbed, they often seem to disappear without a trace..
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have been stocked on several occasions. However, their survival in abundance has been curtailed due to predation by northern pike.
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make up the bulk of the forage base. A complete fishery survey had not yet been completed as of 2007. Strangely, a four-year-old
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found at Enzo Creek have yet to be comprehensively inventoried, as the project would be a colossal undertaking. Tree types include
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98:, which is 73 acres (300,000 m) in size. The sanctuary has nearly 1/4 mile frontage on the Southwest shore of the lake.
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also take up residence on Hunt Lake, and their presence is known by their unique cry at twilight, although the birds prefer
19:, named after the creek that divides the sanctuary North to South, is a 150-acre (0.61 km) privately managed
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has a maximum depth of 30 feet (9.1 m), and visibility generally exceeds 5 feet (1.5 m), despite a
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518:. Beaver remain very active in the marsh and any novice can identify their trademark "stump" left behind.
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ponds are located on the property. Most are no more than three feet deep, and were formed as a result of
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quickly. Their existence at Enzo Creek is a testament to the water quality within the nature sanctuary
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are also abundant and seen traveling throughout the lakes, ponds, marsh and even Enzo Creek.
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Hunt Marsh would not exist without the activity of the world's second-largest rodent: the
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which is known as a deciduous conifer and hence loses its needles each autumn.
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are observed on a frequent basis as they ambush fish, a staple in their diet.
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483:(located 600 ft (180 m) to the east of Enzo Creek) due to its size.
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Enzo Creek's water resources are a key ingredient to its unique ecosystem.
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soaring low over Hunt Lake or Hunt Marsh. Bald eagles often hunt over the
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The most recent species of interest to be identified at Enzo Creek is the
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area with poor soil types suitable for jack pine but not conducive to
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Selective harvest of aspen was done in 2003 to improve habitat for
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of flooded timber along its margins. The maximum depth is unknown.
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are also part of the food pyramid, but to a much lesser extent.
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The terrain at Enzo Creek is incredibly diverse. From non-tidal
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as a pair was seen gliding from tree to tree in
November 2011.
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plants to serve as a future area of dense cover for wildlife.
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to nest, they are vulnerable to predation by the bald eagle.
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about 14,000 years ago. It is the sanctuary's diversity of
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which often uses leaf litter and underbrush as a hideout.
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for several months in the summer where patches of white
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Wildflowers are found in every season except winter.
51:, the land is fertile and nurtures a healthy vibrant
609:Nehmer Lake is similar in resources as Hunt Lake.
262:There are several other tree species including
328:are abundant. The Hunt Marsh is covered with
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657:Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
270:is abundant in many areas of the sanctuary.
752:Protected areas of Mecosta County, Michigan
581:Hunt Lake harbors a vibrant fishery. The
536:Blanding's turtle is a threatened species.
747:Wildlife sanctuaries of the United States
312:Aquatic flora is abundant and diverse.
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630:In this same survey, several migratory
562:Snapping turtle nesting at Enzo Creek
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668:"Ducks Unlimited - Great Lakes HEN"
486:Due to the abundance of waterfowl,
243:and other upland birds such as the
428:Black Bear Destroys Honey Bee Hive
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566:Another common amphibian is the
503:Hunt Marsh is also home to the
447:A hen wild turkey at Enzo Creek
619:It is not uncommon to view an
356:A whitetail fawn at Enzo Creek
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94:The largest body of water is
316:species such as narrow leaf
757:Nature reserves in Michigan
17:Enzo Creek Nature Sanctuary
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544:Enzo Creek is home to the
340:is common in Hunt Marsh.
135:Spider webs in Hunt Marsh
453:northern flying squirrel
309:serve only as examples.
577:Blue-spotted Salamander
568:Blue-spotted salamander
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553:common snapping turtle
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83:damming flowing water.
707:43.71611°N 85.44694°W
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285:Enzo Creek in October
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527:northern river otter
419:ring-necked pheasant
336:can also be found.
712:43.71611; -85.44694
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621:American bald eagle
275:Elaeagnus umbellata
31:, near the city of
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218:eastern white pine
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49:northern hardwoods
21:wildlife sanctuary
546:Blanding's turtle
383:cottontail rabbit
367:white-tailed deer
295:Indian paintbrush
194:American hornbeam
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730:Official website
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670:. Archived from
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152:species such as
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588:Largemouth bass
488:Ducks Unlimited
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303:multiflora rose
291:Cardinal flower
222:eastern hemlock
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57:glacial retreat
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722:External links
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625:Muskegon River
600:emerald shiner
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268:Staghorn sumac
264:tamarack larch
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112:Muskegon River
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25:Mecosta County
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674:on 2011-07-26
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676:. Retrieved
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118:Beaver Pipes
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75:Four highly
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604:muskellunge
509:Kingfishers
379:wild turkey
342:Winterberry
245:wild turkey
234:blue spruce
166:sugar maple
114:watershed.
106:substrate.
23:located in
741:Categories
698:85°26′49″W
695:43°42′58″N
678:2009-12-18
643:References
632:bufflehead
434:black bear
334:water lily
326:giant reed
307:trout lily
230:Scots pine
226:arborvitae
206:Coniferous
47:to mature
33:Big Rapids
493:telemetry
461:wood duck
411:porcupine
387:squirrels
348:The fauna
322:horsetail
210:jack pine
190:sassafras
158:white oak
150:deciduous
140:The flora
90:Hunt Lake
77:eutrophic
68:The water
53:ecosystem
592:Bluegill
465:mallards
330:duckweed
318:cattails
214:red pine
198:ironwood
39:The land
29:Michigan
614:sunfish
520:Muskrat
407:raccoon
391:eastern
314:Wetland
204:trees.
162:red oak
154:pin oak
81:beavers
61:habitat
611:Hybrid
598:, and
516:beaver
471:, and
417:, and
403:coyote
397:, and
375:bobcat
324:, and
257:forage
253:fallow
232:, and
202:walnut
200:, and
182:cherry
477:Loons
362:fauna
186:apple
178:birch
170:aspen
146:flora
45:marsh
551:The
525:The
473:teal
360:The
305:and
144:The
104:marl
401:),
399:fox
395:red
377:,
371:fox
174:ash
743::
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