Here's Where to Find the Fishing Holes and Wildlife in Mill Creek

As you drive around Mill Creek, every so often comes a small area that looks like a swamp. Tall, reedy plants surround an area containing water and cat tails. What are these areas of land and why are they there?

Mill Creek was subtly and cleverly designed around environmentally protected wetlands. While architects of many subdivisions built in the 1970s and '80s looked at wetlands as liabilities, Mill Creek's are interwoven into the various neighborhood, seeming as if they were designed into the subdivision like landscaping.

The wetlands that surround Mill Creek also help feed the local aquifers surrounding the community. Mill Creek Water Reclamation District benefits of these wetlands, which recharge the ground water.

Water from the wetlands acts as a filter for pollution and waste, controlling of storm water, and for flood control. Without these, areas near by homes would be at risk for periodic flooding.

Take a closer look at Mill Creek's 127 acres of wetlands and you'll find a variety of wildlife. Wetlands are considered to be the most biologically diverse of all the ecosystems, and watching the wildlife in your back yard can be a spectator sport.

A great blue heron with it's 6-foot wing span hovers near the edge of the water eating fish or frogs. Canada Geese travel over the area picking up small grasses. Wrens and the gold finches play in the trees and long grasses.

If you head south on Herrington Drive just before you reach Hughes Road you'll see one of the best wetlands to explore. Walking along a bike path and at the end is a gazebo with a picnic table. The view is exquisite. There is a placard posted explaining what animals live there along with their picture. Explore further to find those animals. This is a great way to spend some quality time with your kids and have fun.

If you prefer fishing, the wetland on South Mill Creek Drive is a great place to cast your line. Alex Marmitt, a Geneva resident, frequents this particular spot with his friend Marty Julitz and says he recently caught catfish and a small bass. 

Fall is a beautiful time to visit the wetland areas in Mill Creek, and the changing leaves will make an impressive picture. Take time and enjoy them. Winter will be here soon enough.