Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Lake Owen Hardwoods (No. 425)

Overview

Location

Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Bayfield County. T44N-R7W, Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13. T45N-R7W, Section 36. 1,535 acres.

Access

The site is 3 miles southeast of Drummond on Forest Road 213. Parts of the site are accessible via Forest Roads 214, 217, and 371.

Description

Description

Located along the north side of Lake Owen is a mile-wide peninsula that supports several high quality stands of old-growth hemlock-hardwoods in a large tract of unfragmented, maturing mesic and dry-mesic forest near the Lake Owen shore. Hemlock is reproducing under the fire-origin paper birch. The good quality mesic to dry-mesic hardwoods are dominated by sugar maple and red oak (18-24 inches) with scattered white pine and smaller amounts of paper birch, big-toothed aspen, and red maple. Common groundlayer species include sweet cicely, big-leaved aster, Pennsylvania sedge, Canada mayflower, sessile-leaved bellwort, downy Solomon’s-seal, and shining club-moss. Several small seepage lakes and ponds also occur within the site. These are associated with communities of black ash swamp, muskeg/open bog, emergent and floating leaved aquatics, and red maple-cinnamon fern swamp with iris swales. Mature, rich sugar maple-basswood forest is scattered throughout. Also present is a small inclusion of bedrock controlled landscape (Gogebic-Penokee Range) with shaded wet and dry cliffs that support a remnant red pine community and two state special concern plant species- fragrant wood fern (Dryopteris fragrans) and purple clematis (Clematis occidentalis). The cerulean warbler (Dendroica cerulea) is known to nest here. Moose have been seen in this part of Wisconsin in past years. The site represents one of the longest stretches of Federal land ownership on Lake Owen and maintains its wild character. With its rich mosaic of varied landscape, mature forest types, old-growth fragments, remoteness and little evidence of recent disturbance, Lake Owen is one of the better examples of a large block of relatively undisturbed northern forests on the Chequamegon-Nicolet. Lake Owen is owned by the US Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.

Maps

The WDNR's State Natural Areas Program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private individuals. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities. Users are encouraged to contact the land owner for more specific details.

The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries.

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)