Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Wilson Lake (No. 436)

Overview

Location

Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Sawyer and Bayfield Counties. T42N-R6W, Sections 32, 33; T43N-R6W, Sections 8, 9, 16, 17. 1,060 acres.

Access

The site is located 12 miles west of Clam Lake Wisconsin on the Sawyer/Bayfield county line. Access is best taking County M west from Clam Lake for 11 miles, then south on FR 203 3 miles, then west on FR 206 one mile, then west on FR 658 for one mile to Wilson Lake (bear left at the intersection). A canoe is recommended for further access.

Description

Description

Wilson Lake features a high quality mosaic of sedge meadow communities in association with Wilson Creek, Wilson Lake and Star Lake, and northern dry-mesic forest situated on eskers. Several sedge community types are represented including sphagnum dominated wire grass meadow, wire grass without sphagnum (poor fen), open sphagnum "lawns" without sedges, bluejoint grass dominated meadows, and classic coarse sedge/cattail marsh. These communities grade into one another and are associated with both the stream and lake riparian areas. Some of the wiregrass areas approach a “fen-like” meadow with obvious groundwater influence. The state special concern plant, dragon’s-mouth orchid occurs here in large numbers. Shrubs include sweet-gale, bog-rosemary, bog laurel, leather-leaf, and blueberry. Other species include round-leaved sundew, pitcher plant, common bladderwort, rose pogonia, arrow-grass, cotton-grasses, bog-bean, and wild calla. Also present is a second-growth, fire origin white pine and red pine growing on medium coarse sand eskers with small pockets of old-growth in several scattered locations near Star Lake. There is a moderate shrub layer, little coarse woody debris, and limited snags. Many of these stands occur as islands surrounded by both lakes and sedge meadow. A small area of old growth hemlock hardwoods occurs on the south shore of Star Lake. Water resources include Wilson Lake, Star Lake, and Wilson Creek. A 103-acre bog lake, Wilson Lake’s fish population includes largemouth bass, perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, bullhead, suckers, and minnows. The 104-acre Star Lake is also an acid bog lake and is the headwaters of Wilson Creek, which originates from two small feeder streams flowing into Star Lake and then flows south through the site into Wilson Lake and finally into Lost Land Lake on the Teal River System. Also included is Spring Lake, a small 11-acre lake with an outlet to Star Lake. It has some spring water sources. This wide variety of sedge meadow communities in association with high quality, wilderness-like lakes and stream, and upland second-growth white and red pine make this a unique site. Wilson Lake 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)