Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Namekagon Fen (No. 476)

Overview

Location

Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Bayfield County. T43N-R6W, Section 27. 41 acres.

Access

The site is located 9 miles east of Cable, WI. From Cable, go east on County M approximately 9 miles, then go south on FR 203 0.5 miles for access to the west side of the site. The east side of the site is easily accessed by FR 200.

Description

Description

Situated within a depression of stagnation moraine is Namekagon Fen, an undisturbed, diverse fen community of sphagnum mosses, ericaceous shrubs, sedges, and insectivorous plants. Nested within the fen are a number of irregularly shaped pools (7 large, numerous small) supporting an extremely rich flora typical of both bogs and fens suggesting the possible existence of a nutrient or pH gradient and the influence of calcium rich water percolating through the system. Beds of bog-club moss are found where the moss is not thick. The fen is dominated by white beak rush with high numbers of pitcher plant, and thousands of horned bladderwort. Other plants are few-seeded sedge, cotton-grass, water bulrush, sundews, northern St. John’s wort, bog buckbean, water shield, and rattlesnake manna grass. A small stand of swamp conifers with black spruce and tamarack bordered by common yellow lake sedge is found in the northern part of the site. The edges are shrubby with alder, mountain-holly, and common winterberry. Ericaceous species are common with bog-laurel, bog rosemary, leatherleaf, and blueberry. Birds include common yellowthroat, and olive-sided flycatcher. Namekagon Fen 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)