Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Echo Lake (No. 445)

Overview

Location

Located within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Vilas County. T40N-R11E, Section 25; T40N-R12E, Sections 19, 20, 29, 30, 31. 657 acres.

Access

From the intersection of Highways 70 and 32 in Eagle River, go east on 70 about 12 miles, then south on FR 2460 2.6 miles to a parking area west of the road. Trails lead east into the site.

Description

Description

Echo Lake features a soft seepage lake and bog mat, and several stands of mature hemlock hardwoods situated on rolling moraine, which are among the oldest and least disturbed on the Nicolet. Most of the stand is dominated by large hemlock (to 45 inches in diameter) with yellow birch, and sugar maple. Other species include basswood, white pine, and white spruce. The understory is open with few shrubs and local small canopy gaps filled with sugar maple saplings. The groundlayer is dense in some areas and contains the uncommon ginseng. Characteristic species include jack-in-the-pulpit, shining club-moss, intermediate wood fern, three-leaved goldthread, and blue cohosh. Coarse woody debris and large snags are common giving a pronounced old growth feel to the site. The mature forest provides nesting habitat for numerous neotropical migrant birds including the black-throated blue warbler (Dendroica caerulescens). Also present is a mosaic of wetland types which includes northern wet forest dominated by black spruce and tamarack, white cedar swamp, alder thicket, and open bog. Black spruce and tamarack dominate in the wetter areas to the south and east giving way to white cedar in the north part of the stands. Red maple also occurs in places. Although some cedar cutting has occurred in the past, regeneration is excellent in places and much has already outgrown the browse level. The open bog surrounding Echo Lake supports and excellent representation of ericaceous species including Labrador tea, velvet-leaf blueberry, bog laurel and leather-leaf. Abundant herbaceous plants include moccasin flower, false mayflower, pitcher plant, marsh marigold, and naked miterwort. The gray jay (Perisoreus canadensis), an uncommon bird species, is present here. Other breeding birds found within the site are least flycatcher, olive-sided flycatcher, blue-headed vireo, wood thrush, blackburnian warbler, northern warbler, ovenbird, and scarlet tanager. Echo 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)