Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Lauterman Lake (No. 451)

Overview

Location

Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Florence County. T40N-R16E, Sections 28-32. 1,109 acres.

Access

From Florence, go west on State Highway 70 about 12 miles to the north boundary of the site. FR 2154 and FR 2553 provide interior access to the site.

Description

Description

Lauterman Lake features an older growth mesic hardwood forest with a hemlock component situated on rich silt loam soils on rolling pitted outwash plain. The site’s rich silt loam soils combined with good drainage supports an unusual concentration of good quality hardwood stands. The site is divided into three natural divisions: east of Lauterman Lake has rolling topography; the section between Lauterman Lake and Little Porcupine Lake is more rugged with hummocks and steep slopes; and the north end of an extensive braided esker system enters the complex to the south of Little Porcupine Lake. The braided esker system is dominated by sugar maple with yellow birch, basswood, and hemlock. Understory species include rock elm and eastern hop hornbeam. The richest stands are found to the south of Little Porcupine Lake in the flat area bordering the lacustrine zone. Here Virginia water-leaf and wood nettle are abundant in the understory and coarse woody debris is relatively common. Other species include wild licorice, maidenhair fern, wild leek, large-flowered bellwort, bloodroot, and blue cohosh. Rare and uncommon species include northern black currant (Ribes hudsonianum) and black tern (Chlidonias niger). This site is an important landscape link between the Whisker Lake Wilderness and Kieper Creek Special Management and Old Growth Area. Lauterman 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)