Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Nelligan Lake (No. 484)

Overview

Location

Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Oconto County. T32N-R17E, Sections 22-27, 36. 1,500 acres.

Access

The site is located about 7 miles northeast of Mountain and 9 miles southeast of Lakewood on the Marinette County border. Access is via FR 2272 in the west, FR 2327 from the north, and FR 2309 from the south.

Description

Description

Nelligan Lake is characterized by extensive areas of conifer swamp including black spruce swamp, white cedar swamp, black ash swamp, and wet jack pine forest. Embedded within this wetland matrix are igneous outcrop islands covered with northern dry-mesic forest comprised of red oak, aspen, paper birch, and red maple. Pin oak and white oak are also present. In areas of exposed bedrock are acid bedrock glades and shaded and exposed cliffs. The tree dominance changes to white pine, red pine and stunted red oak. Sheer cliff faces of 30 feet are present. From the highest point in the complex, Butler Rock is visible approximately 3 miles southeast. On sandy low ridges are good quality stands of red and white pine with some trees approaching 24 inches in diameter. Of note is an apparent beach ridge around the north shore of Nelligan Lake that supports red and white pine about 5 feet above the water level and separates the lake from the black spruce-tamarack swamp to the north. A wet jack pine forest borders the swamp. The groundlayer is covered with sphagnum, bog sedges, and ericaceous shrubs including leatherleaf, Labrador tea, and bog laurel. At the west end of the complex is clear-water, sandy-bottomed Nelligan Lake, which harbors a fine community of rosette-forming submerged aquatic plants including two species of rare bladderworts. Nelligan 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)