Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Shallow Lake (No. 514)

Overview

Location

Within the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, Oneida County. T38N-R8E, Sections 15, 22. 103 acres.

Access

From McNaughton, go east on Bridge Road 0.8 miles, then north and east on Black Lake Road 2.9 miles, then continue east on Ranch Road 0.7 miles, then north on Muskellunge Lake Road 0.15 miles to the west edge of the site.

Description

Description

Shallow Lake is a 29-acre soft-water seepage lake with a boggy shoreline that supports a diverse assemblage of floating leaved and submergent aquatic vegetation. Characteristic plants include water-shield, white water-lily, slender water-milfoil, brown-fruited rush, beaked bladderwort, and common bladderwort. Of note is the presence of five rare plant species: algae-like pondweed (Potamogeton confervoides), Robbins spikerush (Eleocharis robbinsii), purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea), northeastern bladderwort (U. resupinate), and hidden-fruit bladderwort (U. geminiscapa). Surrounding the lake is a boggy wetland of sphagnum, sedges, ericaceous shrubs, and stunted black spruce. The floating peat mat supports species including yellow-eyed grass, white beak-rush, seven-angle pipewort, and narrow-leaved sundew. American black ducks (Anas rubripes) use the lake for nesting and puddle ducks use the lake during fall migration. Shallow Lake is owned by the DNR 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.

• Detailed Map [PDF, 216 KB]

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)