Bear Lake Slough

State Natural Area (No. 428)

Location: Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Ashland County. T41N-R3W, Sections 30, 31. T41N-R4W, Sections 25, 26. 2,277 acres.

Access: The site is best seen by boat. From the intersection of County GG and FS 163, go east on 163 approximately 4 miles, then north on FR 169 one mile to a dirt road on the west side of the road. Follow the dirt road about 0.25 miles to the canoe landing. Canoe downstream to the site.

Description: Bear Lake Slough is a complex of natural features and contains a large tract of mature, mesic hardwood forest with significant old growth hemlock inclusions in a remote setting. Wet-mesic forests of hemlock and cedar are also present and most common. Super-canopy white pines occur in both forest types. Bear Lake, a widespread drainage lake on the East Fork of the Chippewa River, forms the southern boundary of the site. The shoreline is predominantly sand with some gravel and minor areas of rock and muck. Wetland and aquatic features associated with this shallow water lake are significant. Bear Lake slough, an old river channel, still flows during periods of high water. A large island between the slough and the lake’s northern shore is forested with a second growth stand of red and white pine forest on outwash and alluvial deposits. Also present is a variable boreal forest dominated by balsam fir and paper birch. The understory contains an unusual density and diversity of club-mosses. Excellent shrub-carr and large sedge meadows maintained by fluctuating water levels occur along the wetland margins of the upland islands and along the river channel to the northeast. Emergent aquatics in shallow water areas and large beds of wild rice are present at both the inlet and outlet areas. Waterfowl use is heavy during spring and fall migrations. Other aquatic features include Hungry Run, a warm-water drainage stream flowing into the East Fork upstream from Bear Lake. The East Fork Chippewa River is a major drainage stream flowing from Iron County and zigzagging diagonally across the southern portion of Ashland County. Notable species include nesting bald eagles, common loons, spruce grouse, black ducks, and river otter. Fisheries in this segment of the East Fork include a reported lake sturgeon population. Bear Lake Slough is owned by the US Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.