Wildlife Areas
Wildlife Management Project Areas
- Central WI Grasslands Conservation Area
- SW WI Grassland & Stream Conservation Area
- Glacial Habitat
Restoration Areas - Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area
Other Recreation Lands
- State Parks
- State Fisheries Areas
- State Natural Areas
- State Trails
- State Forests
- Forest Legacy Program
- County Parks and Forests
- State Parks & Trails Hunting Opportunities
- Wild Rivers
- Voluntary Public Access Program
- Interactive Map Viewer
Statewide Recreation Opportunities
Totagatic Lake Wildlife Area
Totagatic Lake Wildlife Management Area is a 1,403 acre property located in southwest Bayfield County. It includes all of the 537 acre Totagatic Lake, one of northwest Wisconsin’s finest waterfowl hunting lakes. Acquisition of the property began in 1963, in an effort to gain control of the Lake’s outlet to prevent unauthorized modification of lake levels, but it wasn’t until 1968 that the Natural Resources Board established the Wildlife Area and classified Totagatic Lake as a “wild lake”. This designation requires that the shoreline be managed so that man’s influence upon the surrounding landscape is not noticeable. Accordingly, there is a 400 foot wide “no-cut” buffer established around the entire lake. There is also a 50 acre scientific area with old growth hemlock established at the north end of the lake, which also is left undisturbed. The remainder of the property is primarily managed for northern hardwoods production and maintenance of aspen stands and lowland conifers.
Totagatic Lake is one of Wisconsin’s premier wild rice producing lakes, which also makes it a highly valuable waterfowl migratory stop-over. Rice production and harvest are monitored closely by the Department and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, and ricing may be prohibited in certain years, depending on production. Maximum lake depth is eight feet and the lake is heavily vegetated, making it susceptible to winter-kill. There is a public boat landing on the southeast shore of the lake, facilitated by a small parking area. The fishery consists mainly of small northern pike and panfish. As such, there is some fishing activity, but pressure is light. The main lake uses are waterfowl hunting and wild rice harvesting. Totagatic Lake provides excellent bird watching and other wildlife viewing opportunities. There is usually a pair of trumpeter swans nesting on the Lake each year.
The upland portions of the property offer numerous wildlife recreational related opportunities since there is a good diversity of habitats and forest age classes found throughout the property. Grouse, deer and bear hunting are popular, and bird watching is good along a hunter walking trail located near the boat landing.
Directions
Located in southwest Bayfield County. Take Highway 63 south from Cable approximately 2-1/2 miles to Leonard School Road. Go west on Leonard School Road to a T-intersection with Cable Sunset Road. Go south on Cable Sunset Road and continue following it south then west. It will turn into Totagatic Lake Road, which ends at the boat landing of Totagatic Lake, and at the Wildlife Area.
Recreation Opportunities
The following recreational opportunities exist at Totagatic Lake Wildlife Area:
- Hunting - all types
- Trapping
- Hiking
- Pets (Note)
- Wild rice harvesting
- Auto travel
- Boating - small craft only
- Wildlife viewing
- Fishing
|
|
|
Additional Information
Download [PDF 177KB] a map of this property.
Useful Links:
- Hunting in Wisconsin
- Trapping in Wisconsin
- Hunting and Trapping Regulations
- Season Dates
- Wild Rice Harvest in Wisconsin
- Bayfield County Information [Exit DNR]
- Plan your trip to Bayfield County [Exit DNR]
For more information on Totagatic Lake Wildlife Area contact the property manager.
Questions for Wildlife Management
RSS