State Natural Areas_Content Page_SilverLakeBog_62

Silver Lake Bog

No. 62

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Photo by Thomas A. Meyer/DNR

 

Silver Lake Bog contains one of the least disturbed bogs in southeastern Wisconsin and a northern wet forest. Surrounding the open bog lake is a mat that varies in width from 50 to 120 feet, composed of bulrush, spike-rushes, sedges, and cat-tails. The outer periphery is dominated by tamarack on a grounded mat. Sphagnum is the primary ground cover along with pitcher plant, sundew, bog bean, and Canada mayflower. The shrub layer has abundant poison sumac, bog birch, and winterberry. Silver Lake Bog is owned by the Silver Lake Sportsmans Club and was designated a State Natural Area in 1968.

Very few State Natural Areas have public facilities, but nearly all are open for a variety of recreational activities as indicated below. Generally, there are no picnic areas, restrooms, or other developments. Parking lots or designated parking areas are noted on individual SNA pages and maps. If a developed trail is present, it will normally be noted on the SNA map and/or under the Maps tab. A compass and topographic map or a GPS unit are useful tools for exploring larger, isolated SNAs.

The good majority of SNAs are isolated and have few or no facilities. Some SNAs have vehicle access lanes or parking lots, but their accessibility may vary depending on weather conditions. Parking lots and lanes are not plowed during winter. Hiking trails may be nonexistent or consist of undeveloped footpaths. A GPS unit or compass and a detailed topographic map are useful tools for exploring larger SNAs.

Non-DNR lands

Entrance fees: For non-DNR-owned SNAs, we are unaware of any vehicle or admission fees. However, please contact the landowner for more information.

This is a privately owned site and permission for access is needed. Please contact the Sportsmans Club: PO Box 134, Silver Lake Wisconsin 53170. Email: vordersj@westinghouse.com.

Hunting and trapping

This is a non-DNR-owned SNA: Opportunities for hunting and trapping depend on the landowner. Please contact them directly to find out about their rules for hunting and trapping. You can find a link to other owner websites under the Resources tab.

Other activities

Other allowable activities such as - but not limited to camping, geocaching and bicycling are determined by the landowner. Please contact them directly or visit their websites for details.

Location

Kenosha County. T1N-R20E, Section 16. 20 acres.

Driving directions

From Silver Lake go east on County F to a point 0.3 mile past the junction of County SA. Then go south on a private drive to the Sportsmans Club.

The DNR'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. While the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary according to individual ownership policies. 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 landowner 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. To create your custom map where you can zoom to a specific location, please use the DNR's Mapping Application.

Silver Lake Bog is owned by: Silver Lake Sportsmens Club