Photo by Thomas A. Meyer/DNR
Waushara County. T18N-R10E, Sections 23, 26. 125 acres.
Bass Lake features a 20-acre calcareous fen located on the undeveloped shore of Bass Lake. The fen is exceptionally diverse with many small springs, openings, and ponds providing a calcium-rich habitat that supports 125 species of plants. Several rare species adapted to the alkaline conditions grow here including. Scattered shallow, marl-bottom ponds are dominated by needle spike rush, small bladderwort, grass-leaved pondweed, and Smith’s bulrush. To the east, the fen grades into sedge meadow and the two communities are bordered on the north by tamarack swamp and on the south by shrub-carr. The five-acre Bass Lake is a clear fertile lake, some 27 feet deep, with a sandy marl bottom and a population of fern pondweed, a species not usually found in south or central Wisconsin. The lake’s outlet stream is a small tributary to Little Lunch Creek and the Fox River drainage. The lake has a good warm water fishery and is an important waterfowl area. Sandhill cranes, which nest nearby, use the area extensively. Bass Lake is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1983.
From the intersection of State Highways 22 and 73 in Wautoma, go south on 22 4.4 miles, then east on County Highway YY 0.9 mile to a parking area south of the road. Walk south on the access lane 0.75 mile to the north shore of lake.
Bass Lake Fen is owned by:
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 own custom map where you can zoom to a specific location, please use the DNR's mapping application.
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. Trails, if present, are typically undesignated footpaths. If a developed trail is present, it will normally be noted on the SNA map and/or under the "Access" 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 detailed topographic map are useful tools for exploring larger SNAs.
This SNA has multiple landowners: Opportunities for hunting and trapping depend on the land owner. In general, most DNR-owned land allows hunting and trapping. Partner-owned land may have other rules (for example, university-owned lands do not allow hunting or trapping). 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 "Resource links" heading above. More details regarding allowable uses on the non-DNR land may be found under the "Access" tab above, if available.
In general, the activities listed below are allowed on all DNR-owned SNA lands. Exceptions to this list of public uses, such as SNAs closed to hunting, are noted under the "Access" tab above and posted with signs on site.
For rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Chapter NR 45 Wis. Admin. Code [exit DNR]