Photo by Thomas A. Meyer/DNR
Portage County. T21N-R10E, Section 5-8. 143 acres.
Pickerel Lake is a hard water seepage lake with a fluctuating shoreline and a sand bottom that gently slopes to the center. The water flux has limited the lake’s value as a fishery due to severe winter kills during periods of low water. In summer, oxygen depletion and corresponding fish kills are not uncommon due to dense blooms of algae. While the fluctuating water inhibits the fishery, it provides ideal conditions for some specialized plants by flooding out competing plants and killing trees when water is high and providing habitat when water is low. The lower beach contains mostly mats of needle spike-rush and slender flat sedge. The middle beach has semi-open vegetation with boneset, Kalm’s lobelia, heart’s-ease, silver-weed, common false foxglove, and eastern willow-herb. The surrounding upland is wooded with oaks of varying sizes and ages. Scattered throughout the oaks are small patches with prairie species, indicating this area was once a savanna. Pickerel Lake is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1990.
From the intersection of County Highways A, J, and D in the city of Almond in south central Portage County, go east on County D 4.5 miles, then turn north on D 4 miles to an access road which is next to a town hall.
Pickerel Lake 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.
Entrance fees: Excepting Parfrey's Glen, the Cambrian Outlook in the Dells of the Wisconsin River, SNAs within State Parks and some within State Forests, all other DNR-owned SNAs do not have any admission fee. For more information, see Wis. Admin. Code NR 45. For non-DNR-owned SNAs, we are unaware of any vehicle or admission fees. However, please contact the landowner for more information.
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.
Although a handful of sites allow activities like primitive camping (e.g. Lower Chippewa River on sand bars) or horseback riding (e.g. S. Kettle Moraine), the activities listed below are generally prohibited on DNR-owned SNAs.
For rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Chapter NR 45 Wis. Admin. Code [exit DNR]