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State Natural Areas Program

Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program Huiras Lake (No. 353)

Huiras Lake

Photo by Thomas A. Meyer/DNR


Overview

Location

Ozaukee County. T12N-R21E, Section 9. 198 acres.

Description

Description

Huiras Lake features a 26-acre pristine, hardwater seepage lake with an undeveloped shoreline contained within a larger wooded matrix. Plant communities include dry-mesic forest, mixed conifer and hardwood swamp, and a relict kettle bog. Located within a lowland hardwood swamp of black ash, the open water of the bog is surrounded by a narrow band of sphagnum moss and cat-tails and grades into shrub-carr and a tamarack-white cedar swamp. Several white pines are present and poison sumac is scattered throughout. Species include round-leaved sundew, pitcher plant, leather-leaf, huckleberry, small cranberry, round-leaved shinleaf, bog St. John's wort, and bogbean. Surrounding the eastern edge of the lake are extensive forested wetlands dominated by black ash, green ash, red maple, silver maple, yellow birch, paper birch, and basswood. Near the lake large tamarack and white cedar are co-dominant and the groundlayer is patchy to continuous with a good diversity of both southern and northern species including Canada mayflower, yellow blue-bead-lily, jack-in-the-pulpit, and marsh fern. Pockets of mature mesic hardwoods with sugar maple, beech, red oak, basswood, and white pine are found to the south. The lush growth of emergent vegetation and partial seclusion make this an excellent waterfowl nesting and migration site. Additionally, the undeveloped nature of the site and its location within a rapidly urbanizing area make this site highly valuable waterfowl and wildlife habitat in the southeastern portion of Wisconsin. Huiras Lake is owned by the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust and DNR. It was designated a State Natural Area in 2002.

Access

Driving directions

From the intersection of County Highways Z and I in Waubeka, go north on I 2.4 miles, then west and north on Clover Valley Road 0.3 mile to a pull off where the road turns north. Walk south through the field to Huiras Lake.

Visit the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust [exit DNR] for hunting opportunities on their property. DNR lands are open for hunting.

Ownership

Huiras Lake is owned by:

  • Ozaukee Washington Land Trust
  • WDNR

Maps

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.

Recreation

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.

Hunting and trapping

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.

Allowable activities: DNR-owned land

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.

  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Cross country skiing
  • Hunting
  • Trapping

Prohibited activities: all SNAs

  • Camping and campfires
  • Collecting of animals (other than legally harvested species), non-edible fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead. Collecting for scientific research requires a permit issued by the DNR
  • Collecting of plants including seeds, roots or other non-edible parts of herbaceous plants such as wildflowers or grasses
  • Geocaching
  • Horseback riding
  • Rock climbing
  • Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use

For rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Chapter NR 45 Wis. Admin. Code [exit DNR]

Last revised: Friday, February 24, 2023