State Natural Areas_Content Page_Mud Lake Bog_141

Mud Lake Bog

No. 141

141_mud_lake_bog.jpeg

Photo by Thomas A. Meyer/DNR

 

Mud Lake Bog features a 30-acre undisturbed and undeveloped alkaline bog lake surrounded by a large northern mesic forest. The shallow, muck-bottom lake lies in a well-defined basin and is fed by springs with an east-side outlet leading to the Little Wolf River one mile to the south. Yellow and white water lilies occur across the open water and a fringe zone of quaking sedge mat is best developed on the northwest corner of the lake.

Behind the narrow mat is a more stabilized bog zone containing black spruce and tamarack with a sphagnum and ericaceous understory including leather-leaf and bog-rosemary. Some white pine is also present. An abrupt 15-foot rise marks the boundary between the bog and surrounding second-growth northern mesic forest, which affords excellent protection to the lake and wetland. Mallards and blue-winged teal nest in the area while other migrating waterfowl use the area for resting. Mud Lake Bog is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1977.

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. 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.

Entrance fees: Except for 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 fees.

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 below and posted with signs on the property site.

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].

Location

Waupaca County. T25N-R12E, Section 18. 156 acres.

Driving directions

From the intersection of County Highways C and G in Big Falls, go west on C for about 3 miles, then north on County J for 1.25 miles, then west on Mud Lake Road for 1.9 miles to a parking area east of the road. Walk southeast through the woods into the bog.

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.

Property Map [PDF]

Mud Lake Bog is owned by: Wisconsin DNR