Key characteristics: Northern Highlands » Exceptional density of glacial kettle lakes ecological landscape » Former enormous pinery with important stands of white and red pines remaining » Large peatlands (bogs Attributes and Characteristics supplying wood to cities further south. and conifer swamps) Aspen and other trees common to earlier » Intense development pressure Studded with thousands of mostly small kettle succession forests are now common in many along lakeshores lakes, this area epitomizes for many residents areas. Significant stands of older hemlock- » Very soft water lakes the image of “going north” to sit on the shore hardwood forest occur in several parts of a quiet, cool lake under the shade of a majestic Size: of this ecological landscape. white pine. Viewed from an airplane, some » 2,080 square miles areas in this landscape look more like a vast Development pressure in this ecological » 1,331,000 acres lake with many islands rather than upland landscape is intense and focused along lake (3.7% of ) with many lakes. This enormous concentration shores and rivers. There are now more than Population: 23,000 seasonal homes in Vilas and Oneida of lakes is a result of the pitted outwash plain » 63,000 left by glaciers and is believed to be the third Counties, the overwhelming majority of which (1.2% of Wisconsin’s highest concentration of lakes in the world. are located along lakes and flowages. Many are population) being converted to year-round residences. Land The area’s other key characteristic is its use in the uplands is largely oriented towards Notable species: forests. White and red pines, once forming the timber and pulp production; recreation is also » Black bear largest pine forests in the state, dominated the important and contributes significantly to » Common loon, osprey uplands. However, by the early 1900s, these great and bald eagle the local economy. Some of the wetlands forests were largely harvested to feed the mills » Blackburnian, Pine, in this ecological landscape are used and Nashville warblers for cranberry production. » Muskellunge » Walleye » Mimic shiner Legacy Places »

eyer Wild rice M IRON BL Border Lakes Region » Calypso orchid

Thomas BL » ASHLAND Swamp-pink VILAS Chequamegon - Nicolet Highlands TF CN » White and red pine Frog Lake and Pines State Natural Area in Iron County National Forests NA Deerskin River Natural communities: DK DK (See Appendix B for descriptions) CN » UW MF Monico Forest Black spruce swamp » Bracken grassland CN NA Northern Highland - American TM Northern SQ Legion State Forest » Emergent aquatic » Northern dry-mesic forest

ONEIDA SO Somo River » Northern mesic forest MF FOREST WF PRICE SQ Squirrel and Tomahawk Rivers » Northern sedge meadow » Northern wet-mesic forest TM Thunder Marsh » Northern wet forest TF Turtle - Flambeau Flowage » Open bog » SO Upper Submergent aquatic UW » Tamarack swamp LINCOLN WF Willow Flowage LANGLADE TAYLOR

92 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Northern Highlands Conservation Needs and Opportunities landscape form the headwaters of the Wisconsin, Manitowish, Flambeau, and Turtle Rivers. Public Conservation Lands The Northern Highlands ecological landscape ecological landscape Soils are primarily acidic and unproductive due was once the heart of Wisconsin’s great white and to low moisture-holding capacity and humus 1 red pine forests. Although these vast pine forests Map# Property Name Size (acres) loss. Coldwater streams in the area support State have been reduced to remnants, this landscape significant populations of brook, rainbow, and s 1 Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake State Wildlife Area2 1,680 offers the best opportunity in the state to restore brown trout, while warmer waters support s 2 Menard Island State Resource Area 2,600 a functioning white-red pine forest, including walleye, muskellunge, bass, and panfish. s 3 Northern Highland-American 219,700 significant patches of old-growth, within a broader Legion State Forest 2 forest complex. Conservation efforts will need to Recreation Uses and Opportunities s 4 Powell Marsh State Wildlife Area 4,340 continue focusing on the breeding populations of s 5 Thunder Lake State Wildlife Area 3,280 2 Neotropical migrant birds that these forests harbor. Given the thousands of lakes, streams, and s 6 Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area 20,040 flowages here, it is not surprising that many s 7 Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area 2 7,720 Although much of the private lakeshore has of the recreation opportunities in this landscape s 8 Woodboro Lakes State Wildlife Area 2,470 Miscellaneous Lands 3 12,740 been intensively developed, some lakes remain are water oriented. Boating, paddling, and fish- largely or entirely undeveloped and continue ing attract visitors from around the Midwest. Federal to be important in maintaining loons, osprey, The 220,000-acre Northern Highland-American s 1 Chequamegon-Nicolet 47,100 2 eagles, otters, and other species. Several lakes Legion State Forest offers a variety of recreation National Forests harbor important wild rice beds; others are small, opportunities, now drawing over 2 million visitors County Forest 4 sterile and support rare “rosette” flora and are a year to swim, hike, camp, boat, fish, or just watch s 1 Iron County Forest 2 13,650 particularly vulnerable to water quality changes. the sunset across a lake. During the fall, visitors s 2 Lincoln County Forest 2 8,210 s 3 Oneida County Forest 2 25,270 Mixed within these pine forests and lakes go to hunt and observe the changing colors. Win- s 4 Vilas County Forest 2 35,550 are stands of hemlock-hardwood forest, bracken ter brings skiers, snowmobilers, and ice fishing grasslands, and forested and open wetlands. The fans. Additional opportunities for off road bik- TOTAL 404,350 hemlock-hardwood forests are a mix of hemlock, ing, backbacking, canoe camping, and rustic tent camping in the more remote, large blocks of public 1 Actual acres owned in this Ecological Landscape. white and red pine, yellow and paper birch, sugar 2 This property also falls within adjacent Ecological Landscape(s). and red maple, and red oak. The grasslands occur land could be pursued to meet rising demand. 3 Includes public access sites, fish hatcheries, fire towers, streambank and non-point easements, lands acquired under statewide wildlife, fishery, forestry, and natural area programs, small properties on the sandy till of the end moraines and are Long distance and single day “loop” trails, both under 100 acres, and properties with fewer than 100 acres within this Ecological Landscape. 4 Locations and sizes of county owned parcels enrolled in the Forest Crop Law are presented here.

Queen along abandoned rail corridors that connect t dominated by bracken fern, Pennsylvania sedge, Information on locations and sizes of other county and local parks in this Ecological Landscape is not readily available and is not included here, except for some very large properties. ober small towns as well as trails in more challeng- R blueberries, and bluegrass. The vast wetlands scattered through the ecological ing and varied terrain, are in demand here. Blueberry picking up north

Figure 61: Land cover of the Northern Highlands Figure 62: Public conservation and other land ownership Figure 63: Land cover of public conservation lands Highlands

in the Northern Highlands in the Northern Highlands

Agriculture Agriculture Urban County Urban 0% 1% Grassland 1% Grassland 6% 0% 1% Open Water 3% 12% Shrubland Shrubland Open Wetland 4% 3% State 17% Northern 20% Open Wetland 12% Forested Wetland 13% Forested Other Federal Wetland 70% 4%

12% (private land, roads, er Forest schools, cemetaries, ll 56% military lands, etc.) Forest 65% . j. and Lindaj. . mi R

Ice fishing in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 93 Northern Highlands 94 Figure 64: 64: Figure

Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Ecological by Places Legacy Legacy Places and public conservation lands Highlands Northern the of lands conservation public and Places Legacy 2

Hurley Northern Highlands Montreal

Michigan

1

51

BL 1 3 TF 47 45 4 6 51 17 NA 4

1 182 DK 155 CN Eagle 70 River 70 UW 70

1 CN 3 1 TM

SQ 5

W 47 isc on sin

R

i v 32 7 e r 17 MF WF 45

3 Rhinelander 8 8 3 Crandon 8

8 2 51 SO Tomahawk 86

55

2 17 45 2 13

102

107

52 Legacy Places BL Border Lakes Region CN Chequamegon-Nicolet 64 Merrill National Forests 64 Antigo 64 DK Deerskin River Public Conservation Lands Medford MF Monico Forest Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Land Wisconsin State NA Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest SO Somo River 13 Federal 97 SQ Squirrel and Tomahawk Rivers 51 TM Thunder Marsh County Forest TF Turtle-Flambeau Flowage 107 52 UW Upper Wisconsin River Miles WF Willow45 Flowage 0 2.5 5 10 Wausau Abbotsford 29 Wisconsin L Wisconsin Figure 65: 65: Figure a Legacy Places and land cover of the Northern Highlands Northern the of cover land and Places Legacy n d L d Legacy Places and land cover 2 e g a c

y Re y Hurley Northern Highlands

p Montreal o r t

LAKE SUPERIOR WATERSHED

Michigan

51 WATERSHED

BL

TF 47 45

51 17 NA

182 DK 155 CN GREEN BAY Eagle 70 WATERSHED River 70 UW 70

UPPER CHIPPEWA CN WATERSHED TM SQ

47

32

17 MF WF 45

Rhinelander

8

Crandon 8

8

51 SO

Tomahawk 86 WOLF RIVER WATERSHED 55

45

17 13 UPPER WISCONSIN NORTH

102 WATERSHED

Land Cover 107

Urban 52 Agriculture

Lega Grassland c y Pl y Shrubland Merrill 64 a ces ces 64 64 Antigo Forest

b Medford y Ecological Landscape Ecological y Open Water UPPER WISCONSIN CENTRAL WATERSHED 13 Open Wetland 97 51 Forested Wetland

107 52 Miles

0 2.5 5 10 45 Wausau

95 Abbotsford 29

Northern Highlands Northern Highlands ecological landscape BL Border Lakes Region DK Deerskin River Size ...... Large Size ...... Small Protection Initiated...... Moderate Protection Initiated...... Moderate Protection Remaining...... Moderate Protection Remaining...... Limited Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 Recreation Potential ...... 0 Legacy Places Vilas, Oneida, and Iron Counties harbor one of The Deerskin River is a cold water stream the highest concentrations of lakes in the world. containing Class I and Class II trout waters in Although most of the privately owned lake shore- different reaches. Much of the upper part of the line in these counties is developed, a pocket of river goes through the Nicolet National Forest. mostly undeveloped or lightly developed lakes exists The middle and lower reaches of the Deerskin flow along the border with Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. through private parcels. The river corridor includes These lakes support an unusually diverse and high impoundments at Long Lake and Scattering Rice don l he

quality assemblage of aquatic natural communities. Lake. A dam, which held the former Deerskin S . B . The Border Lakes Region is flanked by the Flowage, has recently been removed, restoring A wetlands and the natural streambed. Northern Highland-American Legion State Northern Redbelly Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) Forest, several large County Forest properties, the Nicolet National Forest and Michigan’s an extraordinary array of outdoor activities Ottawa National Forest (home of the Sylvania MF Monico Forest including camping (over 900 campsites), swimming, Wilderness Area). The area harbors a high quality Size ...... Medium boating, hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, cross- forest complex with several patches of old-growth. Protection Initiated...... Limited country skiing, and snowmobiling. Protection Remaining...... Substantial Numerous rare species are known to occur The abundant trails throughout the property Conservation Significance...... 0 here, particularly birds and plants. provide an excellent way to listen to a variety Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 The Border Lakes Region probably represents of birds, view wildlife, and observe the diverse the last opportunity in Wisconsin to protect a This large block of woods sits between the plant species found here. A wide variety of wildlife reasonably large cluster of lakes. Lying at the Nicolet National Forest, Northern Highland- and bird species that occur in northern Wisconsin heart of several large blocks of public property, American Legion State Forest, and a large can be found within the forest. Common wildlife the area is also among the last places to provide block of county forest. These and adjoining that can be seen include deer, beaver, otter, fox, a variety of recreation activities in a very remote woods support a diverse set of forest interior coyote and black bear. Northern goshawk, raven, setting. Several portions of this area are under birds, many uncommon. Although many large yellow-bellied sapsucker, evening grosbeak and large ownership blocks that have been integral wetlands are present, the area could support hermit thrush are just a few of the hundred or in maintaining the character of the area. Some a range of recreation activities. more bird species that can be seen or heard in of the lakes currently receive minimal fishing the forest. The State Forest is a critical component pressure and, as such, offer an opportunity Highlands of efforts to restore some functional white-red for a variety of research studies. NA Northern Highland - pine forest reminiscent of the enormous pinery Protection of this unique mosaic of lakes, wet- American Legion State Forest of the past. Forest management on the NHAL lands, and upland forests —with its significant Size ...... Large is also an important component of the local water quality, fisheries, wildlife and forestry Protection Initiated...... Substantial and regional economies. resources— is important to maintaining Protection Remaining...... Limited the biological diversity and recreational Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 Northern opportunities of northern Wisconsin. Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 0 SO Somo River Established in 1925 to protect the stream flow Size ...... Medium Queen t at the headwaters of the Wisconsin, Flambeau, and Protection Initiated...... Moderate ober R CN Chequamegon - Nicolet Manitowish Rivers, the 220,000-acre Northern Protection Remaining...... Moderate 0 Birch trees in Oneida County National Forests Highland-American Legion (NHAL) State Forest Conservation Significance...... is characterized by its abundance of scenic lakes Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 See the North Central Forest and streams and expansive forests. Over 900 lakes ecological landscape. This river complex comprises the Big Somo lie within the forest boundary and are a significant and Little Somo Rivers, along with Hay Creek. reason that the forest is the most visited state All eventually flow into Lake Mohawksin at property in Wisconsin. The State Forest supports Tomahawk. These good quality streams harbor

96 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Northern Highlands trout in their headwaters and the watersheds are wooded and quite wild. Numerous riffles and rapids ecological landscape TF Turtle - Flambeau Flowage exist in the rivers and help support a variety of Size ...... Large aquatic life. Protection of the river corridor could Protection Initiated...... Substantial connect several County Forest properties. Protection Remaining...... Limited Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Squirrel and Recreation Potential ...... SQ Created by a dam at the confluence of the Turtle Tomahawk Rivers and Flambeau Rivers, this 14,000-acre flowage Size ...... Medium is one of northern Wisconsin’s most popular Protection Initiated...... Moderate backcountry destinations. Surrounding the flowage Protection Remaining...... Moderate are over 18,000 acres of state-owned land that Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 support forests of aspen, birch, maple, and other Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 northern hardwoods. Scattered through the area These rivers range from cool to warm water and are small pockets of old growth hemlock and pine provide excellent fisheries for walleye, muskellunge, that provide excellent nesting habitat for eagles northern pike and bass. The Squirrel River is a and osprey. Many grass openings have been created tributary to the Tomahawk River, which in turn and maintained to increase the variety of wildlife empties into the Wisconsin River at Tomahawk. in the area—particularly game species. In addition These wild, natural rivers connect industrial forest to deer, bear, fisher, beaver, and otters, wolves and moose are occasionally seen on the property. The lands, the Northern Highland State Forest, and the flowage has the highest density of breeding pairs Willow Flowage. The rivers also meander between of eagles, ospreys, and common loons in Wisconsin. two state natural areas that feature excellent State ownership includes 114 miles of shoreline and examples of old-growth pine. These river corridors 195 islands. With 60 campsites accessible by boat contain significant wildlife habitat for a host of only, the flowage offers a unique, remote setting game and non-game species, including two state- for boaters and paddlers. Fishing for black crappie, Threatened species of turtles. Many eagle nests smallmouth bass, muskellunge, and in particular are found along these rivers. walleye, is excellent throughout the flowage.

TM Thunder Marsh UW Upper Wisconsin River Size ...... Medium Size ...... Large Protection Initiated...... Substantial Protection Initiated...... Moderate Protection Remaining...... Limited Protection Remaining...... Moderate Highlands

Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 Recreation Potential ...... 0 Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 The Thunder Marsh area is a very large peatland From its cool headwaters to its wide confluence complex containing open bogs, sedge meadows, with the Mississippi, the Wisconsin River is one forested wetlands, and five small, shallow lakes. of the state’s defining features. In its upper reach, Several uplands scattered through the marsh from Lac Vieux Desert to Merrill, the river harbor forests with old growth characteristics. provides good recreation opportunities Northern The 3,100-acre Thunder Marsh Wildlife Area and conservation values. encompasses almost all of the marsh. Adjacent At its headwaters, the Wisconsin River flows are a 1000-acre tract owned by the Board of through a landscape of scattered drainage and Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) and a seepage lakes and vast wetlands. Along with the 1200-acre industrial forest property. Together, lakes, the wetlands are the source of the Upper these tracts encompass a large area of open Wisconsin’s excellent water quality. The wetlands wetlands, lakes, and forested wetlands that drained by Haymeadow Creek contain large open connect the Northern Highland-American

even Lewis muskeg and sedge meadow. Between Eagle River

St Legion State Forest with the Nicolet and Merrill, the river gains considerable flow. National Forest. Turtle-Flambeau Flowage

Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 97 Northern Highlands Although eight impoundments occur between The Willow Flowage provides excellent fishing these two cities, the river maintains excellent opportunities. Walleye, the most common game- ecological landscape water quality and supports numerous rare fish fish, find fertile habitat among the rocks, gravel, and insects. A significant portion of the river and stumps of the flowage. Northern pike and corridor remains undeveloped and hosts high panfish are also abundant. In order to maintain quality forest and wetland communities. Wild the flowage’s remote character, public boat access rice occurs in several spots along the river. Of is limited to three locations. Remote, semi- particular note is the high-quality Munninghoff primitive campsites are maintained by the state wetland complex near McNaughton. The river and are accessible only by water. This 6,400-acre, and adjacent lands act as an ecological corridor irregularly shaped reservoir contains 117 islands. for many species. Protecting lands along the main stem and the numerous high quality streams that drain into the river would ensure that it remains a natural travel corridor for Other Areas of Interest a host of species, including large mobile species such as bears and wolves. Big Pine Creek (Lincoln County) The free flowing stretches of the river as well as Originating on the north side of Harrison Hills, the flowages attract many recreationists. Popular this good quality trout stream flows through some activities include fishing, paddling, motor boating, Lincoln County Forest in its headwaters before hiking, and wildlife watching. The state owns turning west and entering Lake Alice. Good a considerable portion of river frontage within populations of brook trout are present. the Northern Highland-American Legion State Tamarack Creek Forest. The Upper Wisconsin River and its major (Vilas County) tributaries are all under significant pressure This high quality tributary to the Wisconsin from changing land uses. Increased efforts River flows through a variety of northern forest to protect water quality, wildlife habitat and types. Although the lower stretches are within fisheries resources would have multiple benefits. Vilas County Forest, the upper reaches are unprotected. WF Willow Flowage Pickerel Creek (Vilas County) Size ...... Medium ein

t This is a warmwater stream that flows through Protection Initiated...... Substantial cks E a large wetland complex between Pickerel Lake d l Protection Remaining...... Limited and Boot Lake. The western end of the three- ona R 0 0 Conservation Significance...... mile stream has public ownership by the State Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) chicks at Kentuck Lake of Wisconsin and Vilas County Forest. Highlands Surrounded by swamps, bogs, and other watery Mishonagon Creek lowlands, the Willow Flowage is isolated from (Vilas County ) roads and development. Although past manage- This is a Class I Trout stream with a native ment practices on surrounding lands have resulted brook trout population and is a tributary to in a relatively young forest dominated by aspen, a the Tomahawk River. The upper reaches of narrow buffer of more mature trees was left around the stream are within the Northern Highland-

Northern portions of the shoreline giving the flowage a wild, American Legion State Forest. scenic appearance from the water. Much of this area is now managed to create a mixture of aspen, pine, and mid-successional species such as red oak, fir, spruce, and red maple to provide important deer and grouse habitat as well as timber for harvesting. Three packs of gray wolves inhabit

eyer the forests surrounding the reservoir. The flowage M also provides nesting and feeding habitat for

Thomas many species of waterfowl.

Swamp-pink (Arethusa bulbosa)

98 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report