Visitors

Every waterbody has critical habitat – those areas that are most important to the overall health of the aquatic plants and animals. Remarkably, 80 percent of the plants and animals on the state’s endangered and threatened species list spend all or part of their life cycle within the nearshore zone. As many as 90 percent of the living things in lakes and rivers are found along the shallow margins of shores.

What Are Sensitive Areas?

In 1988-89, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources conducted a sensitive area (critical habitat area) survey on Bone Lake, Polk County, Wisconsin. The purpose of the study was to designate areas deemed essential habitats for lake organisms and map them so that everyone knows which areas are most vulnerable to impacts from human activity.

Wisconsin law mandates special protections for these critical habitats. Critical Habitat Designation is a program that recognizes those areas and maps them so that everyone knows which areas are most vulnerable to impacts from human activity. A critical habitat designation assists waterfront owners by identifying these areas upfront, so we can design our waterfront projects to protect habitat and ensure the long-term health of the lake where we live.

The survey resulted in 11 areas (named A-K) delineated around the lake with references to critical habitats of aquatic plants, fish and wildlife and includes recommendations for protection and maintenance of these valuable habitats.

The same critical habitat areas were surveyed again in 2021-22. The Sensitive Area Analysis of 2021-22 is a comprehensive inventory of life in and around Bone Lake. The analysis includes results for populations of aquatic macrophytes, macroinvertebrates, zooplankton, frogs and toads, reptiles and mammals. This inventory shows the health of Bone Lake.

Explore the tabs below and learn about each of Bone Lake’s sensitive areas and habitats.

Sensitive Area A

Sensitive Area A on the eastern shore at the northern end of Bone Lake includes approximately 1,000 feet of shoreline and extends up to 150 feet from the shore. A stream enters the lake here.

The 1988-89 DNR survey found this to be important habitat for bass and panfish, and northern pike and muskellunge spawning and nursery areas. It was also noted to provide critical habitat vital for birds, furbearers, turtles and amphibians.

Today the entire shoreline is developed, except for a 60-70 ft. portion with natural vegetation; there is no floating or submerged vegetation.

Sensitive Area B is located on the eastern shore at the northern half of Bone Lake. It includes approximately 1,000 feet of shoreline and extends up to 150 feet from the shore.

This is an area of extensive shoreline and riparian development with two resorts and a bar/restaurant. There is evidence of vegetation removal or reduction due to boat activity. One small area has floating and emergent vegetation indicating this area would have extensive vegetation without human action.

The 1988-89 DNR survey describes this area as valuable habitat for bass, panfish, and northern pike and muskellunge spawning and nursery areas, and for most birds, furbearers, and herptiles present in the lake.

Sensitive Area C has mostly natural shoreline vegetation along approximately 600 feet of shore. Approximately two-thirds of the shoreline area has floating and emergent vegetation. There is some woody habitat.

The 1988-89 DNR survey describes this area as essential habitat for bass, panfish, and northern pike and muskellunge spawning and nursery areas, and critical habitat for forage species. Wildlife is also reliant upon this area for habitat.

Combined with Area D along the east side of Chaffee Island, this is a quiet place on the lake for natural beauty and wildlife observation. Non-motorized sports are popular here.

Sensitive Area D is in a small bay at the northeast corner of the state-owned Chaffee Island, Bone Lake’s smaller undeveloped island. The island is named for local government conservation officer Glen Chaffee.

Two bands of emergent vegetation cover most of the site. Woody habitat toward the north provides a loafing spot for turtles. A variety of wildlife is reliant on this area for habitat:, eagles, loons, herons, waterfowl, songbirds, furbearers, turtles and amphibians. The north point is a favorite fishing spot for the Green Heron.

Sensitive Area E consists of a small bay along 650 feet of the north shore, and 200 feet out from the shore of Bald Eagle Island, the larger of the two islands, which is privately owned.

A valuable submergent plant community was noted in the 1988-89 DNR survey which provides a habitat for fish, waterfowl, songbirds, turtles and amphibians.

Sensitive Area F is 1,000 feet of shoreline developed with many manicured lawns leading to the lake, extending 100 feet into the water. There is one bed of emergent vegetation, and floating vegetation between docks, with evidence of plant reduction due to removal or boat activity. Some coarse woody habitat is present. There are two springs on the shoreline with groundwater flowing into the lake.

Sensitive Area G is located at the southeast corner of Bone Lake where Fox Creek flows out of Bone Lake. The area is approximately 2,000 feet of shoreline and extends up to 150 feet from shore. The northern portion of the area is highly developed.

The 1988-89 DNR survey describes this area as important habitat for bass and panfish, and northern pike and muskellunge spawning and nursery areas.

All wildlife is reliant upon this area for habitat.

Sensitive Area H on the west side of Bone Lake is 2,500-foot stretch of shoreline that extends 200 feet from shore. There is development, but a large stand of spike rush and hard stem bulrush and other aquatic macrophytes is maintained.

This is valuable habitat for bass and panfish, and northern pike and muskellunge spawning and nursery areas. All wildlife benefits from this valuable habitat.

Prokop Creek enters Bone Lake here.

Sensitive Area I is located midway along the western shore of Bone Lake. It includes approximately 5,200 feet of shoreline and extends up to 150 feet from shore.

Fish and wildlife are reliant upon this area for habitat of bulrush, bur-reed and spike rush, along with many submergent species.

Sensitive Area J was once a small island of emergent bulrush approximately 1000 feet from the western shore. Loons often nested there, and Great Blue Herons used the site for feeding.

Today high water, wave action and boat traffic have eroded the island to a submerged rock bed with submerged plants. No emergent or floating vegetation is present.

Sensitive Area K is located on the far northwest end of Bone Lake, where the DNR alder and tamarack lowland meets the shore. The lowland site supports the Golden-winged Warbler, a bird of global and state concern, as well as numerous tropical species.

Great Blue Herons and Green Herons utilize the site extensively. Sandhill Cranes have been noted. A pair of Common Loons has used the area as a breeding site in the past. For several years the site has been used by Trumpeter Swans to successfully hatch and rear cygnets.