Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 08/26/2022 09:44 AM CDT
DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks, Trails, Forests And Recreation Areas
All vessels (including canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards) must have at least one USCG-approved wearable personal flotation device or PFD (life jacket) for each person on board. / Photo Credit: National Safe Boating Council
Motor Up For Fun
Wisconsin has 38 state park properties with boat launches where you can set out for water skiing, tubing, fishing or a scenic float. There's nothing quite like taking a motorized boat trip on Wisconsin's lakes and rivers.
Public boat launches at state park properties are ideal for boats with motors, as kayaks and canoes often have a separate, dock-free launch.
If you're out on Lake Winnebago, High Cliff State Park has a marina with 100 slips available to rent from the High Cliff Harbor Commission. At Lakeshore State Park, a marina on Lake Michigan makes access to the urban park and city amenities quick and easy. Slip reservations at Lakeshore State Park can be made through the Wisconsin reservation system up to 11 months in advance. Please note that the marina will be closed for the rest of the year for a re-decking and reconstruction project.
And always remember to check your vessel of any kind for invasive species and clean it properly when going to a different water body to avoid moving invasives. Learn more about aquatic invasive species on our Understanding Invasive Species webpage.
Use the "Find a Park" locator on the DNR's website to locate the 38 boat launches in our state parks, forests and recreation areas. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Outdoor News & Announcements
Park System Projects Funded At an Aug. 9 meeting of the State Building Commission (SBC), three DNR capital building projects were approved for funding:
Council Grounds State ParkToilet/Shower Building and Vault Toilet Replacement Project – This project will demolish the existing buildings and construct a new toilet/shower facility in a central location in the campground. A new vault toilet will also be constructed in the campground.
Richard Bong State Recreation AreaShared Operations Facility – This project will construct a new shared operations facility to be used by the Fisheries and Wildlife programs. This new building will provide more storage for program operations, which will allow park staff to fully utilize an existing building at the property.
Minong Ranger StationReplacement – This project will replace the Minong Ranger Station to better fit operational and fire control equipment needs. The station will also host DNR conservation warden staff and provide heated storage for recreational patrol vehicles.
Celebrate Yellowstone Lake State Park
Few lakes have an anniversary date. Yellowstone Lake became the 8,677th lake in Wisconsin on June 14, 1954, measuring 2.5 miles long, 0.25 miles wide and about 455 acres.
The reason this lake has an anniversary goes back to the glacial history of our state. When the glaciers retreated from Wisconsin more than 10,000 years ago, the hills and valleys of southwestern Wisconsin were not left with any sizable, natural lakes. There had been talk for many years in the region of the possibility of building a lake. In June 1947, an extensive survey was made of southwestern Wisconsin to search for possible areas where artificial lakes could be made and Yellowstone Valley offered the greatest possibilities.
Yellowstone Lake was built in 1954 with the goal of being one of Wisconsin's finest lakes. Fish biologists worked to identify fish that would be appropriate for the lake and today, you can fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, muskie, bluegill, crappie, perch, bullhead, catfish, burbot and gar in Yellowstone Lake.
Now, the west end of the 455-acre lake is a waterfowl refuge and continues to be popular for fishing, nature viewing and boating of all types. Yellowstone Lake is also a great spot for camping, biking, hiking and hunting. Come back in winter for groomed cross-country ski trails and seven miles of snowmobile trails within the park, which connect with other Lafayette County snowmobile trails.
Pancakes in the Park, the popular pancake brunch, returns as a fundraiser for the Copper Falls Trails Committee. Funds raised will help to purchase a new snowmobile for grooming winter ski trails.
Meet at the park pavilion. A vehicle admission sticker or day pass is required. A special thank you to the Friends of Copper Falls for sponsoring this program!
Trail Trekkers On The Lake To Lake Trail Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit Wednesday, Aug. 31 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Come for about a 3-mile hike north on the Lake to Lake Trail to the halfway point to the Long Lake Recreation Area. Make sure to wear good footwear and bring drinking water and insect repellant. A vehicle admission sticker is required. A shuttle will be available between the starting and finishing spot.
Meet at Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Pet Picnic Area.
