Lands_Content Page_Turtle Flambeau Nature

Nature and Wildlife Viewing

Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area

The Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area offers an abundance of opportunities for those wishing to observe wildlife either on the water or in the backcountry.

Nature watch tips

Tools of the trade

  • Binoculars and cameras with long lenses safely bring you close to wildlife without disturbing them.
  • Field guides and hand lenses open up new vistas in knowledge and ways of seeing.

Time, place and season

  • Watch at sunrise and sunset and check edges of habitats for the best views of wildlife.
  • Spring and summer bring the wonder of new life. Lend wildlife a helping hand by avoiding nests and animals with young.

Move gently through wild homes

  • Observe wildlife behaving naturally. Feeding human food to wild animals can harm them and endanger you.
  • Celebrate a wildflower on the stem, not in the hand. Stay on trails, walk with a careful step and flowers will flourish.
  • Savor watching fish in their natural habitat. Move quietly, slowly and avoid repeated visits.

Wildlife

The Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area encompasses nearly 37,000 acres and a wide variety of wildlife habitats. There are large expanses of open water, hundreds of scattered islands and many quiet bays in the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage. Surrounding woodlands vary from steeply rolling hills to level terrain; there are grassy openings, small wild lakes and ponds, and expansive wetlands. The woodlands consist primarily of aspen, northern hardwoods and white birch with scattered old growth hemlock and pine.

The flowage, known for its high density of bald eagles, osprey and common loons, is also home to black terns, merlins, trumpeter swans and over 150 other bird species. In addition, a variety of reptiles and amphibians plus mammals including deer, bear, bobcat and timber wolves are found here. There have even been occasional sightings of moose.

Many opportunities exist to observe and enjoy wildlife in a remote and wild setting. Approach wildlife slowly and quietly and be particularly careful not to disturb nesting birds or animals with small young.