The view of Pickerel Lake from the Accessible Trail turnaround.
Pickerel lake fen preserve - East Troy, WI
Pickerel Lake Fen Preserve is part of The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin. It's 184 acres of pristine wetlands and fen within the Mukwonago River Watershed. The fen is fed by natural springs and is one of the most biologically diverse in Southeastern Wisconsin. It is one of few fens under conservation protection. The plant community is rare and characterized by large burr and white oak trees, along with an understory of grasses and wildflowers. Rare fish species, such as the starhead topminnow, inhabit Pickerel Lake.
There are three separate access locations for the Pickerel Lake Fen Preserve within the Mukwonago River Watershed. So I'll start by linking to a map of them.
1) The northern location: We visited this portion of the Pickerel Lake Fen several years back. The initial entrance was lined with prairie flowers, and led to a small parking area. The trail from there leads down to the lake. Wildflowers were abundant, the view of the lake was lovely, and the water lilies were in bloom.
Location: N8957 Pickeral Jay Road, East Troy, WI (Walworth County)
2)The central location features a scenic, short, Accessible Trail for power-driven mobility devices. The trail ends with a beautiful view of Pickerel Lake and the surrounding wetlands at the trail turnaround. There are just a couple parking spaces here, including one that is handicap designated.
Location: N8740 Pickeral Lake Road, East Troy, WI (Walworth County)
3)The southern location of the preserve is a more traditional state natural area preserve. The entrance leads uphill to a prairie style preserve surrounded by woodlands and wetlands. To be honest, I could not locate a trail that led to the lake, but the map seemed to show it. As with most nature preserves, please stay on designated trails.
Location: Approx. N8681 Pickeral Jay Road, East Troy, WI (Walworth County)
For driving directions, and more information click here.
There are three separate access locations for the Pickerel Lake Fen Preserve within the Mukwonago River Watershed. So I'll start by linking to a map of them.
1) The northern location: We visited this portion of the Pickerel Lake Fen several years back. The initial entrance was lined with prairie flowers, and led to a small parking area. The trail from there leads down to the lake. Wildflowers were abundant, the view of the lake was lovely, and the water lilies were in bloom.
Location: N8957 Pickeral Jay Road, East Troy, WI (Walworth County)
2)The central location features a scenic, short, Accessible Trail for power-driven mobility devices. The trail ends with a beautiful view of Pickerel Lake and the surrounding wetlands at the trail turnaround. There are just a couple parking spaces here, including one that is handicap designated.
Location: N8740 Pickeral Lake Road, East Troy, WI (Walworth County)
3)The southern location of the preserve is a more traditional state natural area preserve. The entrance leads uphill to a prairie style preserve surrounded by woodlands and wetlands. To be honest, I could not locate a trail that led to the lake, but the map seemed to show it. As with most nature preserves, please stay on designated trails.
Location: Approx. N8681 Pickeral Jay Road, East Troy, WI (Walworth County)
For driving directions, and more information click here.
NORTHERN FEN
CENTRAL FEN
SOUTHERN FEN
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