https://ebird.org/hotspot/L441542
Habitat: Open Water, Northern Hardwoods, Hemlock-Hardwoods, Conifer Bog.
Best Birds: The Auto Tour that mostly follows Popko Circle Road provides Trumpeter Swan, Ring-Necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Common Loon, Black Tern, Bald Eagle, Osprey, and Merlin. Generally this is a good area for breeding and migrating sparrows and warblers.
At Fisherman’s Landing the “Hidden River” hiking trail starts from upper parking lot and goes through mixed forest habitat that provides excellent migrant warbler habitat.
The road from Hwy 182 to the Springstead Landing parking lot/boat landing is good birding. There is a fire tower on west side of road with osprey nest on top which is visible from Landing Road.
Trude Lake dike is part of Popko Circle West and a good site to see birds from your car. It is the first area to become ice-free in spring and good for waterfowl. West of the dike lies Big Island SWA
Murray’s Landing Road itself is a good birding hike, especially closer to the boat landing.
Directions: 45 miles S of ironwood, MI/10 miles southwest of Mercer. Access from the south is via either U.S. Highway 51 or State Highway 13; access points are also off State Highway 182 on the south side of the property or County Highway FF to the north.
Springstead Landing, 46.073234, -90.173879
Fisherman’s Landing, 46.091989, -90.169169
Trude Lake dike, 46.118099, -90.179841
Murray’s Landing, 46.0823568, -90.0797416
Site Address & Additional Information:
A 14,000 acre flowage including 195 islands, numerous wetlands, and over 20,000 acres uplands. Large areas of bog habitat border southern portions of TFF. The flowage is predominately open water. Northern hardwoods are predominately uplands but there are pockets of cedar/hemlock and other conifers. Water drawdowns limit vegetative wetland development.
DNR Office and start of auto tour: 5291 N. Statehouse Circle Mercer, Wisconsin
46.168387, -90.071211
Most lake access is by boat. Some areas are suitable for canoes and kayaks. Near Murray’s landing there is a voluntary quiet area and better kayaking and canoeing. The Manitowish River can be accessed off Hwy 47 at the intersection with Hwy 51 in Manitowish (46.1310541, -90.0121791) and canoed to Murray’s Landing.
For the adventurous, a 15 mile float trip on Manitowish River takes you through wild rice, marsh lands and northern forests. There are 3 main boat landings and several smaller landings that provide access. There are 3 miles of maintained trails for excellent birding. Camping is allowed on islands at marked sites and a boat is necessary for camping. Area is open to hunting.
Microsoft Word - Auto Tour Web Version.doc (wi.gov)
Turtle-Flambeau Wisconsin State Park System | Wisconsin DNR
Turtle-Flambeau Patterned Bog State Natural Area - Wisconsin DNR
Bruce Bacon
