https://ebird.org/wi/hotspot/L249732
Habitat: Open Water, Marsh, Sedge Meadow, Alder and Willow Swamp, Hemlock-Hardwood Forest, Conifer Bog.
Best Birds: Rice Lake produces abundant wild rice which attracts large numbers of migrating ducks especially in the fall. Breeding birds include Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, Sedge Wren, Marsh Wren, LeContes, Lincoln’s, Clay-colored, Savannah and White-throated, a good variety of warblers, and Brewers Blackbird. Though difficult to detect Yellow Rail, Merlin, and the rare Nelson’s Sparrow have been known to nest here in the past.
Directions: 85 miles NE of Wausau/1 mile north of the city of Three Lakes. From Hwy 45 take Rice Lake Road west into the wildlife area. The first parking lot marks the eastern boundary (45.81396, -89.18798) and continuing due west to Rice Lake is another parking area (45.81694, -89.22534).
Address and Additional Information:
This area is 3,000-acres consisting of open peat wetland and forested tamarack/black spruce wetland with the 120-acre Rice Lake and 1,800-acre Thunder Lake.
1983 Rice Lake Rd, Three Lakes, WI
Thunder Lake Wildlife Area | Wisconsin DNR
Rice Lake State Natural Area - Wisconsin DNR
One Stone Lake Hemlocks State Natural Area - Wisconsin DNR
Carl Schroeder
