WSO Menu

Promoting the enjoyment, study, and conservation of Wisconsin's birds.

Black Lake Trail

Black Lake Trail, Sawyer County, WI, US - eBird Hotspot

Habitat:  Open Water, Mixed Coniferous Forest, Northern Hardwood Forest.

Best Birds: Black Lake attracts foraging Common Loon, Bald Eagle, and Belted Kingfisher.

The excellent hiking trail around the lake is heavily forested and is home to many northern forest birds including Ruffed Grouse, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Blue-headed Vireo, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Northern Parula and Magnolia, Blackburnian, and Black-throated Green Warbler.  Brushy areas may hold Golden-winged, Mourning, and Canada Warbler.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is possible where the trail passes near a Black Spruce/Tamarack bog at the northeast corner of the lake.

Directions: Located on FR 1666, 62 miles S of Ashland/35 miles east of Hayward and 9 miles northwest of Loretta. The four mile long trail that encircles Black Lake is most easily accessed off of Road 1666 at various spots including here (45.983771- 90.935223).

Site Address and Additional Information:

Forest Road 1666, Round Lake WI

45.983771- 90.935223

There is a small daily use fee for hiking the trail and for camping.

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest - Black Lake Recreation Area (usda.gov)

Keith Merkel