Spotlighting Wisconsin’s last ‘wild lakes’ could increase efforts to preserve them, author hopes

Wisconsin lays claim to 15,000 lakes. But how many are still pristine, undeveloped wild lakes? According to a new book by a state naturalist, no more than 136 — less than 1 percent.

Development, such as the clearing of trees from shorelines to improve views from lake homes, has transformed most of the state’s lakes. So, too, has motorized recreation — boats that make noise and wakes that scare off wildlife and damage habitats.

Intentionally or otherwise, human activity alters water quality and changes what can and can’t be fished or hunted; activities that are at odds with keeping wild lakes wild. Naturalist John Bates explores that in his new book “Wisconsin’s Wild Lakes: A Guide to the Last Undeveloped Natural Lakes.”

“We are very capable of loving places to death, and we’ve seen that happen in many other places,” Bates recently told Wisconsin Public Radio’s “The Morning Show.“

Bates said many of the few remaining wild lakes are surrounded by publicly-owned land. He said the state should purchase more wild lakefront property, especially from willing sellers.

“I happen to love those lakes because they’re full of waterfowl, full of songbirds, fabulous plant life, but they’re not a place you’re going to go waterskiing or swimming necessarily. These are often bog or wetland kind of lake,” he said.

The best way to appreciate a wild lake, and conserve it, requires a different mindset; a quieter and slower approach, Bates said. He suggests visitors “sit along the shore, maybe for a little while. Calm yourself. Try to just listen, try to be a part of the place.”

Remind yourself, Bates said, that wild lakes are not only rare but “extraordinarily beautiful, peaceful places, and we’re trying to briefly be a part of those places.”

Bates’ book focuses on dozens of his favorite wild lakes, most of which are 30 acres in size are larger. (Bates said some 6,000 Wisconsin lakes are so small they remain unnamed.)

He includes in the book lakes “that were large enough that if you put a kayak or canoe on it, you would have to paddle at least 15, 20 minutes to go around the periphery.”

Bates acknowledged that drawing attention to specific wild lakes is risky because it attracts more visitors to them, which could be detrimental to these lake habitats.

But the upside to spotlighting these natural areas is greater than the downside, he said.

“We only protect what we love,” Bates said. “My hope is that getting people to some of these wild places will enhance and deepen their love of these places, such that they will work to conserve them and potentially to try to entice (state and federal conservation agencies) to purchase more wild lakes.”