Paddling season is here in the Great Lakes region! One of my favorite summer paddles in southeastern Wisconsin is Lulu Lake. Located in Walworth County, Lulu Lake State Natural Area was designated a State natural area in 1977. The Lulu Lake State Natural Area is jointly managed by the Nature Conservancy and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
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Lulu Lake
At 40 feet in depth, Lulu lake is fed by the Mukwonago River. As glaciers receded during the last Ice Age, melting blocks of ice detached from the underside of the glacier to form kettles. Kettle lakes such as Lulu Lake are numerous throughout the Kettle Moraine region and southern Wisconsin.
Today, Lulu is a slow, no-wake lake. Lulu’s shoreline provides habitat for high-quality, conservative native plants. Many of these plants are not found elsewhere in the state of Wisconsin. Check out the map of the Lulu Lake State Natural Area. The map illustrates the bounds of the preserve property surrounding Lulu Lake.
Paddling Lulu Lake | An Ecological Gem
There is much to explore by boat in Lulu Lake. To get into Lulu Lake, launch your kayak from the public boat launch on Eagle Spring Lake. Located on Wambold Rd., the launch is user-friendly and great for beginners. No fee is charged for kayaks. However, there is generally an attendant at the launch (a nice tip goes a long way!)
From the launch at Eagle Spring Lake, you’ll paddle across Eagle Spring Lake through a narrow channel full of water lilies, located at the southwest corner of the lake. From the launch into Lulu Lake, you’ll paddle approximately one mile south.
Directions to Eagle Spring Lake Boat Launch
The Eagle Spring Lake Boat Launch is on Wambold Road off of County Highway E, across from the Eagle Springs Pub in Mukwonago. From the intersection of Highway N/Highway J in Troy Center, take J eastward for about 2 miles. From there, head north on Highway E for another 2 miles. Finally, travel west on Wambold Rd. for a tenth of a mile to reach the public boat launch.
Parking at the Eagle Spring Boat Launch
Parking is available along the sides of Wambold Road. During the summer months, this launch is quite busy. As a result, you may have to park up to a quarter mile from the launch. You can, however, park in the grass near the launch temporarily to unload your boat before parking. Once on the water, be sure to watch for boat traffic as you cross Eagle Spring Lake.
Lulu Lake’s Unique Landscape
On the northwest shore of Lulu Lake, be sure to look for the tamarack trees dotting the landscape. Tamaracks are deciduous conifers commonly referred to as eastern larch or hackmatack. Technically, larch and tamarack trees are different species but share the same genus. As such, their names are often used interchangeably.
Lulu Lake’s Native Wetland and Calcareous Fen Plants
On the north and west side of Lulu Lake, you’ll find a large wetland complex and calcareous fen (a rare wetland composed of peat, fed by mineral-rich groundwater); an inlet stream enters the lake from the north, dotted with conservative native fen species such as Kalm’s lobelia, purple false foxglove, swamp betony, ladies tresses, and others.
Conservative Plant Species at Lulu Lake
Below, I’ve included some images of the more conservative native wetland and calcareous fen species in Lulu. Along the inlet to the lake and adjacent wetland, you’ll find these tiny plants. Many are so small they are not easily observed unless you are right along the shoreline.
Lulu Lake is an ecological gem, worthy of a morning, afternoon, or full day of exploration! This beautiful lake is a clean, picturesque, must-see destination for paddlers. Get out there and enjoy Wisconsin’s many beautiful lakes!
As a note, if you’re a silent sports enthusiast and interested in exploring more of southern Wisconsin by bike, check out my blog post Glacial Drumlin State Trail – Glacial Landscapes of Southern Wisconsin. This picturesque trail is one my favorite Rail Trails in Wisconsin!
Happy paddling!
– Erin
