Trout Lake Conifer Swamp State Natural Area

Trout Lake Conifer Swamp is a small, mature northern wet-mesic forest composed of white cedar, black spruce, tamarack, and balsam fir. The ground cover is carpeted with sphagnum moss in which grow a number of orchids, one-sided pyrola, one-flowered wintergreen, American starflower, bunchberry, Canada mayflower, and many other typical bog plants. In the northwestern corner a series of springs flow to the northwest. Alder and black ash dominate in these areas. Surrounding the swamp are large-toothed aspen and white birch. Nesting birds include many warblers: Nashville, black and white, blackburnian, black-throated green, yellow-rumped, and northern parula. Black bears and large numbers of phantom crane flies have been observed. Recent water level changes have resulted in tree mortality and have compromised the quality of the site. Trout Lake Conifer Swamp is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1953.