Bass Lake Preserve State Natural Area

Situated within a landscape of gently rolling pitted outwash, Bass Lake Preserve contains a small, 15-acre, undeveloped soft-water seepage lake, which still retains wilderness characteristics. The lake is slightly alkaline with light brown water of moderate transparency, has a maximum depth of 20 feet, and contains a largemouth bass and panfish fishery. Surrounding the lake is a narrow band of conifer bog of black spruce and tamarack with some white cedar and alder found in the wetlands. The bog supports a wide range of plants including seven-angled pipewort, moccasin flower, and pitcher plant. The conifer bog rises to uplands that are covered by a second growth northern mesic forest of sugar maple and hemlock. These vary in quality with a few stands of old-growth hemlock and super-canopy white and red pine scattered throughout. Other trees include yellow birch, red pine, white pine, jack pine, red maple, and red oak. Birds present include raven, red-breasted nuthatch, pine grosbeak, and osprey. Bass Lake Preserve is owned by The Nature Conservancy and was designated a State Natural Area in 1986.