Mud Lake Fen & Wet Prairie is exactly what it sounds like, although the fen is much smaller than the wet prairie.  It can be reached from a parking area off of Conservation Road south of Lake Mills.  One parking area is directly on that road and another is 1/4 mile north on an access lane.

Most of my time was spent in the wet prairie portion of the site, which as you may surmise was certainly wet.  I would recommend rubber boots because I was never sure exactly how wet my next step was going to be.  There are some areas thick with dogwood and poison sumac shrubs so be careful what you grab onto or brush up against.  Being mid-April, little of interest was observed blooming with the most noted species being an Equisetum.  There is a picturesque pond as well that provided for some nice photos.  I would like to return to this site and explore the fen in greater detail.  I may try a kayak as that may allow for easier access without so bushwhacking.

Wet Prairie

Equisetum sp.

Wet Prairie

Pond

Wet Forest

Wet Prairie

Wet Prairie

More of my photos (and full-res) from Mud Lake Fen & Wet Prairie can be viewed here.

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