Surrounding the lake and along the river are various types of wetlands including fens, bogs and sedge meadows. Plants found in the sedge meadows include blue flag iris, tussock sedge and Joe-Pye weed.
Calcareous fens are rare plant communities bathed by calcium-rich groundwater. On the higher ground, you will find prairie remnants and oak openings.
In the spring months, you’re likely to find early wildflowerssuch as spring beauty, bloodroot, trout lilies and large-flowered trillium.
The northern kitten tail is this preserve's most endangered plant. In the spring, this plant produces foot-high flowering stems resembling—you guessed it—the tail of a young feline.
Lulu Lake Preserve is a great place for birdwatching. A few of the species you can see are osprey, sandhill cranes, great-horned owls, common yellowthroats, ovenbirds and yellow warblers.
In summer, shooting stars, blazing star, lesser fringed gentian, grass-of-Parnassus and other wildflowers are abundant. Wildlife such as red foxes, beavers, muskrats and even badgers frequent the preserve.
Of the 150 fish species native to Wisconsin, 59 can be found in Lulu Lake and the Mukwonago River! The river is home to several rare fish species, including the longear sunfish. The clear, deep lake water provides habitat for glacial relict fish such as the blackchin shiner and the Iowa darter.
As fall approaches, the summer colors fade to red, orange and gold as plants like Ohio goldenrod bloom. Migratory birds are on the move, and you’re likely to spot raptors such as broad-winged and red-tailed hawks.
When winter arrives, snow and ice blanket the area, making it a welcome respite for visitors seeking the peace and quiet of the season. But winter is still a busy time in nature; watch for great-horned owls, bald eagles and potentially even snowy owls. Winter is a great time to snowshoe or cross-country ski on the ungroomed trails.
Many of our preserves allow deer hunting from October through the first week of January, so wearing blaze orange is suggested when hiking in these areas during hunting season.
