Core Study Lakes

Our monitoring and research program is focused on eleven core study lakes linked through common hydrologic, climatic, edaphic, and biogeographic systems. Intensive monitoring of these lakes is leveraged to learn about lakes both regionally and globally.

In 1981, seven northern lakes, located in north central Wisconsin, were chosen to represent marked differences in size, morphometry and habitat diversity, in thermal and climatic features, in species richness and assemblies, and in biological productivity. Sparkling Lake and Crystal Lake have been experimentally manipulated by NTL and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regularly stocks many lakes, sets bag limits and regulates shoreline maintenance. Research is based out of Trout Lake Station, which along with the seven core study lakes, is located within the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, Vilas County, on ancestral Ojibwe land.

In 1994, four southern lakes were added. These four eutrophic lakes in southern Wisconsin were chosen in a 2×2 design of urban vs. agricultural setting and headwater vs. lower in the landscape. Lake Mendota and Lake Wingra have been experimentally manipulated by NTL. All lakes are managed for recreational use with regular fish stocking, bag limits, shore regulations, and macrophyte mowing activities. Research is based out of the Hasler Lab on UW-Madison’s campus, which occupies ancestral Ho-Chunk land.