Amsterdam Sloughs Wildlife Area


The Amsterdam Sloughs Wildlife Area is a tract of protected land located in Burnett County, Wisconsin, managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Amsterdam Sloughs Wildlife Area is one of three such wildlife areas within the bounds of the Glacial Lake Grantsburg project, the others being Crex Meadows and Fish Lake.

Barrens and wetlands

Over half of the Amsterdam Sloughs Wildlife Area is covered by either barrens or wetlands, with this type of land cover being the main reason for conservation efforts in the general area.
Cover TypeAcresPercentage cover
Aspen69717%
Developed15<1%
Grassland48312%
Lowland shrub1002%
Non-forested wetland1,78943%
Oak67916%
Swamp conifer581%
Swamp hardwood9<1%
Upland conifer421%
Upland hardwood651%
Water2626%
Total acreage4,199100%

Flora and fauna

There are several different types of trees residing in the wildlife area, the most prominent being oak, maple, hemlock, and red pine. In addition to the varied flora, in both Swan Lake and the surrounding marshland, musky, Northern pike, largemouth bass, walleye and northern pike are commonly found. Besides sea-dwelling fauna, black tern, turkey and shorebirds have been known to frequent the area.

Blomberg Lake and woods

The Blomberg Lake and Woods State Natural Area is a state natural area located within the Amsterdam Sloughs Wildlife Area. The natural area includes Blomberg Lake, a bog lake, with the other being made up mainly of rich forested land.