Devil's Lake (Wisconsin)

History

The area around Devil's Lake shows evidence of human occupation between 12,000 and 16,000 years ago, following the retreat of the last glaciers. Ho-Chunk oral tradition speaks of people living there more than 300,000 years ago.

Various Native tribes called the lake Tewakakak or Minnewaukan, both meaning spirit lake in different Native American languages. The lake formed when a lobe of the glacier deposited a terminal moraine that blocked the original gorge of the Wisconsin River, creating an earthen dam. Another moraine was deposited at the north end, and the river eventually found a new course east of the Baraboo Hills, leaving the flooded gorge as Devil's Lake.

Geology

The bluffs surrounding Devil's Lake State Park are among the most ancient surface rock areas in North America, formed about 1.6 billion years ago. The Northern and Southern mountain ranges consist of quartzite, a non-porous metamorphic rock that originated as sediment deposited by ancient rivers when the land was underwater. Continental plate activity shaped the quartzite into the North and South ranges, with softer rock forming the Baraboo valley between them.

Ecology

Devil's Lake hosts a variety of wildlife, including naturally occurring bass and panfish, as well as stocked walleye, northern pike, and trout. Birds such as loons, herons, geese, and ducks are commonly seen, and the northern water snake, though non-venomous, can be aggressive if threatened.

Swimmer's itch, caused by a flatworm parasite hosted by snails, is common in summer; three of the seventeen snail species present—Physa skinneri, Gyraulus parvus, and Fossaria obrussa—host the parasite. Blue-green algae blooms occasionally occur, and the park advises visitors to watch for discolored water or surface scum. Water temperatures peak between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in July and August, and the lake freezes over in winter.

Devils Lake activities

The lake has two beaches, North Shore and South Shore, with picnic areas, shelters, bathrooms, concessions, and playgrounds. Visitors can rent pedal boats, paddle boards, and kayaks, and kayaking tours are offered in summer. Fishing is popular from shore or boat, with two boat launches on the southwest and northeast sides; only electric-powered motors are allowed. The clear waters and rock formations attract scuba divers.

Devil's Lake State Park has 29 miles of hiking trails across 17 established routes. The paved Tumbled Rocks Trail, one mile long and rated easy, is accessible for wheelchairs and leads to fishing spots and the popular diving rock known as Rock 8. The East Bluff Trail, 1.7 miles with over 500 feet of elevation gain, features overlooks, rock formations, and landmarks such as Elephant Rock and Elephant Cave. Winter activities include cross-country skiing on the Steinke Basin Loop trail, which is not tracked, and snowshoeing without restriction.

Did You Know?

• The name Devil's Lake is a misinterpretation of the Ho-Chunk name Te Wakącąk, which translates to Sacred Lake or Spirit Lake.
• The Koshawago Spring, originating from Koshawago Creek, provides an inlet to the lake on the southwest side.
• Voices of spirits were often claimed to be heard during Ho-Chunk celebrations at the lake.