2019 Map of Nelson Lake

About this map

Nelson Lake and Fence Lake anchor a high-country wetland landscape along the boundary of Baraga and Iron counties. This interior portion of the Upper Peninsula is defined by its complex hydrography, where the headwaters of the East Branch Fence River and the W Br Michigamme River begin their descent through the timberlands. The terrain is a mosaic of marshes and small water bodies like Fire Lake and Saint Johns Lake, connected by a network of logging and access routes including Fence River Rd and Cut Across Rd. The drainage patterns of Wilson Cr and Leonard Cr reveal a landscape little changed by permanent settlement, instead serving as a critical watershed for the Michigamme and Fence river systems. Survey lines like the Baraga Co Iron Co border provide the primary structural markers across this wilderness area.