Forest Service improves public lake access with new fishing docks across the Chequamegon-Nicolet
Rhinelander, WI, May 18, 2026 — The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is pleased to announce that new fishing docks have been installed at several popular recreation sites across the forest. The Forest Service accomplished the project using funding from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest recreation personnel from across the forest worked together to install new fishing docks at the following recreation sites:
- Black Lake in Sawyer County
- Day Lake in Ashland County
- Sailor Lake in Price County
- Round Lake in Price County
- Blockhouse Lake in Price County
“These improvements help provide safe, reliable, and accessible recreation opportunities for residents and visitors enjoying National Forest lands,” said Chris Geidel, supervisory recreation technician for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. “Projects funded through Secure Rural Schools allow us to invest directly into recreation infrastructure that benefits rural communities and supports outdoor experiences for years to come.”
The upgrades go beyond simply replacing aging docks. The new structures are built with durable, low-maintenance materials designed to handle heavy use and Wisconsin’s weather, reducing long-term upkeep costs. They also make it easier for anglers of all ages and abilities to enjoy forest lakes—supporting local tourism, strengthening community connections to public lands, and encouraging more people to get outdoors.
The Secure Rural Schools program allows the Forest Service to improve recreation access across the forest, helping communities maintain the outdoor spaces that support local economies and quality of life.
For more information about recreation opportunities on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/chequamegon-nicolet.
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has, for more than 100 years, brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
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