When Jon and I bought Otter Run in Townsend in 1993, it was advertised as 87 acres on the Townsend Flowage. As recorded on the survey map, the property is composed of three distinct parcels. Perfect. Ah, nothing’s perfect. Thirty acres of it is underwater so only 57 acres actually belong to us.
What? Yes. Thanks to Wisconsin State Statute Chapter 28, if you are a U.S. citizen, you own that acreage as much as we do. A foundational principle rooted in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, Chapter 28 was incorporated into the Wisconsin Constitution in 1848.
Commonly known as the Public Trust Doctrine, the statute holds that navigable waters are “common highways and forever free” for the use of all state residents and U.S. citizens, without tax, input or duty. The doctrine is administered by the state of Wisconsin and entrusts the state legislature with the primary duty to enforce it.
Chapter 28 has never been an issue for us. When Oconto County lowered the Flowage in 2013 to repair the dam, Jon posted a sign on the lakebed: “Lots for Sale.” His silly sign drew some inquiries but no offers. All in good fun.
Seriously, an occasional boater disembarks on our shoreline to relieve a full bladder or retrieve a wayward fishing lure caught in the brush instead of the mouth of a trophy bass. No worries. We have even helped solve the problem if asked.
Over the years, our shoreline has been the scene of some very interesting woodland creature behavior. One particularly relevant example involves Lee Stehula, a now-deceased cousin who lived next door. When Lee saw otters running up and down our dock, he suggested we call our piece of poor man’s paradise, Otter Run. Perfect.
Speaking of perfect, one encounter I’ll never forget came when I went to check out loud splashing sounds close to our dock. I arrived just in time to observe a huge muskie take a big northern pike out for lunch. The muskie played with his catch, then gulped it down and rolled over several times as if celebrating. I couldn’t help but laugh aloud.
Another occurrence we still see now and then is muskrats frolicking in the water. In spring, we watch for the muskrat mating ritual. This humorous activity of procreation always brings to mind the Captain and Tennille song, “Muskrat Love.”
One incident I wish I had witnessed happened over the Sunday of Fourth of July weekend. As is our custom, we went out on the pontoon after the boat traffic died down. I packed some snacks and filled our cooler with adult beverages, chef salads, grilled bread, and brownies for dessert.
We prefer late afternoon boat rides that culminate with anchoring at our favorite dining spot, a quiet bay where we enjoy our meal. As always, this was a lovely way to end to a wonderful weekend with family. When we returned home, I headed up to the house while Jon battened down the hatches and relaxed on shore in one of our new lawn chairs.
Suddenly, he was startled by an animal that ran right by his feet with a big bullhead in its mouth. In the moment it took him to realize it was an adult mink, the animal, equally surprised, dropped its catch and ran.
Then, as Jon watched in quiet amazement, the mink stopped and turned to look back. In a scene reminiscent of a spaghetti western stand-off, they sized each other up. When Jon didn’t say a word or make a move, the mink returned to take possession of its prize and scurried away. My mate was still grinning when he eagerly recounted his experience.
We had seen mink over the years, but this had to be a once in a lifetime occurrence. I googled “American Mink” and learned that northern Wisconsin’s extensive wetlands and forests provide some of the best mink habitat in the state. In fact, mink are common throughout northern Wisconsin, especially in areas with abundant water and healthy wetlands. However, they’re secretive and fast, so up-close sightings are rare and brief. Lucky Jon.
The best place for meeting a mink is in a brushy wetland. Excellent swimmers, they frequent shorelines of rivers, streams, creeks, lakes, ponds, and marshes. They set up housekeeping in areas with fallen logs, rock piles and undercut stream banks and routinely use abandoned beaver ponds and lodges as burrows. Their diet includes fish, frogs, crayfish, muskrats, ducks and even small mammals.
If you’re serious about seeing one, go to a quiet shoreline or beaver pond at dawn or dusk. Look for a long, dark-brown animal with a low, bounding gait and bushy tail. And keep your camera handy. Jon’s encounter happened so fast he didn’t have time to get a photo. Shoot.
Kathleen Marsh is a lifelong educator, writer and community advocate. She has published eight books, four on the history of Townsend, where she and husband Jon are happily retired on the beautiful Townsend Flowage.
