I had paddled Lac du Bois before, enjoying the quiet lake with all of its ducks, muskrats, painted turtles, and pond life. The lake is within the Lac du Bois Grasslands Conservancy and new fences and gates now block vehicle access (a good thing) so getting a boat down to the lakeshore is more difficult. I lifted the kayak over the rail fence, then hauled it down to the lakeshore.
A more difficult launch means less people on the lake, but that also makes the lake quieter and preserves its natural state.
On this greyish morning, there were lots of ducks and a muskrat. I spotted the beaver lodge on the north shore. A few birds flitted by in the trees.
A paddle around the lake is 3.4 km, taking under an hour.
Paddling on the lake takes more work, but when the conditions are right, it is a fine place to spend some quiet time in the Nature Conservancy.