Our lake was given the name Bald Eagle by Arza C. Crosby. While on a hunting excursion and looking for land he and some friends came upon and killed a bald eagle on the island in the lake.
Crosby and his family had immigrated to this area in 1833 from New York state, and settled on land that had been taken from the Potawatomi in the Treaty of 1828. The title deeds were signed by then President Andrew Jackson. More info on earlier history
Summer Water Birds
Canada Goose
Mallard Duck
Purple Martin
Herring Gull
Mute Swan
Bufflehead Duck
Great Blue Heron
Eastern King Bird
Spring & Fall Migrators
Common Loon
Merganser Duck
American Coot
Canvasback Duck
Sandhill Crane
Other Wildlife
Beaver
Muskrat
Crawfish
Snapping Turtles
— sometimes blamed for a reduction in fish and waterfowl populations. Studies have shown, however, that Snapping Turtles eat insignificant amounts of game fish, and that mammalian nest predators and large fish kill far more waterfowl than do Snapping Turtles. As adults, Snapping Turtles have few predators other than humans.
Blandings Turtle