- Bookwood Historical Collection, Star Lake
Since 1953, a visit to Aqualand has become a Northwoods tradition for residents as well as vacationers in our area.
Located on County Highway K between Star Lake and Boulder Junction, Aqualand offers a variety of entertainment for the entire family.
Your self guided tour begins at the katydid, a exclusive gift shop, which offers glassware, collectibles and many other unique and unusual items. New additions this year are hand painted saws, hand crafted bird houses and feeders, and a line of pottery which includes--planters, mugs, vases, bun warmers and butter dishes.
The Pioneer Trading Post features mocs and leather goods, while the Souvenir Shop is one of the finest in the midwest with many items geared to the younger shoppers.
Moving on, you will pass a series of 6 giant fish tanks. Through a porthole view, you will observe a wide variety of native Wisconsin Game fish.
A beautiful pine shaded picnic area with grills is provided where you can bring your own lunch basket or get a light lunch at the nearby Frog House snack and concession stand.
Visit the trout ponds where no license is required to catch these fighting Rainbows. Bait, tackle and free cleaning are available, you pay only for what you catch. Take them home on ice and enjoy a meal of delicious Trout.
The waterways also include muskie ponds where each season thousands of visitors thrill to the sign of our "Kings of the Fresh Waters," the giant fighting muskie, feed on live frogs and fish which you toss into their ponds.
Now on to Uncle Pat's Farm where you will find domestic farm animals such as goat kids, calves, ponies, baby pigs and lambs.
A popular feature in this area is the 50 food bridge where the adventurous goats "walk the tight rope" over a pond below.
Tame deer will be waiting for your handouts and attention. they love having their picture taken. Enjoy hand feeding Katy, Bonnie, Randy, Daisy, Nancy, Herbie and the others.
Visit the otter colony where these natural actors will entertain you with their antics made famous in Disney movie productions.
Over 25 separate species of native animals are displayed, many tamed from their original wild state and other born right here. There are Kodiak and black bear, cougar, white Arctic and timber wolves, fox, buffalo, peafowl, beaver, raccoon, bobcat, lynx, owls and many, many more.
Since June of 1985, Aqualand is owned and operated by Nancy and Darryl Nelson, who together with their three daughters , Terry, Dayna and Wendy, moved here from Spring Valley where they operated a dairy farm.
Aqualand is open daily from 9:00 to 5:30, from early May thru mid October. For more information call 385-2181.