Panning for gold and rock collecting on the Chequamegon-Nicolet

The collection of minor amounts of rock samples and panning activity as a recreational activity is allowed on National Forest land, but is strictly limited in the type of collecting activity and intensity of activity allowed. Recreational rock collecting and panning activities do not grant any rights to any discovered valuable mineral deposits. The 1872 General Mining Law does not apply to Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest lands.
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest authorizes recreational mineral collecting, such as panning for gold, without the need for a permit. Gold panning is only allowed with the use of small hand tools (pan, small shovel, and hand pick). Occasional recreation panning, for an individual or group is limited to extremely small areas of stream disturbance: A few scattered areas of less than 1 square foot and totaling less than 40 square feet within a 500 foot segment of a stream and would occur less than 5 days per year. The Forest does not issue permits for more substantial recreational collecting.
The use of suction dredges, any type of motorized equipment, mercury or any king of chemical, and sluice type devices is prohibited.
Gold panning activity is not permitted in classified trout water before April 15th and after September 15th. You must also avoid disturbing fish spawning nests.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has the responsibility and jurisdiction concerning water quality. Past contacts with the WDNR have indicated that occasional recreational panning with no equipment other than small hand tools (pan, small shovel, and hand pick as defined in Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 345.03(8)) would not have substantial effects on water quality and a permit would probably not be required.
The Forest Service needs to know the locations and dates of your proposed recreational panning or rock collecting. Please contact the individual below in advance of this activity.

Contact Greg Knight, Forest Geologist, Medford-Park Falls Ranger Station, 850 N. 8th, Hwy. 13, Medford, WI 54451, 715-748-4875, ext. 26, or email gknight@fs.fed.us