The fascinating story behind Lake Sugema’s name

What began as a project to prevent soil loss, provide a recreational lake, and potentially supply water to the town of Keosauqua has become a popular wildlife area.

Naming Lake Sugema 

Van Buren County historian Ralph Arnold is the person responsible for naming Lake Sugema, and—in a twist of mystery—he refused to say what the name meant. Only upon his death in 2002 did a letter show up at the local newspaper, the Van Buren County Register, ending the mystery. According to Arnold, Sugema is a Native American word for mosquito.

Suffice it to say, if you’re heading up to Lake Mosquito, you best not forget your insect repellant!

Lake Sugema Wildlife

The area spans more than 3,900 acres of timber, lake, and grasslands, and is home to the endangered slender glass lizard and Henslow’s sparrow, along with hundreds of plant species. It’s part of the Lake Sugema-Lacey-Keosauqua Bird Conservation Area (BCA), which includes Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, county conservation-managed land, and private land. This area has become a destination for bird watchers from across the country.

Lake Sugema is also near the Shimek Forest BCA, enhancing Van Buren County’s stature in the birding community. Jeff Glaw, wildlife biologist for the Lake Sugema area since 1999, noted the presence of various bird species—including the cerulean warbler, a species of greatest conservation need.

The diverse landscape at Lake Sugema requires different management plans to achieve various outcomes. For instance, Henslow’s sparrows prefer older grassy areas, while quail thrive in disturbed soil, bare ground, and shrubby cover. The area is home to a booming quail population and a resurgence of pheasants following mild winters and average springs. Additionally, rabbit hunters from multiple states visit the area each fall, attracted by the abundant cottontails.

Lake Sugema is also a significant draw for trophy white-tailed deer hunters. Despite being underutilized since an outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in 2013, the area remains a prime spot for bowhunters.