The Magic of Wisconsin Lakes – The Ranking of Wisconsin Lakes

There are many reasons people fall in love with Wisconsin lakes. Spectacular sunrises and sunsets, good fishing, a tour of the water in a favorite boat, a beautiful backdrop to enjoy scenery and explore nature, a place to reflect or just get away from it all. With more than 15,000 Wisconsin lakes, there are many types and sizes of lakes all with their own unique character and natural assets.

Ranking the Lakes in Wisconsin

The clearest lakes aren’t necessarily the healthiest.  An extremely clear lake may lack the plant life needed to support a robust fishery. Ecologically balanced lakes are more important: those with a healthy mix of native plants, forested shores, minimum runoff coming into them, a good fishery and diverse wildlife.  

Dodge County’s Fox Lake is the most challenged lake in the state, because of  its high phosphorus level and poor native plant community. Farms with 400 and 500 dairy cows dot its watershed and industrial waste is being spread in its backyard. The lake underwent a restoration that held for a while, but it has relapsed.  

Wisconsin’s Clearest Lakes

Black Oak Lake, Vilas County (30.8 feet of visibility)
Blue Lake, Oneida County (29 feet)
Bardon (Whitefish) Lake, Douglas County (26.3 feet)
Lee Lake, Oneida County (26.1 feet)
Upper Eau Claire Lake, Bayfield County (25.3 feet)
Fence Lake, Vilas County (25.1 feet)
Pine Lake, Waukesha County (24.3 feet)
 Stone Lake, Washburn County(24.0 feet)
Bond Lake, Douglas County (22.8 feet)
Wind Pudding Lake, Oneida County (22.8 feet)
Source: Based on water clarity data provided by the UW-Extension Lakes Program.
 
Wisconsin’s Healthiest Lakes

Lakes Owen Lake, Bayfield County.
Dorothy Lake, Chippewa County.
East Ellerson Lake, Vilas County
Burnt Wagon Lake, Chippewa County
Bond Lake, Douglas County.
Middle lake of Lauderdale Lakes, Walworth County.
Montgomery Lake, Kenosha County
Lulu Lake, Pleasant Lake and Wandawega Lake in Walworth County
Gilbert Lake and Lowe Lake in Washington County
Little Elkhart Lake in Sheboygan County
Pine Lake, Waukesha County
Max Lake, Stormy Lake, Smokey Lake, Black Oak Lake, North Twin Lake, Aurora Lake, Little John Lake and Vista Lake in Vilas County.
Source: Selected by Wisconsin DNR lake experts. 
 
Wisconsin’s Murkiest Lakes

Tainter Lake, Dunn County (0.6 feet of visibility)
Fox Lake, Dodge County (0.83 feet)
Beaver Dam, Dodge County (1.08 feet)
Round Lake, Chippewa County (1.40 feet)
Mason Lake, Adams County (1.50 feet)
Petenwell Lake, Adams County (1.50 feet)
Park Lake, Columbia County (1.50 feet)
Ludden Lake, Iowa County (1.50 feet)
Lake Tomah, Monroe County (1.50 feet)
Dexter Lake, Wood County (1.50 feet)
Source: Based on July-August water clarity data provided by the UW-Extension Lakes Program. 


Wisconsin’s Biggest Lakes
  
1. Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac County, among others, 137,708 acres.
2. Petenwell Lake, Adams/Wood counties, 23,040 acres (The state’s largest man-made lake was created in 1948 by damming the Wisconsin River at Neceda.)
3. Chippewa Lake (part of the Chippewa Flowage), Sawyer County, 15,300 acres.
4. Poygan Lake, Winnebago County, 14,102 acres.
5. Castle Rock Flowage, Juneau County, 13,955 acres.
Source: Wisconsin DNR, Wisconsin lakes inventory.
 
Wisconsin’s Deepest Lakes

1.Lake Wazee, the former Jackson County iron mine quarry, 350 feet.
2.Green Lake, Green Lake County, 236 feet.
3.Redgranite Quarry, Waushara County, 163 feet.
4.Lake Geneva, Walworth County, 135 feet.
5. Lohrville Quarry, Waushara County,120 feet.
Source: Wisconsin DNR, Wisconsin lakes inventory.
 
Most Popular Lake Names

Mud Lake, 116
Bass Lake, 82
Long Lake, 59
Spring Lake, 45
Lost Lake, 42
Source: Wisconsin DNR  

Top Ten Public Enemies

1. Eurasian Water Milfoil, 479 lakes affected
2. Rusty Crawfish, 456 lakes
3. Curly Pondweed, 307 lakes
4. Chinese Mystery Snail, 217 lakes
5. Zebra Mussels, 121 lakes
6. Banded Mystery Snail, 105 lakes
7. Hybrid Milfoil, 28 lakes
8. Rainbow Smelt, 21 lakes
9. Spiny Water flea, 7 lakes
10. Japanese Mystery Snail, 3 lakes
Source: Wisconsin DNR inventory  

Wisconsin Lakes’s Top Ten Fishing Spots

Wisconsin ranks No. 2 nationally in the number of days of fishing by nonresidents and the number of nonresident anglers – nearly 400,000. Only Florida ranks higher – and it has an ocean! Some 1.4 million licensed anglers fished Wisconsin waters in 2010, catching an estimated 88 million fish. The most frequently caught were: panfish, bass, walleye, northern pike, trout, catfish and muskie. In all, 165 species are found in the state. 

1. Chippewa Flowage, Hayward: One of the largest lakes in the state, known for its muskie fishing.
2. Lake Winnebago, Oshkosh: Wisconsin’s largest lake is known nationwide for its tremendous walleye fishery and winter sturgeon spearing season.
3. Lake Poygan, Winneconne Lake and Lake Butte des Morts, Oshkosh: Connected to Lake Winnebago, these lakes have quality walleye and bass.
4. Petenwell Flowage, Wisconsin Rapids: Part of the Wisconsin River system, the area is known for its muskie fishing.
5. Eagle River Chain, Eagle River: Part of the world’s largest chain of lakes (in number of lakes), this popular destination is known for its diverse fishery, which includes muskie and walleye.
6. Mississippi River (all of Wisconsin that borders it): A diverse and robust fishery holding hundreds of species of fish, most notably bass and walleye.
7. Green Bay (part of Lake Michigan), Green Bay: Known nationwide for its trophy-sized walleye and up-and-coming trophy muskie fishery.
8. Chequamegon Bay, Ashland: One of Lake Superior’s premier areas for smallmouth bass, the bay also holds salmon, trout and walleye.
9. Shawano Lake, Shawano: A great lake for bass, walleye and muskie.
10. Three Lakes Chain, Three Lakes: A very diverse fishery featuring walleye, bass and muskie, with numerous trophy fish of all species.
Source: Information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Survey and the American Sportfishing Association. Top ten picks by Steve Swierczynski, research director for Rhinelander- based Fishing Hot Spots Inc.  
 
Wisconsin’s Best Swimming Spots

What makes a great swimming hole? A sandy beach, a hard-bottom lake with clear water and public access. We asked local officials and DNR lakes experts to help us indentify the best in each county (listed geographically):

Southeast Milwaukee County: Upper Kelly Lake
Waukesha County: Pretty Lake, Silver Lake and Ottawa Lake
Waukesha-Jefferson County: Golden Lake
Washington County: Eastern bays of Big Cedar Lake, Erler Lake, Little Cedar Lake, Pike Lake and Silver Lake
Racine County: Browns Lake
Kenosha County: Lily Lake, Powers Lake and Silver Lake
Walworth County: Rock and Pleasant Lakes and Big Foot Beach on Lake Geneva
North and Northeast
Vilas County: Silver Lake Beach and Park, Little Star Lake Park and Beach, Crystal Lake Park and Beach, and Black Oak Lake Park and Beach
Oneida County: Two Sisters Lake, Clear Lake, Sugar Camp Lake, Lake Minocqua and Buck Lake
Marinette County: Lake Noquebay and Timms Lake
Oconto County: Boot Lake and Bass Lake
Langlade County:Jack Lake and Summit Lake
Lincoln County: Pesobic Lake, Tug Lake, Bass Lake and Seven Island Lake
Door County: ClarkLake

North Central

Waushara County: Little Silver Lake
Waupaca County: Shadow Lake
Portage County: Sunset Lake
Jackson County: Wazee Lake
Wood County: Lake Wazeecha
Adams County: Jordan Lake, Crooked Lake, Wolf Lake, Parker Lake and Deep Lake Marquette County: Pleasant Lake
Columbia County: Silver Lake in Portage

East Central

Sheboygan County: Crystal Lake and Elkhart Lake
Fond du Lac County: Mauthe Lake and Wolf Lake
Winnebago County: Lake Winneconne and Lake Winnebago
Southwest
Bayfield County: Twin Bear Lake and Lake Owen
Douglas County: Lake Nebagamon and Dowling Lake
Burnett County: Devils Lake
Washburn County: Shell Lake
Sawyer County: Round Lake
Barron County: Silver Lake
Polk County: Balsam Lake
Chippewa County: Round Lake in Samson
Price County: Elk Lake and Solberg Lake
Taylor County: Sackett Lake

If you are thinking about buying waterfront property in Wisconsin,  A little time invested in learning about waterfront living will pay back sizable dividends in matching your expectations to the realities.

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