Wisconsin is home to countless naturally formed lakes, more than any other American state — except Alaska and Minnesota (though this is certainly debated heavily depending on which statistics you’re looking at). With so many incredible lakes found within our borders, it can be hard to choose a favorite, so we polled our readers on our Only In Wisconsin Facebook page and our Wisconsin Nature Lovers Facebook group. These 16 lakes all stood out as some of the state’s most beautiful, and we hope you’ll take advantage of the next warm weekend to make a splash in one of these wondrous Wisconsin lakes perfect for fishing, boating, swimming, and water recreation of all kinds.
- Lake Tomah
Bryan Meyer/Wisconsin Nature Lovers With a maximum depth of 19 feet and a size of 245 acres, Lake Tomah, located in Monroe County, boasts four public boat landings. The lake is home to panfish, largemouth bass, and northern pike. While water clarity is low, the sunsets are truly second to none.
- Pope Lake
Amy Sieren Obremski via Only In Wisconsin Though small - measuring at just 21 acres in size - the undeveloped Pope Lake is an absolute treasure. Fishing is one of the most popular activities here, though we think there’s little more peaceful than an afternoon spent exploring the lake via kayak.
- Lake Pepin
Becky Haag via Only In Wisconsin Nestled on the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota, Lake Pepin is the largest lake on the Mississippi River. It is often considered one of the most scenic areas in North America. It is not only considered the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Pepin) but where the sport of waterskiing was invented (Lake City). It’s also home to Pepie, a world-famous lake monster.
- Devil’s Lake
Stephen Duholm via Only In Wisconsin Devil’s Lake State Park is the state’s most popular, and it’s easy to see why. This scenic lake is absolutely heavenly - despite its name - and is a popular destination for swimming and hiking with two large, sandy beaches and some truly epic trails sure to fuel your sense of adventure.
- Lake Redstone
Kate Johnson Policheri via Only In Wisconsin This one-of-a-kind man-made lake features little public property as well as lots of development and power boats, but it happens to be one of the area’s coolest paddling lakes. Why? The unique red stone bluffs scattered across the lake, but concentrated in the section.
- Lake Minocqua
Ted Pittman via Only In Wisconsin At more than 1,300 acres Lake Minocqua is an absolute treasure. The name Minocqua means “noon day rest,” and is translated from the Ojibwe word “Ninocqua.” It is indeed an idyllic spot for a mid-day rest, don’t you think?
- Geneva Lake
Desirae Skelton via Only In Wisconsin A popular resort destination in Southeastern Wisconsin, this 5,000-acre lake features six public boat landings as well as half a dozen beaches perfect for those who don’t have access to a boat!
- Lake Of The Pines
Glenn Petrowski/Wisconsin Nature Lovers This 273-acre lake is a popular fishing spot, with access to musky, panfish, largemouth bass, and walleye. Those who want to spend a weekend at the lake will love staying at the Lake Of The Pines Campground, which is open April 15 through December 15 and features nature trails, ATV trails, a swimming beach, and more.
- Fish Lake
Jennifer Williams via Only In Wisconsin Perhaps one of the most fascinating destinations on this list, Fish Lake is the casualty of rising waters in northwestern Dane County that destroyed several homes and covered roadways and acres upon acres of property. If you visit, you might just feel as though you’re paddling through a ghost town.
- Lake Joanis
Deano Holzbauer via Only In Wisconsin With crystal-clear waters, the 24-acre Lake Joanis protects a variety of aquatic and shoreline habitats. Swimming is not allowed, but the lake is a perfect destination for beginner paddlers and a 1-mile trail loops around the lake and features stunning views.
- Pike Lake
Aaron Colburn via Only In Wisconsin With a maximum depth of 45 feet and a size of 461 acres, Pike Lake is perfectly sized for fishing, relaxing, and even ATVing along the shore. Walleye is abundant and you can explore the lake from one of three boat landings and a public beach.
- Lost Land Lake
Tracy Bos Bruner via Only In Wisconsin With a 10 mph speed limit, visitors to Lost Land Lake and the neighboring Teal Lake will enjoy a quiet oasis perfect for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. Extend your day on the water to an entire weekend when you stay at the Lost Land Lake Lodge, which is nearly a century old and features five rustic cabins and phenomenal lake views.
- Spider Chain of Lakes
Jennifer Malphy/Wisconsin Nature Lovers Located 14 miles northeast of Hayward, Spider Chain of Lakes is a sprawling beauty. Comprised of five interconnected lakes, there is endless natural beauty to explore here.
- Lake Van Zile
Kim Plaff Schott via Only In Wisconsin Located within both Florence and Forest counties, Lake Van Zile is a peaceful gem that measures in at 78 acres. Visitors can enjoy fishing or a picturesque picnic – or both!
- Shawano Lake
Ann Hairapetian/Wisconsin Nature Lovers Measuring in at more than 6,200 acres, Shawano Lake is a hard water drainage lake with multiple inlets and one major outlet - the Wolf River. It is a popular destination for boating, swimming, fishing, water skiing, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities.
- Marl Lake, Chain o’Lakes
Captain Quackers via Only In Wisconsin The teeny-tiny 14-acre Marl Lake is the perfect destination for a leisurely float. Part of the Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes, which includes 22 interconnected lakes, this crystal-clear lake is home to musky, panfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye.
Fun fact: Did you know that there are more than 100 lakes in Wisconsin with the same name — mud lake. Another popular lake name in Wisconsin is Long Lake, with 59 bodies of water sharing the name. If you enjoy reading about Wisconsin lakes, you’ll love our recent article, The Most Remote Lake In Wisconsin Is Also The Most Peaceful. Join our Wisconsin Nature Lovers Facebook group to discover more epic photographs like this and share your own.
Bryan Meyer/Wisconsin Nature Lovers
With a maximum depth of 19 feet and a size of 245 acres, Lake Tomah, located in Monroe County, boasts four public boat landings. The lake is home to panfish, largemouth bass, and northern pike. While water clarity is low, the sunsets are truly second to none.
Amy Sieren Obremski via Only In Wisconsin
Though small - measuring at just 21 acres in size - the undeveloped Pope Lake is an absolute treasure. Fishing is one of the most popular activities here, though we think there’s little more peaceful than an afternoon spent exploring the lake via kayak.
Becky Haag via Only In Wisconsin
Nestled on the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota, Lake Pepin is the largest lake on the Mississippi River. It is often considered one of the most scenic areas in North America. It is not only considered the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Pepin) but where the sport of waterskiing was invented (Lake City). It’s also home to Pepie, a world-famous lake monster.
Stephen Duholm via Only In Wisconsin
Devil’s Lake State Park is the state’s most popular, and it’s easy to see why. This scenic lake is absolutely heavenly - despite its name - and is a popular destination for swimming and hiking with two large, sandy beaches and some truly epic trails sure to fuel your sense of adventure.
Kate Johnson Policheri via Only In Wisconsin
This one-of-a-kind man-made lake features little public property as well as lots of development and power boats, but it happens to be one of the area’s coolest paddling lakes. Why? The unique red stone bluffs scattered across the lake, but concentrated in the section.
Ted Pittman via Only In Wisconsin
At more than 1,300 acres Lake Minocqua is an absolute treasure. The name Minocqua means “noon day rest,” and is translated from the Ojibwe word “Ninocqua.” It is indeed an idyllic spot for a mid-day rest, don’t you think?
Desirae Skelton via Only In Wisconsin
A popular resort destination in Southeastern Wisconsin, this 5,000-acre lake features six public boat landings as well as half a dozen beaches perfect for those who don’t have access to a boat!
Glenn Petrowski/Wisconsin Nature Lovers
This 273-acre lake is a popular fishing spot, with access to musky, panfish, largemouth bass, and walleye. Those who want to spend a weekend at the lake will love staying at the Lake Of The Pines Campground, which is open April 15 through December 15 and features nature trails, ATV trails, a swimming beach, and more.
Jennifer Williams via Only In Wisconsin
Perhaps one of the most fascinating destinations on this list, Fish Lake is the casualty of rising waters in northwestern Dane County that destroyed several homes and covered roadways and acres upon acres of property. If you visit, you might just feel as though you’re paddling through a ghost town.
Deano Holzbauer via Only In Wisconsin
With crystal-clear waters, the 24-acre Lake Joanis protects a variety of aquatic and shoreline habitats. Swimming is not allowed, but the lake is a perfect destination for beginner paddlers and a 1-mile trail loops around the lake and features stunning views.
Aaron Colburn via Only In Wisconsin
With a maximum depth of 45 feet and a size of 461 acres, Pike Lake is perfectly sized for fishing, relaxing, and even ATVing along the shore. Walleye is abundant and you can explore the lake from one of three boat landings and a public beach.
Tracy Bos Bruner via Only In Wisconsin
With a 10 mph speed limit, visitors to Lost Land Lake and the neighboring Teal Lake will enjoy a quiet oasis perfect for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. Extend your day on the water to an entire weekend when you stay at the Lost Land Lake Lodge, which is nearly a century old and features five rustic cabins and phenomenal lake views.
Jennifer Malphy/Wisconsin Nature Lovers
Located 14 miles northeast of Hayward, Spider Chain of Lakes is a sprawling beauty. Comprised of five interconnected lakes, there is endless natural beauty to explore here.
Kim Plaff Schott via Only In Wisconsin
Located within both Florence and Forest counties, Lake Van Zile is a peaceful gem that measures in at 78 acres. Visitors can enjoy fishing or a picturesque picnic – or both!
Ann Hairapetian/Wisconsin Nature Lovers
Measuring in at more than 6,200 acres, Shawano Lake is a hard water drainage lake with multiple inlets and one major outlet - the Wolf River. It is a popular destination for boating, swimming, fishing, water skiing, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities.
Captain Quackers via Only In Wisconsin
The teeny-tiny 14-acre Marl Lake is the perfect destination for a leisurely float. Part of the Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes, which includes 22 interconnected lakes, this crystal-clear lake is home to musky, panfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye.
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