The 10 Biggest Lakes in Wisconsin
Whether you want to fish, boat, swim, or just relax, one of Wisconsin's biggest lakes is sure to meet and exceed all of your expectations! Click here for more.
Written by Drew Waterstreet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- Lake Superior (2,028,800 acres)
- Lake Michigan (1,434,000 acres)
- Lake Winnebago (137,700 acres)
- Lake Pepin (25,600 acres)
- Petenwell Lake (23,040 acres)
- Castle Rock Lake (16,640 acres)
- Lake Chippewa (14,593 acres)
- Lake Mendota (9,740 acres)
- Lake Wisconsin (9,500 acres)
- Lake Butte des Morts (8,575 acres)
- Saving money on your car insurance has never been easier
- FAQs
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Most of Wisconsin’s biggest natural lakes, including the bordering Great Lakes, were the result of melting glaciers roughly 20,000 years ago—about 15,000 lakes were formed throughout the process.
Today, residents and tourists alike reap the benefits of this environmental shift. So whether you want to fish, boat, swim, or just relax, Wisconsin has a lake for you.
It would be impossible to analyze all 15,000, so the experts at
Jerry
, the #1-rated car insurance
app for car owners who want to save money
, have narrowed the list down to the top 10 biggest lakes in Wisconsin. We’ll show you where to find them and what makes them undeniably unique—let’s dive in!Lake Superior (2,028,800 acres)
Location: La Pointe, WI
The best way to explore the over two million acres of water Lake Superior offers is by taking the
circle tour
. But if you only had to visit one destination on Lake Superior, we recommend visiting the
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
. Over thousands of years, crashing waves have formed incredibly unique sea caves into the shoreline that can be explored by kayak or guided boat tour—you don’t want to miss this!RECOMMENDED
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Lake Michigan (1,434,000 acres)
Location: Sturgeon Bay, WI
It may be named Lake Michigan, but that doesn’t discredit Wisconsin’s massive ownership claim—407 miles of coastline, to be exact. This Great Lake is primarily cold water but can reach a maximum temperature of 72 degrees in the warmer and more fertile harbors and bays. This aquatic environment best suits lake trout, whitefish, and perch.
Many major Wisconsin travel destinations can be found along the coastline, including
Green Bay
, Door County, Manitowoc, Two Rivers
, and more!Lake Winnebago (137,700 acres)
Location: Chilton, WI
With a maximum depth of 21 feet, it’s no Great Lake, but Lake Winnebago is nonetheless a spectacular body of water where aquatic life is thriving. According to Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources, here’s what type of fish you may encounter while casting out a line:
- Panfish (Abundant)
- Walleye (Abundant)
- Sturgeon (Abundant)
- Catfish (Abundant)
- Largemouth Bass (Common)
- Smallmouth Bass (Common)
- Musky (Present)
- Northern Pike (Present)
Anglers from around the country make it a fishing destination for both recreation and competition. If you want to test your luck, check out this
Travel Wisconsin guide
for the best fishing places on Lake Winnebago.Lake Pepin (25,600 acres)
Location: Stockholm, WI
The thing about Lake Pepin is that it’s not really a lake at all. It’s simply a wide enough expanse in the Mississippi River that they call it a lake.
Formalities aside, this popular swell is a popular recreation area for sailing, fishing, canoeing, water skiing, boating, and swimming for Wisconsin and Minnesota residents alike—depending on what side of the river you’re on, of course! And if you time your visit right, you may be able to catch the Mississippi Queen or Delta Queen paddle-wheel boats passing through.
Petenwell Lake (23,040 acres)
Location: Necedah, WI
Petenwell Lake is the largest human-made body of water in the state and was created as a byproduct of the hydroelectric dam built by the Wisconsin River Power Company. But in Wisconsin, a lake is a lake, artificial or not. Many people who vacation in the
Wisconsin Dells
take a day trip to Petenwell Lake to spend a day out on the boat—it’s only about 30 minutes away.Castle Rock Lake (16,640 acres)
Location: Friendship, WI
With multiple boat launches, several public beaches, lakeside restaurants, and many recreation activities, Castle Rock Lake is often referred to as the “Midwest’s Best Kept Secret.”
However, it did feature on HGTV’s Lakefront Bargain Hunt, so it’s not that big of a secret anymore. In addition, Friendship is conveniently located in the middle of the state, so Castle Rock Lake is accessible to various metro areas like
Madison
, Milwaukee
, Chicago
, and even Minneapolis
.Lake Chippewa (14,593 acres)
Location: Couderay, WI
The damming of the Chippewa River in 1923 forced 11 natural lakes, 9 rivers, and countless streams to combine into one body of water—the Chippewa flowage. This area has successfully been converted into one of the top resort destinations in the state. Outdoor enthusiasts from far and wide come to enjoy the opportunity to fish, hunt, golf, and ride ATVs or snowmobiles.
Lake Mendota (9,740 acres)
Location: Madison, WI
Lake Mendota certainly puts to rest any claims that Wisconsin can’t be a vibrant summer vacation destination. It is the largest and deepest body of water in the Yahara chain of lakes and is overlooked by the buzzing streets of downtown Madison. The variety of activities on and off the water makes this
an incredible area to explore
.Lake Wisconsin (9,500 acres)
Location: Poynette, WI
The shallow depth of Lake Wisconsin, a maximum of 24 feet, makes it an ideal habitat for many native fish. Here are the species that you can expect to take your bait:
- Largemouth Bass (Common)
- Smallmouth Bass (Common)
- Northern Pike (Common)
- Walleye (Common)
- Panfish (Present)
- Trout (Present)
- Catfish (Present)
Lake Butte des Morts (8,575 acres)
Location: Omro, WI
Lake Butte des Morts was the benefitting body of water that resulted from the construction of a dam on the Fox River in the 1800s. Even though it was human-made, the area has a thriving natural ecosystem.
The lake is particularly famous for being home to over 100-pound lake sturgeon. And the fishing doesn’t stop when summer is over. You’ll see countless ice fishing shacks set up on Lake Butte des Morts where serious anglers test their luck below the thick frozen surface.
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FAQs
What is the oldest lake in Wisconsin?
Glacier Lake, also known as Big Green Lake, is the oldest landbound lake in the state, existing since the end of the last ice age—approximately 18,000 years ago.
Are there natural lakes in Wisconsin?
Almost all of the lakes in Wisconsin are naturally formed. This is due to the melting of the glaciers roughly 20,000 years ago.
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