7 Reasons Wisconsin Has the Best Lakes in the United States

Wisconsin’s nickname is the Badger State, but it’s also famous for being home to 15,000 lakes! In fact, Wisconsin has the second-highest number of lakes of any state in the country. This status alone is exciting enough, but there are also many reasons that Wisconsin has the best lakes in the United States. From stunning landscapes and beaches to fun recreational activities, Wisconsin lakes are a hotspot for visitors year-round.

In addition to thousands of smaller lakes, two of the Great Lakes stretch into Wisconsin. Lake Michigan and Lake Superior provide more than 800 miles of Great Lakes shoreline for Wisconsin lakegoers.

See below for seven reasons Wisconsin has the best lakes in the United States. Plus, we’ve provided some examples of where you can enjoy these benefits!

1. Breathtaking Landscapes

A major reason that Wisconsin has the best lakes in the United States is because of this state’s scenic beauty. For example, visitors can see a variety of lush forests, rock formations, wildflowers, and grasslands near most of the lakes statewide.

There are also beautiful nature reserves to enjoy, in addition to the stunning shorelines that make every lake visit a feast for the eyes.

Highlights from beautiful Wisconsin lake landscapes include:

• The crystal-clear waters of Geneva Lake
• The vertical sandstone cliffs around Lake Superior, plus the Apostle Islands
• The limestone cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment at Lake Winnebago
• The floodplain forests near Lake Pepin
• The ancient rocky bluffs at Devil’s Lake (and Devil’s Lake State Park)
• Kettle Moraine State Forest at Pike Lake.

Wisconsin Lake Beaches

So far, we’ve talked about the landscapes near the beaches, but the lake beaches themselves are well worth a Wisconsin trip! Many Wisconsin lakes have ocean-like beaches with picnic areas and playgrounds nearby. And many of the smaller beaches offer stunning views and sometimes more privacy.

Here’s a small selection of beaches at Wisconsin lakes that get rave reviews:

• North Beach at Lake Michigan: 2,500 feet of sandy shoreline
• Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island in Lake Michigan: A unique beach made of smooth, white stones
• Menominee Park Beach at Lake Winnebago: Great for families with kids, with a free children’s zoo in Menominee Park
• Swimming Beach in Fireman’s Park at Elkhart Lake in Sheboygan County: Another great beach for families, with a concession stand and volleyball courts.

There are many more great beaches and natural sights worth seeing at Wisconsin lakes, of course. You can also spot different wild animals and do some fascinating birdwatching.

2. Lake Wildlife

The wildlife living in and around its lakes is another reason why Wisconsin has the best lakes in the United States. Songbirds, raptors, freshwater fish, black bears, turtles, frogs, snakes, and many more wild creatures live in these habitats.

So if you venture away from the shorelines into nearby forests, state parks, and wildlife areas, you’re bound to see some of the following animals:

• Eastern screech owls and common snapping turtles near Lake Winnebago
• Moose and black bears in the North Shore Highlands of Lake Superior
• Foxes, deer, and garter snakes in Lakeshore State Park off the coast of Lake Michigan
• Bald eagles and wild turkeys near Lake Petenwell
• Ducks, geese, and otters in Lake Wisconsin.

Be cautious where predator animals roam and respect wildlife habitats by keeping them trash-free.

Wisconsin lakes also have some of the best spots for birdwatching, including the 2,000 lakes in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

Additionally, fishing in Wisconsin is a huge draw for anglers all over the country.

3. World-Class Fishing

There are two big reasons that anglers flock to Wisconsin’s lakes for some of the best fishing in the U.S. First, Wisconsin lakes provide a thriving ecosystem for a wide variety of fish species, including trophy fish like musky. Second, with more than 15,000 lakes in the state, there is an abundance of fish to go around!

Wisconsin lakes are also famous for crappies, walleye, bass, sturgeon, perch, and trout. In addition, the Wisconsin ice-fishing is also topnotch on many lakes across the state.

Here’s a quick list of five of the best fishing lakes Wisconsin has to offer. We’ve also noted some of the common fish species each lake provides:

• Lake Wisconson: Walleye, black crappies, largemouth bass, yellow perch
• Lake Chippewa: Bass, catfish, perch, northern pike
• Pelican Lake: Walleye, crappie, musky, sunfish
• Lake DuBay: White crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, northern pike
• Big Saint Germain Lake: Musky, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass.

4. Wonderful Lakes for Swimming

There is no doubt that Wisconsin has some of the best lakes in the United States for swimming. Wisconsin lakes offer loads of public beaches with clean water and plenty of sandy space for sunbathing.

The Great Lakes bordering Wisconsin offer fabulous swim beaches, as do many smaller lakes around the state.

Here’s a small sampling of lakes with swim beaches in Wisconsin to enjoy with your swim goggles and floaties in tow:

• Geneva Lake (Walworth County)
• Mirror Lake (Sauk County)
• Castle Rock Lake (Between Adams and Juneau Counties)
• Lake Winnebago (Spans across Calumet, Winnebago, and Fond du Loc counties)
• Black Oak Lake (Vilas County).

Swimming isn’t the only water recreation available at Wisconsin lakes. Keep reading to discover some of the best lakes for boating, kayaking, and more.

5. Fun Water Recreation Activities

Do you need more from your Wisconsin beach time than swimming and sunbathing? You’re in luck because the lakes here are perfect for boating and waterskiing. Plus, Wisconsin has some fun water parks to enjoy with kids.

Check out our lists below for a sample of Wisconsin’s many great boating lakes, plus a few popular water parks on or near lakes too.

Three Wisconsin Lakes for Boating and Waterskiing:

• Lake Winnebago: With about 130,000 acres of water, Lake Winnebago has plenty of lake surface area for boating, sailing, jet-skiing, and water skiing.
• Minocqua Lake: Though much smaller at 1,360 acres, Minocqua Lake is famous for its excellent boating and waterskiing. It also surrounds the town of Minocqua and sits close to many other lakes and other waterways in the area.
• Lower Eagle River Chain of Lakes: Eagle River is connected to a chain of 10 lakes across a 14-mile stretch. “The Chain of Lakes” includes Rainbow Lake, one of the most popular in the area for boating and waterskiing. But many lakes here have boat ramps and plenty of open water.

Three Wisconsin Water Parks Near Lakes:

• Land of Natura (in Wisconsin Dells, near manmade Lake Delton)
• Noah’s Ark Waterpark (also in Wisconsin Dells)
• Pollock Community Water Park (in OshKosh, near Lake Winnebago).

But playing in the water isn’t the only way to enjoy Wisconsin lakes. You can dry off while walking, hiking, or biking the scenic trails.

6. Many Scenic Trails to Explore

Wisconsin has some of the best lake trails in the country, with scenic views galore. Whether taking in the plants and wildlife or just exercising in the sunshine, hundreds of trails are open to the public.

Want some Wisconsin trail recommendations? The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is a great source for trail details. In addition, here are a few trails that get great visitor reviews:

• West Bluff Trail and Devil’s Lake: A moderately-challenging 4.8-mile hike around Devil’s Lake.
• Ishnala and Echo Rock Trail Loop: An easy 3.1-mile walk near Mirror Lake in Mirror Lake State Park.
• Houghton Falls Trail: An easy 1.3-mile hike near Lake Superior at the Houghton Falls Nature Preserve.
• Oak Leaf Trail: A moderately-challenging 3.1-mile trail in Grant Park near Lake Michigan.

7. Environmental Preservation

Wisconsin takes pride in preserving its lake habitats. Their efforts include:

• Maintaining or improving water quality
• Minimizing pollution
• Managing invasive species.

Organizations like Wisconsin Lakes offer advocacy training programs for individuals and other lake organizations that prioritize lake habitat conservation. They also partner with lake districts to educate communities, host fun events and conferences, and help with conservation efforts across the state.

Some Wisconsin lakes receive watershed protection from local land trusts, like the Green Lake Conservancy. Their protection extends from the lake and shoreline into the surrounding forests and prairies.

Wisconsin Is Famous for Its Lake Choices and Experiences

Wisconsin’s lakes are undeniably some of the best in the United States. And there are so many lake options across the state that you’re sure to find more than one that suits your lake-life desires. So enjoy all Wisconsin lakes offer, from beaches to trails and beyond.

Also, check out Wisconsin’s lake conservation initiatives if you’d like to join the efforts to keep these habitats clean and safe for generations to come.

Summary of 7 Reasons Wisconsin Has the Best Lakes in the United States

Here’s a recap of why Wisconsin has some of the country’s top lakes.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Sarah Quintans/Shutterstock.com