6 Best Lakes in Wisconsin for Boating
Last Updated on July 21, 2024 by Boatsetter Team
With over 15,000 lakes, Wisconsin is a great state for boaters to get out on the water. Along the thousands of miles of shoreline, boaters can find breathtaking scenery, beautiful wildlife, and a variety of backdrops for water activities and outdoor adventure.
To help you narrow down your search, we have created a quick guide to six of the best lakes in Wisconsin for boating:
- Castle Rock Lake
- Eagle River Chain
- Green Lake
- Lake Geneva
- Lake DuBay
- Lake Winnebago
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1. Castle Rock Lake
Castle Rock Lake is the fourth largest lake in Wisconsin, covering 13,000 acres of water. This is a perfect destination for novice boaters, as Castle Rock Lake is relatively calm and doesn’t experience the same heavy boat traffic as some of Wisconsin’s larger lakes.
On the lake, boaters can try their hand at watersports like water skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing. Fishing is popular among Wisconsin’s waterways. On Castle Rock Lake, anglers typically reel in various walleye, northern pike, panfish, and other local species.
If you’re in the mood for some lakeside activities, the shoreline is dotted with public beaches, scenic parks, rock formations, and waterfront restaurants (with dockage available).
Location: Adams County
2. Eagle River Chain
Lake chains are one of Wisconsin’s unique attractions. We recommend exploring the Eagle River Chain of Lakes: a group of 28 interconnected lakes in Wisconsin’s Northwoods. The variety of bays, channels, and islands makes this a unique destination, ideal for new and experienced boaters.
Several public boat launches make getting your vessel out on the water easy, where you can enjoy recreational water sports and robust fishing. Anglers flock to the area for its clear waters and diverse underwater structure, home to a healthy musky, walleye, and bass population.
There are also 174 miles of shoreline to explore, including scenic hiking and biking trails.
Location: Vilas County
3. Green Lake
Green Lake is the deepest inland lake in Wisconsin and home to one of the state’s oldest resort communities. The lake is fed by a spring, which lends itself to exceptionally clean waters. Boaters can go scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, sailing, and kayaking on Green Lake.
Green Lake is a premiere fishing destination since the water is rich with oxygen, with species like walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, musky, crappie, bluegill, and lake sturgeon. Interested in setting your fishing excursion on Green Lake?
Parks and campgrounds line the shore, offering a stunning natural backdrop for lakeside activities.
Location: Green Lake County
READ MORE: 3 Best Lakes in the US for Boating
4. Lake Geneva
If you’re looking for a lake in Wisconsin surrounded by charm and laid-back attractions, try Lake Geneva. Lake Geneva is another spring-fed lake with clear, clean waters, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. In addition to recreational water sports and fishing, boaters can come ashore to sunbathe on the public beaches and hike along nearby trails.
Williams Bay and Fontana-on-Geneva Lake are quaint lakeside towns with waterfront restaurants, historic buildings, and shops. So, come ashore and escape into small-town life.
Location: Walworth County
5. Lake DuBay
Lake DuBay is a hidden gem for boaters in central Wisconsin. Covering 6,800 acres, there’s plenty of space to spread out and enjoy an active afternoon of water skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, and cruising.
The drop-offs and weed beds around Lake DuBay are home to various fish species, including walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. In addition to fish, the surrounding forests and wetlands provide habitat for bird species (including bald eagles and herons) and other wildlife, giving boaters plenty to take in.
Location: Marathon County
6. Lake Winnebago
As the largest inland lake in Wisconsin, Lake Winnebago is a hotspot for boaters. Covering over 137,000 acres of water, boaters can fan out for water sports and fishing. Anglers come from all over to try their luck at catching walleye, perch, and trophy-sized musky.
Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, and Neenah are three towns along Lake Winnebago’s shoreline. Each offers a range of dining, shopping, and entertainment. You can sunbathe on one of the public beaches, stretch your legs with a scenic hike, or immerse yourself in local history and culture with a visit to a museum or art gallery.
As a popular lake for boating in Wisconsin, Lake Winnebago can experience heavy boat traffic during peak season, so novice boaters should exercise caution.
Location: Winnebago, Fond du Lac, and Calumet Counties
Wisconsin offers some of the best boating experiences in the country, with its abundance of lakes, miles of shoreline, and natural beauty. Make the most of your Wisconsin boating adventure with a Boatsetter boat rental. Click here to book now!
Explore water-travel destinations! Find your next trip at Destination Guides and other boating resources here. Enhance your boating bucket list with these top-rated lakes throughout the United States.
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