Lake Chains in Northern WI:
Eagle River
The Eagle River Chain starts north of Eagle River and eventually connects with the Three Lakes Chain to form the largest inland chain of lakes in the world. Since it is a river-fed chain the water doesn't have great clarity, but it is beautiful to look at and it has really good fishing. The chain is very popular so there is a lot of activity on it most of the year.
Three Lakes
The Three Lakes Chain is the biggest of all the chains in Northern Wisconsin, it consists of 20 lakes. The chain also connects to the Eagle River Chain of Lakes and combined they are the largest inland chain of lakes in the world. The water clarity on the chain ranges from murky to moderately clear. Since the chain sees a lot of runoff from Tamarack swamps, you will find that the water has a red hue to it.
Minocqua
The Minocqua Chain is one of the most popular chains in the Northwoods. The water is really clear and the location is great. The lakes on this chain are some of the nicest around. The one negative you get with the Minocqua Chain (well, for some people it is a negative), is that it is really popular, and therefore, quite busy.
Manitowish Waters
The Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes is a big, nine lake, four thousand acre chain that is pretty spread out. The chain has clean water and some gorgeous woods surrounding the water. The chain sees quite a bit of traffic, but feels far less busy than the Eagle River/Three Lakes or Minocqua chains.
Fence Lake
The Fence Lake Chain is a huge body of water, clocking in at almost eight thousand acres. This seven lake chain has clear water and good fishing. The chain surrounds the town of Lac Du Flambeau and isn't too far of a drive from Minocqua so the location is quite desirable.
Presque Isle
The Presque Isle Chain is a three lake chain southwest of Presque Isle. Presque Isle Lake makes up the majority of the water on the chain and it is a great lake. It's big, the woods surrounding the lake is gorgeous and the water is extremely clear. Van Vliet Lake and Averill Lake are also really pretty, but the water is less clear.
High/Fishtrap
The High Lake / Fishtrap Lake Chain is basically a two lake chain. Rush Lake connects the two, but it is pretty much just a channel and some weeds. The chain is just a little bit northeast of Boulder Junction and has clear water. The chain is known to have good fishing.
Sugar Camp
The Sugar Camp Chain of Lakes is a five lake chain located between Eagle River and St. Germain. Dam Lake and Sand Lake are the two biggest lakes on the chain and see the most activity. This chain is quieter than the bigger/more popular chains.
Rhinelander
The Rhinelander Chain of Lakes is located on the north side of Rhinelander. If you are looking to be close to Rhinelander, but still enjoy living on a lake it is a good chain to look at. The lakes are part of the Wisconsin River so the water is not super clear.
Cisco
The Cisco Chain is mostly in Michigan but there are a couple of lakes and a fair amount of water in Wisconsin too. The Chain is far enough north that it sees a lot less activity than other big chains. The lots on the chain are generally bigger and less expensive than you would find further south.
Ballard
The Ballard Chain is a small three lake chain just north of Star Lake. There aren't too many homes on the lakes, but the area is nice. The closest bigger town is St. Germain which is located about 20 minutes south.
Moen
The Moen Chain is a stretched out chain east of Rhinelander. The water is cloudy, but the chain isn't real busy and most of it offers convenient access to town. Fourth and Fifth Lakes are a bit further from town, but that makes them a little quieter.
Sugarbush
A small three lake chain consisting of Lower, Middle, and Upper Sugarbush Lakes. The chain is located about 5 miles north of Lac Du Flambeau just off Hwy 47. As far as chains go, Sugarbush is really quiet because the more popular Fence Lake Chain is just a little bit south.
Winchester
The Winchester Chain of Lakes is in the northwestern section of Vilas County. The chain has cloudy water and is a fair distance from the closest towns. The lakes on the chain are North and South Turtle Lakes as well as Rock Lake.
| Lake Name | Access | Acres | Type | Distance | Clarity | Chain | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballard Lake | Public | 503 | Drainage | 20 min | 10' | 12.2' | Ballard |
| Irving Lake | Public | 419 | Drainage | 27 min | 4' | 6.6' | Ballard |
| White Birch Lake | Public | 113 | Drainage | 16 min | 12' | 13.8' | Ballard |
| Big Lake (L) | Public | 771 | Drainage | 19 min | 13' | 4.0' | Cisco |
| Mamie Lake | Public | 337 | Drainage | 15 min | 10' | 4.0' | Cisco |
| West Bay Lake | Public | 368 | Drainage | 24 min | 12' | 9.9' | Cisco |
| Catfish Lake | Public | 978 | Drainage | 8 min | 12' | 5.6' | Eagle River |
| Cranberry Lake | Public | 924 | Drainage | 10 min | 9' | 5.0' | Eagle River |
| Duck Lake | Public | 106 | Drainage | 4 min | 7' | 4.8' | Eagle River |
| Eagle Lake | Public | 572 | Drainage | 7 min | 16' | 5.1' | Eagle River |
| Eagle River | Public | 5 | None | 4 min | 5' | None' | Eagle River |
| Lynx Lake (ER) | Public | 31 | Drainage | 5 min | 8' | 4.9' | Eagle River |
| Otter Lake | Public | 174 | Drainage | 9 min | 12' | 5.0' | Eagle River |
| Scattering Rice Lake | Public | 263 | Drainage | 10 min | 8' | 5.2' | Eagle River |
| Voyageur Lake | Public | 134 | Drainage | 6 min | 7' | 4.7' | Eagle River |
| Watersmeet Lake | Public | 77 | Drainage | 7 min | 5' | 4.0' | Eagle River |
| Yellow Birch Lake | Public | 192 | Drainage | 5 min | 11' | 5.2' | Eagle River |
| Crawling Stone Lake | Public | 1483 | Drainage | 7 min | 31' | 17.0' | Fence Lake |
| Fence Lake | Public | 3483 | Drainage | 18 min | 37' | 22.0' | Fence Lake |
| Flambeau Lake | Public | 1166 | Drainage | 7 min | 28' | 13.2' | Fence Lake |
| Little Crawling Stone | Public | 113 | Drainage | 9 min | 18' | 17.5' | Fence Lake |
| Long Interlaken Lake | Public | 380 | Drainage | 4 min | 20' | 14.8' | Fence Lake |
| Moss Lake | Public | 185 | Seepage | 3 min | 15' | 13.0' | Fence Lake |
| Pokegama Lake | Public | 1041 | Drainage | 5 min | 20' | 14.0' | Fence Lake |
| Fishtrap Lake | Public | 339 | Drainage | 11 min | 18' | 11.0' | High/Fishtrap |
| High Lake | Public | 741 | Drainage | 16 min | 13' | 9.6' | High/Fishtrap |
| Rush Lake | Public | 43 | Drainage | 16 min | 4' | 7.0' | High/Fishtrap |
| Alder Lake | Public | 264 | Drainage | 10 min | 16' | 8.8' | Manitowish Waters |
| Clear Lake | Public | 515 | Spring | 10 min | 16' | 10.2' | Manitowish Waters |
| Fawn Lake | Public | 74 | Drainage | 14 min | 7' | 9.0' | Manitowish Waters |
| Island Lake | Public | 1023 | Drainage | 11 min | 13' | 9.1' | Manitowish Waters |
| Little Star Lake | Public | 244 | Drainage | 5 min | 31' | 19.2' | Manitowish Waters |
| Manitowish Lake | Public | 506 | Drainage | 6 min | 23' | 16.0' | Manitowish Waters |
| Rest Lake | Public | 655 | Drainage | 2 min | 18' | 11.1' | Manitowish Waters |
| Spider Lake | Public | 272 | Drainage | 7 min | 20' | 11.1' | Manitowish Waters |
| Stone Lake | Public | 138 | Drainage | 14 min | 12' | 11.1' | Manitowish Waters |
| Wild Rice Lake | Public | 384 | Drainage | 29 min | 11' | 6.8' | Manitowish Waters |
| Kawaguesaga Lake | Public | 700 | Drainage | 9 min | 18' | 8.6' | Minocqua |
| Mid Lake | Public | 221 | Spring | 12 min | 6' | 5.9' | Minocqua |
| Minocqua Lake | Public | 1339 | Drainage | 4 min | 23' | 11.0' | Minocqua |
| Minocqua Thoroughfare | Public | 34 | Drainage | 5 min | 3' | 7.0' | Minocqua |
| Tomahawk Lake | Public | 3462 | Drainage | 11 min | 33' | 18.0' | Minocqua |
| Fifth Lake | Public | 238 | Drainage | 25 min | 6' | 7.4' | Moen |
| Fourth Lake | Public | 253 | Drainage | 18 min | 7' | 8.0' | Moen |
| Moen Lake | Public | 461 | Drainage | 10 min | 8' | 9.9' | Moen |
| Second Lake | Public | 111 | Drainage | 14 min | 5' | 8.3' | Moen |
| Third Lake | Public | 103 | Drainage | 13 min | 6' | 8.7' | Moen |
| Presque Isle Lake | Public | 1165 | Drainage | 22 min | 37' | 24.0' | Presque Isle |
| Van Vliet Lake | Public | 230 | Spring | 24 min | 9' | 4.3' | Presque Isle |
| Bass Lake(R) | Public | 184 | Drainage | 14 min | 6' | 6.0' | Rhinelander |
| Boom Lake | Public | 437 | Drainage | 5 min | 11' | 4.8' | Rhinelander |
| Lake Creek | Public | 172 | Drainage | 6 min | 5' | 6.0' | Rhinelander |
| Rhinelander Flowage | Public | 1372 | Drainage | 9 min | 5' | 6.0' | Rhinelander |
| Thunder Lake | Public | 172 | Drainage | 7 min | 6' | 7.8' | Rhinelander |
| Lower Sugarbush Lake | Public | 180 | Drainage | 9 min | 23' | 10.8' | Sugarbush |
| Middle Sugarbush Lake | Public | 254 | Drainage | 10 min | 18' | 10.5' | Sugarbush |
| Upper Sugarbush Lake | Semi-Private | 141 | Drainage | 4 min | 17' | None' | Sugarbush |
| Chain Lake | Public | 201 | Drainage | 17 min | 12' | 9.9' | Sugar Camp |
| Dam Lake | Public | 732 | Drainage | 9 min | 18' | 7.4' | Sugar Camp |
| Echo Lake | Public | 120 | Drainage | 19 min | 8' | 4.0' | Sugar Camp |
| Sand Lake | Public | 540 | Drainage | 18 min | 13' | 5.0' | Sugar Camp |
| Stone Lake (SG) | Public | 178 | Drainage | 26 min | 9' | 9.2' | Sugar Camp |
| Big Fork Lake | Public | 663 | Drainage | 17 min | 17' | 3.2' | Three Lakes |
| Big Lake | Public | 865 | Drainage | 10 min | 13' | 4.8' | Three Lakes |
| Big Stone Lake | Public | 607 | Drainage | 5 min | 21' | 3.5' | Three Lakes |
| Crystal Lake | Public | 116 | Drainage | 6 min | 5' | 4.2' | Three Lakes |
| Deer Lake | Public | 177 | Drainage | 7 min | 10' | 3.2' | Three Lakes |
| Dog Lake | Public | 202 | Drainage | 10 min | 8' | 3.7' | Three Lakes |
| Fourmile Lake | Public | 210 | Drainage | 17 min | 12' | 2.5' | Three Lakes |
| Island Lake (3L) | Public | 305 | Drainage | 7 min | 11' | 6.3' | Three Lakes |
| Laurel Lake | Public | 249 | Drainage | 5 min | 8' | 4.2' | Three Lakes |
| Little Fork Lake | Public | 336 | Drainage | 11 min | 16' | 4.2' | Three Lakes |
| Long Lake | Public | 620 | Drainage | 13 min | 13' | 6.1' | Three Lakes |
| Medicine Lake | Public | 396 | Drainage | 5 min | 22' | 3.2' | Three Lakes |
| Planting Ground Lake | Public | 1010 | Drainage | 6 min | 16' | 6.1' | Three Lakes |
| Range Line Lake (3L) | Public | 123 | Drainage | 5 min | 14' | 3.2' | Three Lakes |
| Round Lake | Public | 150 | Drainage | 13 min | 8' | 4.5' | Three Lakes |
| Townline Lake (3L) | Public | 152 | Drainage | 4 min | 12' | 3.2' | Three Lakes |
| Virgin Lake | Public | 276 | Drainage | 9 min | 13' | 8.8' | Three Lakes |
| Whitefish Lake (3L) | Public | 199 | Drainage | 13 min | 16' | 8.0' | Three Lakes |
| North Turtle Lake | Public | 359 | Drainage | 14 min | 21' | 8.4' | Winchester |
| Rock Lake | Public | 120 | Seepage | 22 min | 8' | 4.5' | Winchester |
| South Turtle Lake | Public | 466 | Drainage | 13 min | 15' | 4.8' | Winchester |
