Sugar Camp Chain of Lakes

   The Sugar Camp Chain of Lakes is a five‑lake system in Oneida County located between Eagle River and St. Germain, centered around Dam Lake, Sand Lake, Stone Lake, Echo Lake, and Chain Lake. The chain stretches roughly east–west across a mix of forest, wetlands, and cabin country near the town of Sugar Camp, giving boaters a connected route that feels more intimate than the larger headline chains but still offers plenty of room to roam on its bigger basins. On the water, Dam Lake and Sand Lake are the standouts. Dam Lake, described as the gateway from the Sugar Camp Chain into the Rainbow Flowage and broader Wisconsin River corridor, offers broad open water well suited to trolling passes, cruising, and family boating days. Sand Lake, at roughly 540–550 acres, and Sugar Camp Lake, at about 519 acres, provide clear water, moderate depths, and a good mix of panfish, bass, northern pike, and the occasional walleye or musky, while smaller Echo, Stone, and Chain lakes add sheltered coves and shallower, more protected fishing and paddling water. Together, the five lakes give anglers and boaters a range of options without the heavy traffic found on some larger regional chains. The chain’s setting is classic Northwoods: wooded shorelines, scattered year‑round homes and cabins, and a handful of resorts and campgrounds that provide convenient access points without overwhelming the natural feel of the lakes. Public boat launches on multiple lakes make day‑tripping straightforward, and the location just off main corridors between Rhinelander, Eagle River, and St. Germain means visitors can easily combine time on the Sugar Camp Chain with trips to bigger nearby waters or trail systems. For many, it strikes a sweet spot between a true “back‑pocket” local chain and a destination lake group with enough size and variety to fill a full weekend on the water.