Three Lakes Chain of Lakes

   The Three Lakes Chain anchors the south end of the Eagle River–Three Lakes system, a connected complex of 28 lakes and about 174 miles of shoreline that stretches from just southeast of town all the way north to Eagle River. The Three Lakes portion includes roughly 20 interconnected lakes, from the Burnt Rollways Reservoir north through waters like Big Lake, Big Stone, Laurel, and Townline, creating a long, navigable corridor of bays, channels, and island‑studded basins framed by Nicolet National Forest and classic cabin shorelines. On the water, this chain is known for variety. It is often described as one of the best musky and walleye destinations in the Northwoods, with anglers also finding strong populations of perch, crappie, bluegill, bass, and northern pike across the different basins. Lakes range from smaller, more intimate waters of just over 100 acres up to larger bodies approaching 1,000 acres, so you can pick between quiet back bays, gentle river stretches, and broad, open runs suited to trolling passes, casting rock bars, or working weed edges for gamefish. The interconnected layout lets boaters move easily from lake to lake over the course of a day, adjusting to wind, crowds, or conditions without ever leaving the water. Recreation goes well beyond fishing. The chain supports water‑skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, paddling, and long pontoon cruises, with public landings and resorts scattered along many of the lakes to make access straightforward for visitors. From late spring into fall, the historic Burnt Rollways boat hoist at the north end of the Three Lakes Chain lifts boats over into Cranberry Lake on the Eagle River Chain, allowing cruisers to explore all 28 connected lakes as one continuous route without a trailer. That combination of forested setting, extensive navigable water, and seamless connection to Eagle River is what gives Three Lakes its reputation as the cozy, quieter gateway to the world’s largest inland chain of freshwater lakes.