With over 15,000 lakes in Wisconsin, you can bet that no matter where in Wisconsin you live, you’re probably not far from one. When the weather begins to warm up and you’re looking for outdoor activities, these are some of the best lakes in Wisconsin to cool down on a hot summer day. They are great for fishing, boating, swimming, or just finding a shady spot along the shoreline to admire the view.

1. Lake Mendota - Dane County
Lake Mendota, Wisconsin 53706, USA
Richard Hurd/Flickr
One of the most scenic Wisconsin lakes, Lake Mendota is 9,781 acres and might just be the best place to catch a sunset in the state. Once you see it up close, get a bird's eye view from the observation tower at the Capitol Building in Madison.

Enjoy a flyover of Governors Island on Lake Mendota in Madison, WI in this video from Madison Apartment Living:
2. Lake Pepin - Pepin County
Lake Pepin, United States
Aaron Carlson/Flickr
This naturally occurring lake is located about 60 miles down from Minnesota - in fact, part of the lake borders Minnesota. One of the most beautiful lakes in Wisconsin, it's also the widest part of the Mississippi River.
3. Devil's Lake - Sauk County
Devils Lake, Wisconsin 53913, USA
Justin Meissen/Flickr
Devil's Lake was once a gorge, but that changed after the last ice age. Now, this 360-acre lake is one of the most popular lakes in Wisconsin. It is surrounded by 500-foot bluffs, which offer awesome views.
4. Lake Winnebago - Winnebago, Calumet, and Fond du Lac Counties
Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA
Jim Bauer/Flickr
Lake Winnebago is the largest lake in Wisconsin. It is a whopping 137,700-acre lake. It has an average depth of 15.5 feet, and there are many shallow reefs on the shoreline.
5. Green Lake - Green Lake County
Green Lake, WI 54941, USA
Ron Frazier/Flickr
This lake isn't the largest, but it is the deepest in the state. It plunges 237 feet. Green Lake is one of the top places for fishing, and there are several charming cabins nearby if you'd like to make a relaxing weekend of it!
6. Wazee Lake - Jackson County
Wazee Lake, Brockway, WI 54615, USA
jferrer / iStock via Getty Images Plus
This lake is 1300 acres. But people love it because it is the clearest in Wisconsin. Because of this, it is the most popular lake for scuba diving.

Wazee Lake is one of the best lakes in Wisconsin for swimming and diving since it is so deep. Take a look at this video from Dave's Awesome Adventures to see why it's one of our favorites:

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7. Lake Onalaska - La Crosse County
Lake Onalaska, Wisconsin, USA
I, Moonshyne/Wikimedia
This lake is twelve square miles, with a maximum depth of 40 feet. If you are fishing for panfish, this is your lake. As the sun sets on a day of fishing head to the Red Pines Bar & Grill right on the lake for a fish fry.
8. Lake Koshkonong - Jefferson County
Lake Koshkonong, WI, USA
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
This lake is 10,595 acres. It has a depth of only 7 feet, but don't let that deter you: this beautiful lake in Wisconsin is ideal for a day of splashing around with loved ones. But it's gorgeous and it's awesome if you are fishing for panfish or large mouth bass.
9. Lake Waubesa - Dane County
Lake Waubesa, Wisconsin, USA
Jordan Richmond/Flickr
This lake is 2074 acres in size. It is 38 feet deep at its deepest point. It's a fairly clear lake, although there are lots of algae particles. One of the biggest draws is the boardwalks that surround Lake Waubesa.
10. Shawano Lake - Shawano County
Shawano Lake, Wisconsin, USA
RoyalBroil/Wikimedia
This lake in Shawano, WI has an average depth of 9 feet and a maximum depth of around 42 feet. It is visited mostly for fishing, swimming, and boating. With 18 miles of shoreline, it's one of the best lakes in Wisconsin for beach bums to sit back and enjoy the view.
11. Rock Lake - Jefferson County
Rock Lake, Wisconsin 53551, USA
Joshua Mayer/Flickr
This lake has a cool shape, resembling a figure 8. The southern portion of the lake has a part of the Glacial Drumlin State Trail through it, which goes over an old railroad bridge. It also has underwater pyramids built by Aztalan natives.
12. Crystal Lake - Vilas County
Crystal Lake, WI, USA
Mark Abraham/Google Reviews
This might be one of the prettiest lakes in Wisconsin. It gets its name from the very clear waters, and on a beautiful day when the water is calm and there's no wind, the lake seems to turn into a picture-perfect reflection of the lush surroundings.
13. Lake Michigan - eastern Wisconsin
Lake Michigan, United States
Joshua Mayer/Flickr
We would be remiss if we didn't include Lake Michigan on this list. One of our favorite spots along this lake is North Beach. North Beach is located in Racine and has 2500 feet of open shoreline to explore.

Lake Michigan has incredible beaches and there are several places that you should add to your bucket list of best Wisconsin lakes. Check out a flyover of North Beach in Racine in this video from Nate Bruce:

With so many Wisconsin lakes to choose from this list barely scratches the surface. What would you select as the best lakes in Wisconsin? Share your favorites with a comment.

Once you’ve explored some of the best Wisconsin Lakes, grab your hiking boots and check out some of the most scenic hiking trails in Wisconsin.

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Best lakes in Wisconsin

Jackie Ann | July 07, 2022

What are the most beautiful beaches in Wisconsin?

Some of the most beautiful beaches in Wisconsin include:

 

It’s not summer until you’ve sunk your toes into the sand while slathering on sunscreen. When you’re on the hunt for a beautiful beach in Wisconsin to spend a hot summer day, there are several to choose from. Bear Beach offers beautiful views of Lake Superior and several stretches of shoreline to sprawl out on. If you’re up for an adventure, take the 16-mile ferry ride to Stockton Island where you’ll find a beautiful 1.5-mile beach that’s not just any beach… it’s a barking beach.

Can I camp right on the water in Wisconsin?

Some places to go camping on the water in Wisconsin include:

 

When the weather is nice, there’s nothing better than spending a few nights sleeping under the stars, surrounded by Wisconsin’s beautiful natural landscape. If you’re thinking about camping in Wisconsin, consider Goose Island, the largest county campground in the state. Another wonderful waterfront camping option is nestled within the Kettle Moraine State Forest, home to some of the most beautiful lakes in Wisconsin. The campground at Mauthe Lake is just gorgeous, with over 130 campsites, you can pretty much guarantee there’ll always be a campsite open for you.

Can I go scuba diving in Wisconsin?

You might be surprised to learn that Wisconsin is a great place for scuba diving. Wazee Lake is a great lake for scuba diving since it’s the deepest inland lake in the state. If you’ve never been scuba diving before, this is a great place to learn. The 146-acre lake is one of the best lakes in Wisconsin for outdoor adventure, and once you’ve finished scuba diving, sit back and relax along the sandy beach and admire the view.

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