We may not officially have the title of Land of 10,000 Lakes like our neighbors, but there are thousands of lakes in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin lakes range from little ponds that can be waded across to huge inland waters that you could spend all day exploring with a boat. There's one Wisconsin lake that's unlike any other, though. This is allegedly a lake with no bottom! Of course, it actually does have a bottom, but it is the deepest lake in Wisconsin. Wazee Lake is a stunning spot that you absolutely must see for yourself.
Wazee Lake is located east of Black River Falls, in the Jackson County town of Brockway.
It's a short drive off Interstate 94, making it an easy day trip if you’re traveling between Madison, which is 134 miles south of here, and Eau Claire, which is 58 miles to the north.
The lake is located in the middle of the 1,300-acre Wazee Lake Recreation Area.
The Wazee Lake Recreation Area has some nine miles of hiking trails and 12 rustic campsites, and is visited by folks from all over the state and further afield for its scenic beauty. But the lake is the biggest draw here, by far, and it's easy to see why this is one of the most popular lakes in Wisconsin.
At a glance, the lake doesn’t seem that unusual.
It has a beautiful sand beach, but it’s not a huge lake. The surface covers just 146 acres. But the lake holds a secret.
Wazee Lake is actually a whopping 355 feet deep.
It’s the deepest inland lake in Wisconsin and the water is incredibly clear. But it’s not so clear that you can stare down and see the deepest depths, so it appears to be a lake with no bottom.
Lake Wazee is not a natural lake. There was once an enormous taconite mine here that operated from the 1960s until the 1980s.
About 850,000 tons of taconite pellets were removed each year for steel production, one of many Wisconsin industries, and it created a gigantic hole in the earth.
When the mine closed in 1983, the pumps were shut off, and the hole flooded, forming the lake.
It’s now a popular place for relaxing and a big draw for scuba divers because the lake is ideal for training that requires deeper depths. Divers don’t need a boat to dive here. About 1,000 divers come to Lake Wazee every year!
It is also a popular destination for kayaking. With crystalline waters and rocky shoreline, it is easily one of the coolest kayaking destinations we've ever experienced.
If you're planning on heading out to the lake, make sure to apply sunscreen for protection! We recommend Sun Bum from REI.
Learn more about the Wazee Lake Recreation Area, including admission fees, scuba fees, and camping fees on the Jackson County website. The county claims the lake is the clearest lake in Wisconsin – here’s another amazing lake that also claims the title.
Have you ever been to this lake with no bottom in Wisconsin? If so, what did you think about it? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section!
If you’re still in the mood for more Wisconsin outdoor adventures, take a look at this video:
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