In Northern Wisconsin, there’s a wild lake that beckons vacationers. Lake Chippewa Flowage is a lake in Sawyer County that’s fed by the East and West Forks of the Chippewa River. It’s an ideal place for boating, paddling, fishing, or just taking in the wild beauty of the Wisconsin Northwoods. Best of all, it’s a place that’s easily accessible to travelers and an easy drive from major cities. Here’s how to get the most out of a trip to the Lake Chippewa Flowage.
The first thing you’ll notice at the flowage is its size. It’s huge - much larger than most lakes in the Northwoods. It sprawls across nearly 15,000 acres and at the deepest point it’s 92-feet-deep.
The lake is surrounded by a vast area of public land – the 1.5 million-acre Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. It’s an area teeming with wildlife, including deer, wolves, otters, bears, and eagles.
The lake was created in 1923 when a dam on the Chippewa River flooded 11 natural lakes, nine rivers, and many streams.
Today, the flowage is home to 140 islands and more than 200 miles of shoreline. Most of the lake is undeveloped and it will always remain a wild place.
The flowage is very popular with anglers. It’s a word-class musky fishing area and it holds some enormous fish. There are six public boat landings so it’s easy to get on the water.
If you prefer to stay onshore, you’ll find plenty to do. There are expansive ATV and snowmobile trail systems surrounding the flowage – more than 600 miles of trails! Or, just build a campfire and take in the quiet beauty of the lakeshore.
Lake Chippewa Flowage is about three hours from Minneapolis or six hours from Chicago and it’s a popular weekend getaway spot. While the flowage is largely a wild place, there are plenty of resorts and campgrounds near or on the lake. See some lodging options here. Wisconsin has some lakes that are simply magical. Here are some more that nature lovers will want to explore.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
