Highest elevation lakes & reservoirs in Wisconsin by altitude
While lake levels can flucuate frequently based on several circumstances, the altitude/elevation of a lake is based on its normal water level, measured by the lake’s surface distance above sea level. For a reservoir, this water level is also known as “full pond” or “full pool”.Low lake levels can occur due to deliberate seasonal draw downs for irrigation or impending snow melt, reduced water inflows, drought and evaporation, residential or commercial water demands, and hydropower generation. Some lakes’ minimum and maximum elevations are virtually the same. Lakes that generate hydropower may vary by several feet – according to power demand. Lakes whose primary purpose is to prevent flooding can seasonally vary by 100 feet or more. When some lakes reach their minimum elevation, their boat ramps may not be long enough to permit boat access – and boats docked on shallow parts of the lake may end up on dry ground. In those cases, kayakers and shore-based anglers may be among the few happy recreational users of the lake.
A lake’s highest water level, measured by the lake’s surface distance above sea level, that can occur during flooding. A lake’s highest possible maximum elevation is usually the top of the lake’s dam or spillway. At lakes that include residential development, government regulations usually forbid the construction of homes below a lake’s maximum elevation.
You can find many of the world’s highest-elevated lakes on LakeLubbers. Lakes with the lowest elevations (known by LakeLubbers) are shown on the final page of that list. Note: For some lakes, "Altitude/Elevation" data is unknown, so this table may display fewer lakes than the total 128 articles we have published for Wisconsin lakes.
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Below are lakes within USA > US Midwest Region > Wisconsin > Compared by highest altitude/elevation in feet. This list does not represent all lakes in Wisconsin, only the 128 Wisconsin lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name  |
Elevation in feet |
Lake description |
|---|---|---|
| Lac Vieux Desert, MI/WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, Michigan, US Midwest Region, USA, Upper Peninsula Region, MI, Wisconsin) |
1,685 ft | Also known as Lac Vieux Lake Lac Vieux Desert is the French name for this 4,260-acre lake of Michigan and Wisconsin. The name was given by French fur trappers who were among the f … |
| Star Lake, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,672 ft | Shaped more like a horseshoe than a star, Star Lake is a largely undeveloped 1,206-acre lake 10 miles north of Saint Germain in Vilas County, Wisconsi … |
| Eagle River Chain of Lakes, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,625 ft | Also known as Cranberry Lake, Catfish Lake, Voyageur Lake, Eagle Lake, Scattering Rice Lake, Otter Lake, Lynx Lake, Duck Lake, Yellow Birch Lake, Watersmeet Lake. The Eagle River Chain of Lakes in far northeastern Wisconsin is known to fishermen as prime Musky water, but the lakes are also a prime vacation desti … |
| Otter Lake WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,625 ft | Also known as Eagle River Chain of Lakes Otter Lake is one of more than 1,300 lakes, 73 rivers and streams, and a half million acres of forest found within northeastern Wisconsin’s Vilas Coun … |
| Pelican Lake, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,592 ft | Oneida County in Wisconsin’s Northwoods has over a thousand lakes and over 68,000 acres of water making it one of the largest concentrations of water … |
| Gile Flowage, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,495 ft | Tucked away in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, Gile Flowage is a lovely wilderness getaway. With its undeveloped shoreline and all the amenities of nearby Hur … |
| Lake Nokomis, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,463 ft | It is no accident that Oneida County’s motto is “Where nature lingered longer.” Wisconsin’s Northwoods are truly inspiring. With over a thousand lakes … |
| Round Lake, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,347 ft | Also known as Hayward Lakes Nestled in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, Round Lake in Sawyer County is a fantastic place to boat and fish. Part of the Hayward Lakes that include Grindston … |
| Lake Chippewa, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,313 ft | Also known as Chippewa Flowage, Hayward Lakes Tucked away in Sawyer County in northwest Wisconsin, Lake Chippewa is a rare undeveloped paradise. Called the “Big Chip,” Lake Chippewa is one of Wisc … |
| Grindstone Lake, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,289 ft | Also known as Hayward Lakes Named for the Chippewa word “gajigwanabikokag” meaning grindstone, Grindstone Lake has beautiful, clean water and some exceptionally large fish. Near … |
| Lac Courte Oreilles, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,288 ft | Also known as Hayward Lakes Known for its “really big muskie,” Lac Courte Oreilles near Hayward in Sawyer County has been a popular recreation spot with anglers for well over a h … |
| Shell Lake, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,222 ft | Some of Wisconsin’s best fishing is in the clean, clear water of beautiful Shell Lake. Tucked away in rural northwest Wisconsin, Shell Lake and the ci … |