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 |
---|---|---|
Eau Claire Lakes, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,132 ft | Also known as Upper Eau Claire Lake, Middle Eau Claire Lake, Lower Eau Claire Lake Among Wisconsin’s more than 15,000 lakes is the Eau Claire Lakes Chain, made up of three larger lakes and eight spring-fed smaller ponds. The Chain in … |
Lake DuBay, WI (Central Sands Prairie Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,125 ft | Also known as DuBay Flowage Located in central Wisconsin near Stevens Point, Lake DuBay is a great place to boat, fish and explore. Lake DuBay straddles Portage and Marathon Coun … |
Lake Petenwell, WI (Central Sands Prairie Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
924 ft | Thirty miles north of the famous Wisconsin Dells near Monroe Center, Lake Petenwell is a hidden treasure. The largest manmade inland lake in the state … |
Lake Wissota, WI (Mississippi-Chippewa Rivers Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
897 ft | Also known as Wissota Lake If you are a Titanic (the movie) fan, you might remember Jack Dawson saying that he grew up in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. He also mentioned that he us … |
Castle Rock Lake, WI (Central Sands Prairie Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
894 ft | Also known as Castle Rock Flowage Castle Rock Lake offers what lake lovers want: a lot of water, an abundance of fish, and countless beautiful views. Castle Rock one of Wisconsin’s lar … |
Lake Mendota, WI (Southern Savanna Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
853 ft | Also known as Yahara Chain of Lakes Sometimes called the “City of 4 Lakes,” Madison in Dane County is the capital of Wisconsin and its second largest city. Its “Lake, City, Lake” tradema … |
Lake Monona, WI (Southern Savanna Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
848 ft | Also known as Yahara Chain of Lakes Originally called “Tchee-ho-bo-kee-xa-te-la” or Teepee Lake by the Winnebago Indians who lived in the area, Lake Monona is one of the lakes bordering … |
Lake Waubesa, WI (Southern Savanna Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
847 ft | Also known as Yahara Chain of Lakes Dane County in south central Wisconsin has plenty of water for recreation. There are 37 lakes and 475 miles of streams and rivers including 14 miles o … |
Lake Kegonsa, WI (Southern Savanna Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
845 ft | Also known as Yahara Chain of Lakes Lake Kegonsa gets its name from “Ke-go-e,” the Chippewa word for fish, and it has been called the “Lake of Many Fishes.” The lake is in Dane County ne … |
Elizabeth Lake, IL/WI (Illinois, Lake Michigan Region, WI, Northern Illinois, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
794 ft | Also known as Lake Elizabeth, Twin Lakes Lake Elizabeth or Elizabeth Lake, as it is more commonly known, has been a vacation getaway for over 150 years. Located in the Northern Region of Illi … |
Lake Koshkonong, WI (Southern Savanna Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
780 ft | Sprawled across southern Wisconsin, just a few miles down the Rock River from Fort Atkinson, Lake Koshkonong is a fantastic place to boat and fish. Th … |
Lake Winnebago, WI (Central Sands Prairie Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
749 ft | American white pelicans skim across the surface of Lake Winnebago, fishing alongside the anglers below. Birds and fishermen alike flock to the beautif … |