Lake Owen, Wisconsin, USA

Nestled in the heart of Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Drummond, Wisconsin, 1,323-acre Lake Owen stretches for nine miles through scenic rolling hills and towing pines. A great place to camp, fish and have fun, the lake features public boat ramps, sandy beaches and deep, crystal clear water for recreation and relaxation. With a maximum depth of 95 feet, Lake Owen is well known for its fishing. Walleye,…
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    • All About Lake Owen, WI

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Wisconsin - Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI -

    Nestled in the heart of Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Drummond, Wisconsin, 1,323-acre Lake Owen stretches for nine miles through scenic rolling hills and towing pines. A great place to camp, fish and have fun, the lake features public boat ramps, sandy beaches and deep, crystal clear water for recreation and relaxation.

    With a maximum depth of 95 feet, Lake Owen is well known for its fishing. Walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, perch, crappie, and bluegill make their home in the water. If you don’t have a boat, canoe and paddle boat rentals are available from several of the campgrounds on the lake. A four-foot, concrete, water level control dam is located on the outlet of the lake. This dam was built in 1938 to replace an existing rock-filled dam that caused problems for landowners whenever the water level fluctuated.

    For a summer picnic or barbecue, the Lake Owen Picnic Grounds are on the northern end of the western branch of the lake and include several picnic tables and an enclosed facility with a cooking fireplace. There are two public campgrounds on the lake with campsites for both RV trailers and tent camping in addition to several premiere resorts, cabins and lodges. Vacation rentals of all kinds can be found throughout the National Forest as well as real estate for sale. Camping is allowed anywhere in the National Forest as long as you are at least 50 feet from any trail or water edge and not on private property.

    One of the biggest attractions of Lake Owen is its location within the 850,000-acre Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest where recreational opportunities abound. Over 365 miles of trails are maintained for snowmobiliers and off road vehicles and 230 miles of trails have been developed for non-motorized use including two national scenic trails and one national recreation trail. The nearby Rainbow Lake and Porcupine Lake Wilderness areas offer backpackers and hikers 11,000 rugged acres of pristine nature. In the heart of the forest is an extensive network of trails that are perfect for horseback riding. Wildlife abounds in the forest and it is not uncommon to hear the call of loons nesting on area lakes. For hunters, the surrounding forest has designated areas that are open for deer, bear, grouse, duck hunting.

    Located between the cities of Drummond and Cable in Bayfield County, guests of Lake Owen are not far from restaurants, lodging, historical museums, and convenience stores to stock up on camping, fishing and hunting supplies. Golfers will find several golf courses in Cable and in the town of Hayward, south of Cable. The American Birkebeiner Trail, one of the most significant and well known recreational trails in the country, can be accessed just south of Cable. In the winter the trail is groomed for cross country skiing.

    When the snow begins to fall, winter activities on Lake Owen keep the area busy. Snowmobile enthusiasts will discover an outstanding network of groomed trails. Cross country ski trails offer a variety of challenges for both beginners and experienced skiers. Just one mile south of Drummond, the Drummond Ski Trails offer hours of cross country skiing. Ice fishing is a favorite pastime of residents as well as vacationers in the area. Snowshoe trails can also be found throughout the forest. Snowshoeing is quickly becoming a sport every member of the family can enjoy. The last Saturday in February, winter sports fans flock to the Cable area for the American Birkebeiner and Kortelopet Cross Country ski races. The Birkebeiner Trail takes the racers on a challenging 51K journey from Cable to downtown Hayward. Over 8,000 skiers participate in the area’s largest cross country ski event.

    Whether you are looking for great fishing, hunting, swimming, snowmobiling, camping, cross country skiing or just hiking in the woods, you will find it all at Lake Owen. Enjoy relaxing by the water, watching wildlife, listening to the call of the loons and the peacefulness of the Chequamegon National Forest. With all that Lake Owen and the surrounding communities have to offer, the sparkling lake is truly a vacation destination for the entire family.

    Things to Do at Lake Owen

    These are some activities in the Lake Owen, WI area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Snowmobiling
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • National Forest
    • Museum

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Owen?

    Lake Owen has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Walleye
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake Owen

    If you’re considering a Lake Owen lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Lake Owen Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Owen lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lake Owen Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: U.S. Forest Service

    Surface Area: 1,323 acres

    Shoreline Length: 24 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,339 feet

    Average Depth: 27 feet

    Maximum Depth: 95 feet

    Water Volume: 36,250 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1938

    Trophic State: Oligotrophic

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