Largest lakes & reservoirs in Wisconsin by acres
There is no widely-accepted minimum surface area that defines a lake. What LakeLubbers describes as a lake, you might call a pond. Acreage of a lake (or sometimes square kilometers) is most often measured at the top surface area when the lake is at normal elevation. The surface area can be considerably smaller or larger when lake levels are lower or higher than normal. North America’s Lake Superior is the world’s largest freshwater lake by this measure.The other measure of a lake’s size is the lake’s water volume. By that measure, the world’s largest freshwater lake is Lake Baikal in Siberia.
You can find many of the world’s largest lakes (acres) on LakeLubbers in the comparison table below. Note: For some lakes, "Largest Lakes - Acres" data is unknown or does not apply, so you may see 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 surface area in acres. This list does not represent all lakes in Wisconsin, only the 128 Wisconsin lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name  |
Surface area in acres |
Lake description |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Mendota, WI (Southern Savanna Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
9,842 ac | 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 … |
| Butte Des Morts Lake, WI (Central Sands Prairie Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
8,857 ac | Like all the Winnebago Pool lakes, Lake Butte des Morts is a fantastic place to fish and boat. Add all the amenities of the city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin … |
| Lake Onalaska, MN/WI (Minnesota, Mississippi-Chippewa Rivers Region, WI, Southern Minnesota, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
7,688 ac | Lake Onalaska is a popular year-round recreation destination on the upper Mississippi River, located between La Crosse, Wisconsin and La Crescent, Min … |
| Green Lake, WI (Central Sands Prairie Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
7,346 ac | Also known as Big Green Lake Green Lake, also known as Big Green Lake, is exceptional, and it has the statistics to prove it. It’s Wisconsin’s deepest natural inland lake: only La … |
| Lake Wisconsin, WI (Southern Savanna Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
7,197 ac | The bald eagle soars overhead its flight following the path of the Wisconsin River below. The river winds across the bottom of the state swelling grad … |
| Lake DuBay, WI (Central Sands Prairie Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
6,700 ac | 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 … |
| Beaver Dam Lake, WI (Southern Savanna Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
6,542 ac | Surrounded by south-central Wisconsin farmland, Beaver Dam Lake on the Beaver Dam River is a beautiful rural getaway. Conveniently located 40 miles no … |
| Shawano Lake, WI (Central Sands Prairie Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
6,178 ac | Tucked in the beautiful country of eastern Wisconsin, Shawano Lake is a hidden gem of beauty and splendor. This lake has an area of 6,178 acres, and h … |
| Lake Wissota, WI (Mississippi-Chippewa Rivers Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
6,023 ac | 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 … |
| Lake Geneva, WI (Southern Savanna Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
5,262 ac | Also known as Geneva Lake A laid-back atmosphere mixed with amazing activities make astoundingly beautiful Lake Geneva one of the most perfect relaxation and recreation destina … |
| Lake Puckaway, WI (Central Sands Prairie Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
5,039 ac | Also known as Puckaway Lake Lake Puckaway spans more than 5,000 acres in Green Lake County, part of Wisconsin’s Central Sands Prairie Region. The family hungering for an old-fash … |
| Lac Courte Oreilles, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
5,039 ac | 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 … |