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 Kegonsa, WI (Southern Savanna Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
3,140 ac | 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 … |
Grindstone Lake, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
3,111 ac | 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 … |
Rush Lake, WI (Central Sands Prairie Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
3,070 ac | Rush Lake is a conservation success story in the making and a testament to what can happen when diverse groups are willing to put aside their differen … |
Round Lake, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
3,054 ac | 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 … |
Namekagon Lake, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
2,897 ac | Also known as Lake Namekagon Surrounded on all sides by the beautiful Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Lake Namekagon is a great Wisconsin Northwoods getaway in Bayfield Count … |
Lake Sinissippi, WI (Southern Savanna Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
2,855 ac | Also known as Sinissippi Lake Located in Dodge County just north of Hustisford in the midst of Wisconsin farmland, Sinissippi Lake is a beautiful pastoral escape. Surrounded by gen … |
Fox Lake, WI (Southern Savanna Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
2,625 ac | The Winnebago Indians, the area’s first inhabitants called it Hosh-a-rac-ah-tah or “good land.” Later it was known as “Waushara” or “fish spear,” and … |
Shell Lake, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
2,580 ac | 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 … |
Nelson Lake, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
2,503 ac | With its undeveloped shoreline and beautiful water, Nelson Lake joins the other Hayward Lakes as a fantastic Wisconsin destination. Historically there … |
Pewaukee Lake, WI (Southern Savanna Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
2,493 ac | Named from the Potawatomi word “Pee-wauk-ee-wee-nick” for “lake of shells,” Pewaukee Lake is a beautiful spring-fed lake. Just 20 miles from Milwaukee … |
Lake Nokomis, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
2,433 ac | 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 … |
Lake Noquebay, WI (Lake Michigan Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
2,409 ac | Lake Noquebay spans more than 2,400 acres in northeastern Wisconsin. Located in Marinette County, Lake Noquebay is part of Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan R … |