Oneida County’s lakes offer an array of activities for boaters of all sorts, whether you’re cruising through a lake chain in a pontoon boat, kayaking on a picture-perfect waterway, or making waves on a jet ski.
Here’s how to make the most of your next boating adventure in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
What to do on the lakes
Oneida County’s lakes are the perfect place for all kinds of boating and aquatic activities, including pontoon cruises, canoeing, kayaking, waterskiing, and jet skiing.
Learn more about fishing and boating in Oneida County.
Lakes to explore
Oneida County is home to one of the largest concentrations of fresh water in the world, so there are seemingly countless lakes to explore from massive bodies of water with miles of shoreline to tiny, isolated waters where your only company will be the sound of wildlife.
Popular lakes in Oneida County include:
- Boom Lake, Rhinelander
- Pelican Lake, Pelican Lake/Schoepke
- Lake Minocqua, Minocqua
- Sugar Camp Lake, Sugar Camp
- Big Lake, Three Lakes
- Brandy Lake, Woodruff
- Willow Flowage, Hazelhurst
And it’s easy to get on the lakes, too—Oneida County has hundreds of public-access lakes with boat launches and ramps that can accommodate canoes, kayaks, fishing boats, and other watercraft.
Find more information on specific Oneida County lakes on the Wisconsin DNR website.
Lake chains
Oneida County is also home to several notable lake chains. The Three Lakes Chain in the northeastern part of the county connects to the Eagle River Chain to the north to form the largest chain of freshwater lakes in the world, encompassing more than two dozen beautiful waterways.
Another popular lake chain is the Minocqua Chain, which consists of six lakes containing nearly 6,000 acres of water. It’s a popular lake chain for boating and fishing, and public boat landings are available on Lake Minocqua, Tomahawk Lake, and Kawaguesaga Lake.
Learn more about Oneida County’s lake chains.
Where to rent boats
Don’t have a boat of your own? No problem. There are many businesses throughout Oneida County that offer boat rentals, including many of the county’s lakeside lodging properties. (Browse our sortable listings to find waterfront resorts, cabins, and more.)
Boat rental businesses in Oneida County:
- Anchor Marine & Storage, Three Lakes
- Minocqua Pontoon Cruises & Rentals
- The Boat House, Three Lakes
- PNC Rentals, Pelican Lake/Schoepke
- Minocqua Power Sport Rental
Lakeside Restaurants
If you get hungry after a day of fun out on the water, you’re in luck—you can just drive your boat up to one of Oneida County’s waterfront restaurants to relax and enjoy a tasty meal.
Find more Oneida County restaurants here.
