Want to get out on the water in the Northwoods? Whether you’re looking for great fishing, boating, or watersports opportunities, Oneida County’s lake chains offer a great way to explore a lot of the area’s outstanding waterways in one go. Here’s a closer look at three lake chains to explore on your next trip to the Northwoods.
Minocqua Chain of Lakes
One of the most popular lake chains in Wisconsin, the Minocqua Chain of Lakes consists of six lakes ranging in size from Mud Lake (41 acres) to Tomahawk Lake (3,462 acres). All told, the chain contains nearly 6,000 acres of water and more than 15 miles of shoreline. The chain is a popular spot for boating and is well known for its bass fishing. Public access is available via boat landings on Lake Minocqua, Tomahawk Lake, and Kawaguesaga Lake.
Three Lakes Chain of Lakes
Trust us, there are a lot more than three lakes in Three Lakes—this lake chain in northeastern Oneida County includes more than a dozen waterways and connects with the Eagle River Chain in Vilas County to the north to form the largest chain of freshwater lakes in the world, with 28 lakes and 174 miles of shoreline. (From late spring to early fall, boaters can go from one chain to another via the Burnt Rollways Dam boat hoist where the Eagle River flows into Cranberry Lake). Notable lakes in the chain with public access include Big Lake and Big Stone Lake.
Rhinelander Chain of Lakes
Rhinelander in central Oneida County sits along the Wisconsin River and is home to its own small lake chain that includes Boom Lake (an impoundment of the Wisconsin River), the Rhinelander Flowage, Thunder Lake, and Lake Creek. The Rhinelander Flowage covers more than 1,300 acres and is the largest waterway in the chain. Hodag Park in Rhinelander is located along the southern shore of Boom Lake (365 acres) and offers easy lake access and is also home to a swimming beach.
