Wisconsin's Largest Artificial Lake Is An Outdoor Haven For Fishing, Boating, & Coastal Fun

Wisconsin has become a booming tourism destination that should be on anybody's bucket list when they're exploring the Midwest. The state's unspoiled nature is a huge draw for visitors, with pristine forests covering 40% of its land area and the Great Lakes lying along its northern and eastern borders. In addition, thousands of lakes pepper the state's interior, ranging from tiny North Woods "potholes" to the ocean-like 131,939-acre Lake Winnebago, which is by far the largest in the state. At 23,173 acres, Petenwell Lake is the state's largest artificial lake as well as the second-largest overall.

The 14-mile-long and 2-mile-wide body of water resulted from the construction of the Petenwell Dam along the Wisconsin River in 1948. This dam was the brainchild of the Wisconsin River Company, who sought not just to generate valuable hydroelectric power but also to tame the unruly river, which was prone to overflowing its banks. At the time, the Petenwell Dam and its sibling downstream (the Castle Rock Dam) were considered engineering marvels — they were among the first dams in the U.S. to be constructed on sand, requiring the use of deeply anchored walls to ensure stability. 

Today, Petenwell Lake is a relaxing destination for outdoor recreation, offering activities from boating and fishing in its expansive waters to hiking and camping on its 101 miles of shoreline. The lake is located in rural central Wisconsin, around an hour from Wisconsin Dells, home to the country's largest outdoor waterpark. If Wisconsin Dells is the state's answer to Disney Land, then Petenwell Lake would be its appealing but calmer cousin — a little to the north.

Above all, Petenwell Lake appeals to water lovers. Given the lake's size, there's plenty of room for motor boats, sailboats, and pontoon boats to coexist peacefully while pursuing their own paths to water-based bliss. For some that might mean zooming around the lake on tubes or water skis, while for others, it may look like sailing quietly into the sunset. Visitors can launch their own boats at a dozen different boat launches or rent pontoon boats from Barnum Bay Marina, which is conveniently located on the lake's northeast side. 

Anglers can cast their lines from a boat, from a pier like Plaza Wisconsin on the lake's northwest side, or from the shoreline, with opportunities to catch musky, panfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, sturgeon, and catfish. Kayaking can also be lovely here, with opportunities to explore sloughs, sandbanks, and a few small islands. A note of caution, though: Petenwell Lake is shallow, and the wind can quickly whip it up into a frenzy. For this reason, it's not recommended to try to cross the lake. Rather, remain within a swimmable distance from shore for the duration of your trip.

Those who prefer to keep their feet on solid ground can take advantage of the walking and hiking trails in the area, like those at Petenwell County Park, the second-largest county park in Wisconsin. For a more vigorous uphill hike, try the Petenwell Bluff Trail on the south side of the lake. This .8-mile trail climbs 150 feet through a pine forest to the top of a rock formation overlooking the lake and the Wisconsin River. If you're lucky, you may spot some bald eagles along the trail. You may also see people climbing straight up the face of the rock formation, with harnesses and ropes, of course, as this is a prime rock climbing destination in this part of Wisconsin.

No visit to Petenwell Lake is complete without a hot meal, a cold drink, and a lakeside patio. For that, look no farther than the Lure Bar & Grill, located next to the Barnum Bay Marina on the lake's northeast side, where Wisconsin cheese features heavily on the menu. Appetizers like cheese curds and cheese poppers accompany a wide array of cheeseburgers. The lactose-intolerant need not despair and can choose from delights like peel-and-eat shrimp, pontoon Polish sausage, and chicken wraps. Alternatively, Romano's Pizzeria at the lake's northern tip comes highly recommended on Google Maps for those with a craving for stuffed pizza, live music, and spectacular sunsets. One reviewer wrote, "Food was great. Nice to have authentic Chicago pizza in Wisconsin ... They even have authentic Italian sausage."

Overnight visitors will find a few camping options right on the shores of Petenwell Lake, both with excellent amenities and lovely lake views. On the southeast side, Petenwell County Park has several loops of campsites and an ATV/UTV campground with access to the Adams County ATV/UTV trail system. Amenities at the county park include a game room, a designated swimming area, a boat launch, a playground, walking trails, heated showers and restrooms. On the other side of the lake is the more rustic Juneau County Wilderness Park, which has 127 campsites (most with electric hook-ups), bathrooms with showers, a small store, and walking trails. While the sites closer to the lake may offer better views, visitors recommend the back sites in the wooded areas if you're looking for peace and quiet. Basic brick-and-mortar accommodations are also available along the lakeshore at the Bay Rest Resort and in nearby towns like Wisconsin Rapids.