Wisconsin's Deepest Inland Lake Boasts A Sandy Beach And Crystal-Clear Water For Swimming

Wisconsin may not be the Great Lakes State (that title goes to Michigan) or the Land of 10,000 Lakes (claimed by Minnesota), but it has become a booming tourist destination worthy of your bucket list. Its freshwater destinations are nothing to balk at. Of the Dairyland's 6,000 named lakes, the deepest and clearest is Wazee Lake, which bottoms out 355 feet below the surface of Jackson County, in east-central Wisconsin. In the language of the native Ho-Chunk people, "Wazee" means "tall pine." The lake is deep enough to submerge the Statue of Liberty and so limpid that divers can see 40 feet through its waters.

Before Wazee was a lake, it was a mine. Between 1968 and '82, the Jackson County Iron Company extracted iron ore from the ground there, digging deep quarries. The company kept groundwater from flooding the mine using large pumps, which forced away some 800 gallons of water per minute. When the mine closed, the pumps stopped, and the main pit was allowed to fill. Today, the artificial inland lake covers nearly 150 acres. The Wazee Lake Recreation Area is a 1,300-acre county park that welcomes campers, hikers, scuba divers, and keen anglers year-round.

Wazee's main attraction is a clean, sandy beach. The lake may reach startling depths, but its southeast shoreline is a shallow, gentle slope — perfect for splashing around and building sandcastles. Nearby are a few public charcoal grills, tables for picnicking, a playground, and restrooms. Summertime visitors can buy ice cream, snacks, and sandwiches at the lakeside concession stand. There's more to do at Wazee Lake than swim at the beach, though. The county park offers kayak and paddleboard rentals so you can take yourself on an aquatic tour of the lake's rockier shorelines. And if you've got the gear, the certification, and the hutzpah, you might also consider scuba diving — the most dangerous water sport in the world. Divers have been known to find industrial artifacts in its depths, like chains and pipes.

Fishing enthusiasts will be happy to know that Wazee Lake is full of smallmouth bass, bluegills, walleye, and two trout species. Jackson County also stocks the lake with rainbow trout. In the summer, you can launch your boat from a paved ramp on the south side of the lake. (Heads up: To preserve the lake's cleanliness and quiet atmosphere, no motors are allowed.) 

In the winter, fishers can drop a line through a foot-wide hole in the ice. You'll need a Wisconsin fishing license, and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sells them by the day or year. You can also go ice diving in the winter, which requires specialized gear and training. Year-round, the area surrounding the lake is ideal for hikers, bikers, and cross-country skiers, with 9 miles of interconnected dirt trails and 3 miles of surfaced bicycle paths. The walking trails surround the lake, and they're punctuated by three scenic overlooks. If you're lucky, you might glimpse a deer, turkey, or porcupine on your strolls.

A car is required to visit Wazee Lake, which is about 7 miles off Interstate 94. It takes a little more than two hours to drive from Madison, an underrated foodie destination, or two and a half from Minneapolis — both of which have airports with car rental services. To enter the park, you'll need to purchase a $5 vehicle pass at the gate, or you can get an annual pass for $30.

The Wazee Lake Recreation Area boasts a 12-site campground, located across the lake from the beach. It's rustic. There is a water tap and a pit toilet, but no showers or plumbed restrooms. The sites are reservable online between April and November of each year, and your camping reservation includes a vehicle pass. If you're looking for more modern comforts, consider the chain hotels in the nearby town of Black River Falls, or stay and play at the Ho-Chunk Casino — less than 10 miles from the lake — for around $200 per night.

Wazee Lake is best enjoyed in the summer months, when visitors can comfortably swim in its refreshing waters. After all, most July days have an average high of 83 degrees in Black River Falls, and the surface of Wazee Lake is only about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer sunshine also makes for the best underwater visibility. Both divers and paddlers will appreciate gazing into the depths.