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Lake Petenwell, Wisconsin, USA

Thirty miles north of the famous Wisconsin Dells near Monroe Center, Lake Petenwell is a hidden treasure. The largest manmade inland lake in the state and the second largest overall, Lake Petenwell covers parts of both Adams and Juneau Counties. Petenwell Dam was built on the Wisconsin River by the Wisconsin River Power Company in 1948. Visitor to the lake can tour the dam which is the…
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Welcome to the ultimate guide to Lake Petenwell! Article topics include:

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    • All About Lake Petenwell, WI

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Wisconsin - Central Sands Prairie Region, WI -

    Thirty miles north of the famous Wisconsin Dells near Monroe Center, Lake Petenwell is a hidden treasure. The largest manmade inland lake in the state and the second largest overall, Lake Petenwell covers parts of both Adams and Juneau Counties. Petenwell Dam was built on the Wisconsin River by the Wisconsin River Power Company in 1948. Visitor to the lake can tour the dam which is the largest hydroelectric facility in the area. Petenwell Dam is still owned by the Wisconsin River Power Company and generates power for the surrounding area.

    There is not much private lakefront property on Lake Petenwell. Most of the shoreline is undeveloped forest which is the reason for the lake’s beautiful unspoiled characteristics. There are great amenities, however, including one of the state’s top rated golf courses. There are several public boat ramps and lots of room for waterskiing and sailing. Anglers will find plenty of walleye, northern pike, large and small mouth bass, and muskie to challenge them, and Adams County has very good hunting. Petenwell County Park on the shores of Lake Petenwell has camping, a boat launch and swimming beach, and trail for hiking and cross country skiing.

    A trip to Lake Petenwell wouldn’t be complete without visiting the rock that shares its name. Petenwell Rock was named for Peter Wells a man who lived with the area’s Indians. He and the chief’s daughter “Clinging Vine” fell in love, but she was already promised to someone else. The poor star crossed lovers leapt from the rock to their deaths. Today Petenwell Rock is one of the best places in the state to watch wintering bald eagles.

    Nearby Necedah Natural Wildlife Refuge is another great place to watch birds and other wildlife. Established in 1939 by President Roosevelt, the 43,656 acre refuge was created to protect and preserve migratory birds, wildlife and their habitat. The refuge is part of the Great Central Wisconsin Swamp which is the largest wetland bog in the state, and it’s home to whooping cranes, wolves, trumpeter swans, and several endangered or threatened species.

    Its proximity to the Wisconsin Dells, “America’s Waterpark,” and its sister lake, Castle Rock Lake, along with the beautiful unspoiled bog of Necedah Wildlife Refuge combine to make Lake Petenwell a fantastic getaway. Add the undeveloped forested shoreline, interesting geological features and great golf, shopping and restaurants and a trip to Lake Petenwell is sure to please the whole family.

    Things to Do at Lake Petenwell

    These are some activities in the Lake Petenwell, WI area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Water Skiing
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Hiking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Petenwell?

    Lake Petenwell has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Muskellunge
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Walleye
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake Petenwell

    If you’re considering a Lake Petenwell lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Lake Petenwell Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Petenwell lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lake Petenwell Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Wisconsin River Power Company

    Surface Area: 23,040 acres

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 0 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 924 feet

    Maximum Depth: 44 feet

    Water Volume: 495,000 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1948

    Lake Area-Population: 363

    Drainage Area: 5,860 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Lake Petenwell Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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