We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

Shawano Lake, Wisconsin, USA

Tucked in the beautiful country of eastern Wisconsin, Shawano Lake is a hidden gem of beauty and splendor. This lake has an area of 6,178 acres, and has an average depth of nine feet. A dam along one of the lake’s outlets, Wolf River, controls the level of the lake. Shawano Lake, along with Shawano County and the city of Shawano, were all named after Chief Sawanoh,…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Shawano Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Shawano Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Shawano Lake, WI

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

    Tucked in the beautiful country of eastern Wisconsin, Shawano Lake is a hidden gem of beauty and splendor. This lake has an area of 6,178 acres, and has an average depth of nine feet. A dam along one of the lake’s outlets, Wolf River, controls the level of the lake.

    Shawano Lake, along with Shawano County and the city of Shawano, were all named after Chief Sawanoh, a Menominee Indian chief who used to camp with his tribes on the shores of Shawano Lake. The Menominee tribe still lives in the area on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Shawano County. The Stockbridge-Munsee band of Mohican Indians also lives nearby, on the Stockbridge-Munsee Indian reservation.

    Shawano Lake is a perfect place for the outdoor lover. With its abundance of fish, Lake Shawano is a popular place for anglers. Many fishing tournaments are held there each year, and anglers of all types enjoy reeling in fish such as walleye, largemouth bass, and northern pike.

    Those who love nature will find Shawano Lake to be a wonderland. The surrounding area is a haven for birds and wildlife, and the lake is an important stop for migrating birds. Some of the birds that can be seen in the area include bald eagles, redheaded woodpeckers, and waterfowl such as ducks and geese. The Schumachers, who own Schumacher Island, allow visitors to come see the island and the birds that nest there.

    There are countless activities to be enjoyed on both the lake and in the surrounding areas. You can go for a swim on one of the lake’s sandy beaches, or glide through the water in a canoe or kayak. For the adventurous, there is also water skiing, jet skiing, and sailing, or you can go whitewater rafting on one of the nearby rivers. One of the exciting events in the area is a water-ski show performed by the Shawano Ski Sharks, held every week during the summer on the nearby Wolf River. And a splendid fireworks display is held annually on Shawano Lake.

    The fun doesn’t stop in the winter, either. When it’s frosty outside and Shawano Lake has developed a thick crust of ice, it is a popular place for ice fishing. The lake is also know for its winter ice-racing events. And if you enjoy snowmobiling, there are hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails that wind across Shawano county.

    The Shawano Lake region is a wonderful area to have fun. If you want to explore the area’s history, you can visit some of the museums in the area, take a tour of historic buildings at Heritage Park in the town of Shawano, or visit one of the nearby Indian reservations.

    There’s lots to do at Shawano County Park, which has basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, plus a swimming beach and a boat launch. The town of Shawano also has many other great places for entertainment. The U.S. International Raceway and the Midwest Amusement Park both provide tons of fun. You can watch an exciting motorcycle race, go mini-golfing, or splash around in the swimming pool. Another good place to check out is the Shawano Sports Park, which has mini-golf, batting cages, and go-karting – lots of fun activities for the whole family.

    If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy nature, water sports, and exciting activities all in one place, Shawano Lake will be perfect for you!

    Things to Do at Shawano Lake

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

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Fishing Tournaments
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Swimming Pool
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Whitewater Rafting
    • Jet Skiing
    • Water Skiing
    • Golf
    • Tennis
    • Camping
    • Hiking
    • Snowmobiling
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • Museum
    • Amusement Park

    What Kind of Fish Are in Shawano Lake?

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

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Walleye
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Shawano Lake

    If you’re considering a Shawano Lake 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 Shawano Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Shawano Lake 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:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Shawano Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Surface Area: 6,178 acres

    Shoreline Length: 18 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 801 feet

    Average Depth: 9 feet

    Maximum Depth: 40 feet

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Shawano Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Shawano Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Captain / First Mate Custom 20 oz Tumbler

    SHOP NOW
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    SHOP NOW
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    On Lake Time Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    SHOP NOW
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Shawano Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Shawano Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Shawano Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Shawano Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: