Water Sports

The bigger the lake, the better for most water sporters! More space means more room to roam, more space for maneuvering a boat, and less chance of running into another boater. For this reason, lakes over 500 acres tend to be most popular with most water sport enthusiasts. Some of the larger lakes in the area include Namekagon, Grindstone, Lac Courte Oreilles, Chippewa Flowage, and the Eau Claire Lakes. Other top destinations are Round Lake, Lake Nelson, and Lake Owen.

The big lakes tend to be the most popular—and the most populated—in northern Wisconsin. However, since many waters skiers, especially skilled slalom skiers, prefer calmer waters, water skiing is also common on smaller lakes, such as Tahkodah, Diamond, or Atkins (in the Cable area) or Lake Hayward and Smith Lake (closer to Hayward).

Don’t have a boat? Don’t worry; rentals are available just about everywhere! Borrow a ski boat, a fishing boat, a pontoon boat, or a jet ski, and don’t forget to take some equipment with you. This makes it easy to try out new sports and activities. And even if you’re on a lake without the rental service you’re looking for, you just might be able to have a nearby rental shop ship to your lake.