Learn About Wisconsin’s Largest Lake

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 9

Wisconsin's largest lake is well known for hosting some of the state’s most popular fishing events.

Lake Winnebago is approximately 137,700 acres and the perimeter of the lake is about 88 miles. The depth of the lake reaches 21 feet, which is exactly seven yards deep.

Lake Winnebago formed after the Ice Age and after glaciers went away from Wisconsin. This giant lake formed from the remains of Glacial Lake Oshkosh 12,000 years ago, and Native Americans started to settle on the coast of Lake Winnebago.

Before French fur traders came to what is now called Wisconsin, Native Americans, fishermen, and farmers used to live close to the lake. Effigy mounds, made by the Ho-Chunk Nation, can be visited at county parks close by.

Lake Winnebago is a famous place for its recreational activities, such as water skiing and the most popular, fishing. The most common fish that people catch are the walleye, white bass, and perch. Each winter, people also go spearfishing for sturgeon. Some people go there for its well-known beaches and islands, like Doty Island, Blackbird Island, and Long Point Island.

Lake Winnebago has an interesting ancient history and is still highly visited today.

[Sources: Wisconsin DNR; Travel Wisconsin; Wisconsin Historical Society]