Shawano Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shawano Lake |
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Looking west from Cecil's park
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 Shawano Lake
Location in Wisconsin
Shawano Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Shawano County, Wisconsin, United States |
| Coordinates | 44°48′36″N 88°30′47″W / 44.81000°N 88.51306°W |
| Primary inflows | Loon Creek |
| Primary outflows | Wolf River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 6,178 acres (2,500 ha) |
| Average depth | 9 ft (2.7 m) |
| Max. depth | 42 ft (13 m) |
| Surface elevation | 802 feet (244 m) |
| Islands | Schumacher Island |
| Settlements | Shawano, Cecil |
Shawano Lake is a beautiful lake located in Shawano County in northeastern Wisconsin. It's a "hard water" lake, meaning it has lots of minerals. Water flows into it from several streams, and its main outlet is the Wolf River. A dam in the city of Shawano helps keep the lake's water level high.
Shawano Lake is quite large, covering about 6,178 acres (25 km2). It's usually about 9 feet (2.7 m) deep, but in some spots, it can be as deep as 42 feet (13 m). The shoreline stretches for about 18 miles (29 km). The towns of Wescott, Washington, and the village of Cecil are all located right next to the lake.
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Fun Activities on Shawano Lake
Shawano Lake is a super popular spot for outdoor fun! You can enjoy many activities like fishing, boating, swimming, and water skiing. It's also a great place for bird watching and other outdoor adventures.
The lake is known for its fishing, attracting many anglers. You can catch different kinds of fish here, including walleye, largemouth bass, and panfish, especially in the spring. In winter, when the lake freezes, people enjoy ice fishing for northern pike and panfish. Fishing tournaments are often held on the lake. During the winter, two special tracks are even set up on the ice for ice racing!
Homes and Resorts Around the Lake
Shawano Lake has a lot of homes built around its edges. Most of the shoreline is surrounded by houses and cabins. All these homes are connected to a special system that provides clean water and handles waste, keeping the lake healthy. There are also many resorts and places where you can rent a cabin for a fun vacation by the lake.
Fish and Wildlife in Shawano Lake
Shawano Lake is a great home for many types of fish that prefer warmer water. The main sport fish you can find here are northern pike, largemouth bass, and walleye. For smaller fish, you'll see bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, and pumpkinseed. These fish naturally reproduce well in the lake, which helps keep their populations strong.
Over the last ten years, a population of musky has also been growing in the lake, with new fish added each year. In the 1980s, a special area was built in the lake to help walleye lay their eggs. Scientists regularly check on the fish populations, especially walleye and largemouth bass, to make sure they are healthy.
Wildlife Around the Lake
Shawano Lake is also an important resting spot for many types of waterfowl (birds that live near water) when they are migrating. Many different animals live in the undeveloped areas along the shore.
Dead or dying trees that are still standing, called "snags," provide homes for birds and insects like bald eagles, bats, woodpeckers, and songbirds. Many mammals and birds use holes in trees for their dens. Fallen logs on the ground are used by salamanders, small mammals, and insects for protection, food, and places to have their babies.
Trees that have fallen into the water are very important too. They create great spots for fish to rest and find food. Plants that grow in and near the water are also super important. They provide critical habitats for small mammals, amphibians (like frogs), reptiles (like turtles), birds, and fish at all stages of their lives.
Getting to Shawano Lake
Shawano Lake has about 24 different places where people can get to the water. These include public and private boat launches, as well as special access points owned by the towns.
There's a county park right on Shawano Lake with a swimming beach and a boat launch. Another park is located in the Village of Cecil, which is used as an access point for one of the winter ice racing tracks.
The Shawano Municipal Airport is also located near Shawano Lake. Part of the lake is even used as a runway for pontoon planes, which are planes that can land and take off from water. You'll often see them using the lake during the summer!
Images for kids
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Ice-covered Shawano Lake in winter
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Ice racing
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Ice shanties
