Recreation
Lake Wissota State Park
Lake Wissota State Park offers a variety of recreation opportunities.
Accessibility
Lake Wissota State Park offers an array of accessible opportunities, including an accessible fishing pier where beginners and angling enthusiasts alike can catch bass, walleye, and northern pike, among other species. The park also provides accessible campsites and picnic shelters.
For navigating the lake, an adaptive tandem kayak with a launching chariot is available. Call the park office for information on the rental program.
Old Abe State Trail
The nearby Old Abe State Trail is a popular trail for biking and hiking. This paved railroad-grade trail runs for 20 miles and connects Lake Wissota to Brunet Island State Park in Cornell. The Old Abe State Trail is approximately two miles from Lake Wissota State Park via Cty. Hwy. O. Parking is available at the Anson Station trailhead located just off the intersection of Cty. Hwy. O and Cty. Hwy. S. A state trail pass is required to use the Old Abe State Trail for all bikers and in-line skaters age 16 and older.
Biking
The park has 18 miles of unpaved trails open to off-road bicycles. All trails open to bicycling are also shared with hikers, horseback riders or both. Please use caution and yield to both hikers and horseback riders. While most of the park is level, the Staghorn Trail has a few hills and is a popular trail for both biking and hiking. A state trail pass is not required for biking in the park.
Boating, canoeing and kayaking
Boating, canoeing, kayaking and water skiing are popular summer activities on the 6,300-acre Lake Wissota. Lake Wissota State Park offers excellent access to the lake with a boat launch and trailer parking area in the southern part of the park.
Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards can be rented at the park office from the Friends of Lake Wissota State Park. The office also has a list of area businesses that rent fishing boats. An adaptive kayak is available through the park’s rental program.
Camping
Camping at Lake Wissota State Park
Fishing
Lake Wissota has several species of fish, including walleye, muskie, bass, panfish, northern pike, catfish, and sturgeon. A Wisconsin fishing license is required.
There is a permanent, accessible fishing pier along the shore just west of the boat launch. A few fish cribs in front of the pier help attract bass and walleye.
Anglers of any age may check out basic fishing equipment free of charge at the park office. This equipment was donated by the Tackle Loaner Program. Call the park office to find out what equipment is available.
Hiking
Lake Wissota State Park has 20 miles of unpaved trails. All trails are open to hiking, except for when the ski trails are snow-covered. Some trails are shared with off-road bicyclists and horseback riders. There are two self-guided scenic interpretive trails, the Beaver Meadow Trail and the Prairie Trail. More than 200 bird species often stop at the lake and in the park during spring and autumn migrations. Birdwatchers may pick up species checklists at the park office.
Pets must be on a leash 8 feet or shorter and under control at all times.
Beaver Meadow Trail (1 mile)
Among the park’s most scenic trails is the 1-mile self-guided Beaver Meadow Trail. Interpretive signs and a trail overlook allow visitors to learn about and view the environment and wildlife found in a beaver meadow.
Prairie Wildflower Trail (0.5 miles)
The self-guided Prairie Wildflower Trail offers up-close views of tall grasses, wildflowers and a variety of other plants. Walk this trail mid- to late May to see wild lupine in bloom, or take a late August hike to view grasses up to six feet high.
Horseback riding
Horseback riders have 10 miles of trails available in the park. All horseback riding trails are shared with off-road bicyclists and hikers. Horse rental is not available in or near the park, and there is no overnight horse camping at the park. A state trail pass is required for horseback riders 16 years of age and older.
Picnic areas and playgrounds
Lake Wissota State Park has three picnic shelters, two of which can be rented. There are picnic tables and grills at the Scenic Overlook, the pet use area, the beach and fishing pier, and by the Nature Center. Playgrounds are located in the family campground and near the beach. There is also a baseball diamond and a sand volleyball court in the park. Accessible picnic pads are located at the Scenic Overlook and the Riverview Picnic Area.
Swimming
There is a swimming beach and bathhouse at Lake Wissota State Park, about 0.5 miles south of the campground. Restroom facilities are seasonal. Remember to use caution; no lifeguards are provided.
Hunting and trapping
Hunting and trapping are allowed in the park's open areas during the Wisconsin state parks hunting and trapping season. Trapping is not permitted in closed areas as noted on the park hunting map or within 100 yards of any designated use area, including trails. Certain trap types are restricted on state park properties. For more information, please see:
Winter activities
Cross-country ski trails (6 miles)
About 6 miles of cross-country ski trails are groomed for both traditional and skate skiing. Hikers, snowshoers and pets must keep off the trails when they are snow-covered.
Multi-use Groomed trails (6 miles)
An additional 6 miles of trail are maintained and groomed as multi-use trails, allowing for hiking, fat-tire biking, snowshoeing and ungroomed skiing.
Ice Fishing
Lake Wissota State Park is a popular place for Ice fishing. Please remember that the park does not monitor ice conditions on the lake. Ice thickness can vary from day to day and from location to location. Use your best judgment about the safety of the ice.
Snowmobile Trails (5 miles)
There are 5 miles of snowmobile trails within the park that connect to the extensive Chippewa County snowmobile trail system.
The opening and closing of snowmobile trails are at each county's discretion. Snowmobile trails that cross DNR lands are opened and closed consistent with the surrounding county (or counties). Whenever possible, the opening and closing of snowmobile trails are done on a county-wide basis; however, localized conditions may require trail openings and closings. It is the county's responsibility to provide notification on the status of snowmobile trails. The Travel Wisconsin Snow Conditions Report, local club and county snowmobile webpages and telephone hotlines will provide the most current information.