Lake Namakagon

This article is about the individual lake. For the chain of lakes, see Namekagon Lake.
Lake Namakagon
Location Bayfield County, Wisconsin near Cable, Wisconsin
Coordinates 46°12′57″N 91°06′40″W / 46.2157°N 91.111°W / 46.2157; -91.111Coordinates: 46°12′57″N 91°06′40″W / 46.2157°N 91.111°W / 46.2157; -91.111
Type Glacial lake
Primary inflows Namakagon River
Basin countries United States
Average depth 38 ft (12 m)
Max. depth 51 ft (16 m)
Water volume 52,032 acre feet (64,181,000 m3)
Shore length1 43.67 mi (70 km)
Islands Paines Island, Anderson Island
Settlements Namakagon, Wisconsin
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lake Namakagon (pronounced NAM-uh-KAH-gun) is a large freshwater lake located in the Chequamegon National Forest in northern Wisconsin. The lake derives its name from the Ojibwe language, and it means "Lake abundant with sturgeons." It is known for tourism, fishing, and as the home of the legendary Anishinaabe Chief Namakagon.

Early history

The area around Lake Namakagon was logged heavily during the timber boom years from post-Civil War days through the mid-1920s. The Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Omaha and Northwestern Railroad arrived nearby in 1880, delivering timber and tourists.Area forests are temperate deciduous forest containing many varieties of coniferous trees, such as white spruce, and other vegetation.

From the early 1830s through 1886, a Native American made his home on the lake. Known locally as Chief Namakagon, he became legend as a result of Ashland Daily Press articles about his trading shards of silver for supplies. His secret source for the silver was never discovered and people still search for it today.

Logging has given way to tourism as the primary economic driver.

The Namakagon River sources from this lake.

Islands in the lake

Natural islands in the lake include:

Fishing

Fish species include bluegill, sunfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, northern pike, and walleye. Namakagon is a premier muskellunge lake, and "one of only three lakes in Wisconsin managed as a trophy muskie lake."[1]

Tourist attractions

There are several restaurants and resorts located on Lake Namakagon.

References

  1. ↑ "Namakagon Lake Association - Our Lake". Retrieved 2012-12-12.
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