Lake Map Information - WISCONSIN LAKES-PUB-FM-800 99Rev.

Frequently, people need help finding a particular lake. There are a number of maps available with varying levels of detail.

Although the DNR has some lake maps available at Madison and district offices, the DNR does not routinely print or stock lake maps for public distribution. If you wish to inquire about the availability of maps from the DNR, you may call (608) 266-2621. A more complete set of maps are available and can be purchased for about $2.00 each, plus tax and handling charges, from:

      The Clarkson Map Company
      1225 Delanglade Street
      Box 218
      Kaukauna, WI 54130
      Phone: 920-766-3000

Fishing Hot Spots is another source of lake maps. The company has a series of books which detail lakes and rivers by geographic boundaries. The company also has lake contour maps marked with fishing spots for individual lakes or chains of lakes. Fishing Hot Spots provides a catalog of directories and maps along with detailed reports on many Wisconsin lakes. To obtain information on these lake maps, books or reports contact:

      Fishing Hot Spots
      P.O. Box 1167
      Rhinelander, WI 54501
      Phone 1-800-338-5957

The official state map, published by the Department of Transportation, shows lakes of about 100 acres and larger and locates federal, state and county highways. More detailed individual county maps are also published by the Department of Transportation. These 18" x 24" maps (on the scale of 1/2" = 1 mile) show all Wisconsin highways including town roads. The majority of all the lakes in Wisconsin, even the smaller lakes, are shown on these county maps.

Official state maps or county maps are available from:

      The Department of Transportation
      Division of Highways, Document Map Sales
      3617 Peirstorff Street
      Madison, WI 53707
      Phone: 608-246-3265

Prices for the county maps (based on 1995 prices) are $1.20 each. The 1995 price for county maps is $1.20 each. Smaller maps (8 1/2" x 11" on a scale of approximately 1/4" = 1 mile) are available for $0.50 each or $5.50 for a booklet of all 72 Wisconsin counties. The official State of Wisconsin highway map is free.

The most detailed maps available are the U.S. Geological Survey 7 1/2 minute quadrangle maps. These maps show the location of all lakes in the state, even those less than one acre in size, the boat access sites, and all roads down to trail size. The 7 1/2 minute quadrangle maps can be ordered from:

     Wisconsin Geological & Natural History Survey
     3817 Mineral Point Road
     Madison, WI 53705
     Phone: 608-263-7389

Prices for these quadrangle maps are approximately $3.50 each. Topographic maps of the entire state are included in a book titled "Wisconsin Atlas and Gazetteer." Although on a somewhat smaller scale than the individual topographic maps, the maps in this book do provide an excellent level of detail for the back roads and lakes in Wisconsin. "Wisconsin Atlas and Gazetteer" can be ordered from:

     DeLorme Mapping Company
     P. O. Box 298
     Freeport, Maine 04032
     Phone: 207-865-4171

The 1995 price for the book was $14.95 plus $5.00 shipping. This book is also available at many local bookstores and sporting good shops.

Milwaukee Map Service has detailed road maps divided by four regions: northwestern, southwestern, northeastern and southeastern. Besides the names of all the town roads in Wisconsin, these maps show the location of most of the lakes in the state. These four regional road maps can be ordered from:

     Milwaukee Map Service, Inc.
     959 N. Mayfair Rd.
     Milwaukee, WI 53226
     Phone: 414-774-1300

The Milwaukee Map Service also has additional maps available, such as individual county maps, county plat books, aerial photos or navigational charts.

CD MAP-IT has developed a CD-ROM with an estimated 1,000 WI lake maps. Search lakes by lake name, county, fish types, and public access types. Print your own lake maps, export to other software, never lose the original. Requirements of Microsoft Windows (R) 3.1 or NT is all you need with a CD-ROM drive. Available on Separate CDs.

Please contact CDMAP-IT for pricing information:

     phone: 1-800-628-8577 or 920-730-8691
     FAX: 920-730-8616
     e-mail: DeanTande@AOL.com

Sportsman's Connection has fishing maps available and fishing information. The Wisconsin Muskie Fishing Map Guide and Wisconsin Fishing Map Pro on a CD. (Added to the 2001 version of the book)

     Phone: 1-888-572-0182 Fax: 715-395-7773
     1423 North Eight Street, 
     Superior, WI 54880