Wisconsin’s Great Lakes

Wisconsin is bordered to the north and east by two of the world’s largest lakes. To the north, Lake Superior forms the largest expanse of freshwater in the world. To the east lies Lake Michigan, the largest freshwater lake entirely within the United States. Lake Michigan and Superior along with Huron, Erie and Ontario and their tributaries form the largest freshwater ecosystem on earth. Their watershed covers parts of eight states and two Canadian provinces.

Wisconsin has more than 1,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline and more than 20 percent of the state’s land area lies within the Great Lakes basin. Half of our population lives there. More than 1.6 million Wisconsin citizens get their drinking water from Lake Michigan or Lake Superior.

Lake Michigan and Lake Superior have fueled our economic growth; their water is vital for manufacturing businesses and they are the foundation of a valuable tourism industry. More than 250,000 anglers enjoy their sport fishing opportunities. Their harbors and marinas support a $9.4 billion dollar a year recreational boating industry. The lakes serve as a wet highway linking the heartland to global markets with major shipping ports in Green Bay, Milwaukee and Duluth/Superior. More than $7 billion worth of cargo passes through Wisconsin ports each year!

Lake Michigan and Lake Superior also support diverse aquatic and near–shore habitats. Sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, wetlands and the world’s largest freshwater dune system can all be found here. Each of these habitats – and their collection of plants is unique. Some are found nowhere else on Earth.

Polluted runoff and sediment from farm fields and cities, habitat loss, invasive species, toxic sediments and climate change continue to threaten our Great Lakes. The DNR recognizes that these valuable resources need special care.

Lake Superior

Lake Superior covers 31,700 square miles and holds as much water as Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario combined, with room left over for three extra Lake Eries. It also holds many national treasures like the Apostle Islands and many state parks and recreational areas. The pristine waters and picturesque landscapes draw tourist from all over to enjoy the many outdoor recreation and scenic opportunities. Even though it is the most pristine of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior is still threatened by sedimentation and by toxic pollutants that bio–accumulate in the food chain and persist in the environment.

Lake Superior fact sheet [PDF]

Lake Michigan

Second largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan has a surface area of 22,300 square miles, making it the largest freshwater lake in the U.S. and the 5th largest lake in the world. Lake Michigan is Wisconsin’s "working lake" and is a critical part of Wisconsin’s economy. The availability of water and an inexpensive, easy way to transport goods brought many industries to the shores and tributaries of Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan cities also benefit from charter fishing, recreational boating and marina activity. Lake Michigan’s beautiful and diverse shoreline – from the sandy beaches of Racine, to the Sand Dunes of Sheboygan to the rocky shores of Door County – offers some of the state’s most popular tourist destinations. Lake Michigan has been impacted by many human activities and significant efforts are needed to restore this magnificent resource.

Lake Michigan fact sheet [PDF]