July 21, 2025 it will be 29 years since I 1st met my wife. That bar, snack bar and sandy Beach were…read moreso awesome. Now only giant homes are in it's place. Makes me sad still.

If you happen to be studying a map of Waukesha County's gorgeous lake region, and your eyes settle…read moreon what clearly looks like a tooth shaped lake near the intersection of Highways K and C, you have found Moose Lake. It's 83 acres of beautiful scenery, crystal clear water fed from an underground spring, so yesterday's water temperature was 80°. The depth varies from just 4 feet to 60 feet. There is always a slight breeze in the air, which is great for keeping away the mosquitoes. I visited for two days and saw boating, swimming, fishing, and paddle board activity. Fishing here might net you a Panfish, Largemouth Bass or a Northern Pike. Most of the lakefront properties include private docks, but there is a public access dock as well. Just gorgeous!

The boat patrol on this lake will harass you and pull you over constantly. It seems they are trying…read moreto drive out anyone who isn't using the lake for fishing or sailing. Tickets are always issued, no warnings. Ridiculous rules that are not well published. Seriously, such a shame to have this lake ruined by the people in charge.

For my 100th review I want to tell you about one of my favorite places ever. I am a little biased…read morebecause I have been swimming in Big Cedar since I was a baby, but this place is the shit. 45 minutes north of Milwaukee, this isn't a quiet Northern Wisconsin lake, this is a big, busy, loved lake. A few short weeks from now, the piers and boats will be out and fall colors will be in full swing. On a clear calm day the lake will reflect the tree's colors and the water will be smooth, this is the perfect time for a canoe ride. You could come out here on a frigid January day when the trees are bare and the lake is frozen. The ice fishers will be out with their trucks and shanties huddled around the good spots, fishing their hearts out. Months later spring's progress will be obvious by the slowly melting ice and the buds on the trees. Piers will go in but the lake will still be quiet until Memorial Day when summer at the lake officially starts. Then the water will be choppy with boat wakes and the smell of bbq will be in the air. The CL Yacht has fireworks on the 4th of July and the that night the bay is full of boats of spectators, on the boat ride home the firework fans on the lake shoot off aftershows from their piers. Most busy weekend afternoons in the summer the shallow sandy area on the east side of the lake is full of boats and swimmers playing frisbee, football, and soaking in the sun. Many of the cottage and lake home owners are from Milwaukee or Chicago but there are enough full time residents for you to notice their presence in the off-season. There are several boat ramps on both the east and west sides of the lake. At this point there are four restaurant/bars on the lake: Timmers, Padways, House of Heileman's and Old Cedar Inn. Most days the best plan is a cocktail cruise on the lake and a grill out. In general people keep to themselves but we are Midwest friendly and if you boat runs out of gas (or you can't figure out where neutral is) it isn't hard to find someone to tow you and your boat home. Stop by Big Cedar for a swim, a boat ride, a sunset, or a drink and fish fry at Timmers; chances are you'll come back again soon.

I've been on the hunt for solid paddle boarding spots that aren't too far from Milwaukee…read more We tried the pond at Veterans Park on the lakefront in Milwaukee, but I was so worried about falling in the water (it's not clean...at all) that I didn't enjoy it. We tried Pewaukee Lake, but there was a bit too much motor boat action to enjoy paddle boarding. I was flummoxed, until I spoke to someone who lives in Delafield. She recommended Lower Nemahbin Lake. Yahtzee! With free parking and easy access to a kayak/paddle board dedicated dock, Lower Nemahbin Lake is the perfect lake for us! Clean lake water flanked by lush green without too much motor boat activity (it isn't a wake-free lake but boaters are respectful and aren't abundant), we couldn't ask for a better location for paddle boarding. It has an anchored dock in the middle of the lake that we love paddling out to for an afternoon picnic on the lake (and to let the kiddo get some dock jumping/swimming in). It's also kinda fun to paddle under the overpass. Last time we went through, we were able to see a birds nest with peeping baby birds. All in all, a great spot to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon. Get to it!

Easy access: ***** Boat traffic: ***** (not a lot)…read moreWater quality: ***** Free access: ***** Lower Nemahbin Lake is located in Waukesha County in the Village of Summit. This review is for the lake in general for kayaking or paddle boarding. We have been kayaking and paddle boarding for three years now and been to 6 different lakes. I've lived on Okauchee Lake and grew up boating on many of these lake. The public access is down Sugar Island Road just off of I94 provides quick and easy access to the lake which is a bonus. Parking is limited but many cars don't seem to follow the signs which limits 10 cars to the parking lot. Without DNR manning and charging people this will happen. Still plenty of room to unload your gear and a short 100 feet walk or so to the kayak launch area with a short 20 feet pier. There is a public launch for boats but is for small fishing boats as it is a shallow launch and very shallow water for a long way past the island. The shallow water way has a sandy bottom so very little to no weeds and warmer water. Lower Nemahbin Lake is a 239 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 36 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. Overall a Great Lake to kayak, canoe or paddle boarding.

If you asked AI what an ideal state park should look like, it would describe Mauthe Lake. Full…read moredisclaimer-I have been coming here off and on for over 50 years and the nostalgia is strong. And now with a lake home only a few minutes away, while I don't need to visit, I still do at times just to take in the memories. It checks off all the boxes-water, beach, walking trails, camping, concessions, and fishing spots. The Kettle Moraine started with the purchase of land surrounding the lake and it does a great job representing. I enjoy seeing the different geological formations and landscapes (marshes, pine, deciduous). A beautiful space.

This is a fantastic spot for a lake day with really nice facilities. The lake has a good bit of…read morebeach but there's also grass and trees quite close to the water to provide shade. The changing rooms and bathrooms are clean and large so it wasn't crowded. There's also a playground right next to the beach for fun on land. We will definitely be back!

Beautiful park for a nice walk. Very relaxing and quiet. We love just having a nice quiet,…read moreleisurely stroll through the park to reflect on the past day.

From the owner: Boat launch into Little Cedar Lake within Washington County's Ackerman's Grove Parkread more

As lakes go, this one is often overlooked. Driving for east of the lake I'd definitely more rural…read moreand very pleasant country driving. The better route north or south with a little more time added. High cliff state park a nice place to settle in nature.

Lake Winnebago is a huge lake. Not Lake Michigan huge, of course, but it feels like it as you…read morecannot see the shore on the opposite side lake! And if you are use to cruising around inland lakes, Winnebago will take the cake. Because of its vast size, the wind and consequent waves can be wicked. I recommend that if you are prone to sea-sickness and going out on the water, you need to bring favorite motion sickness medication as a precaution. Winnebago is a shallow lake, so be mindful of your boat prop position. This is a great lake for tubing, water skiing, and fishing. There are multiple parks along the banks. The boat launch located in North Fond Du Lac is awesome with 5 slots and it is easy to get your boat in and out and park for only a few dollars. There is plentiful wildlife and birds to watch. Seeing the pelicans fly over the lake is an amazing experience. Speaking for experience, I don't recommend staying on the water after sunset. It is very, very dark. And extremely difficult to find that inlet that leads to the North Fond Du Lac boat launch.... I've always had fun, memorable experiences the few times I have visited and highly recommend boating on Winnebago in the WI summer. I hope to do some fishing next summer so I can share my experiences in an updated review.