Shawano Lake

Infobox lake
lake_name = Shawano Lake
image_lake = ShawanoLakeWisconsin.jpeg
caption_lake = Looking west from Cecil's park
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Wisconsin
basin_countries = United States
coords = coord|44.82249|N|88.4887|W|region:US-WI_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = Loon Creek
outflow =Wolf River
catchment =
length =
width =
area = convert|6178|acre|abbr=on
depth = convert|9|ft|m|abbr=on
max-depth = convert|42|ft|m|abbr=on
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = convert|802|ft|m
islands = Schumacher Island
cities = Shawano, Cecil

Shawano Lake is a lake situated in Shawano County in northeastern Wisconsin. Shawano Lake is a hard water drainage lake with multiple inlets and one major outlet, the Wolf River. A dam on the Wolf River located in the City of Shawano raises the water levels of Shawano Lake. Shawano Lake is approximately convert|6178|acre|km2. The Towns of Westcott, and Washington, and the Village of Cecil border Shawano Lake. The average depth is approximately convert|9|ft|m with a maximum depth of approximately convert|42|ft|m. The shoreline length is estimated at convert|18|mi|km. [ [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/fhp/lakes/lakemap/0322800z.htm Shawano Lake Map - Shawano County, Wisconsin - WDNR ] ]

Activities

Shawano Lake is a popular recreation lake for fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing, bird watching, hunting, etc. Shawano Lake is currently a eutrophic lake with elevated levels of algae blooms, nutrients, and nuisance aquatic plants. Aquatic plant management is a major management objective for Shawano Lake.

Shawano Lake is one of the most heavily fished lakes in the area. Shawano lake has many types of fish including but not limited to walleye, largemouth bass and panfish in the early season and ice fisherman concentrating on northern pike and panfish. Fishing tournaments are a common occurrence on the lake.

The lake is used for ice fishing in the winter. Two Ice racing tracks are used on the lake in the winter.

Development

Shawano Lake is heavily developed with dense residential housing surrounding the majority of the shoreline. Shawano Lake is within the Shawano Lake Sanitary District and all dwellings have sanitary sewers and public water supply. There are many resorts and cabin rentals to choose from on Shawano lake. [ [http://www.shawanolake.org Shawano Lake, WI 54166, Community Web Site :: start ] ]

Fishing and Wildlife

Shawano Lake is managed as a warm water fishery. The primary gamefish species are northern pike, largemouth bass, and walleye. The predominate panfish are bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch and pumpkinseed. [ [http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/gmu/wolf/surfacewaterfiles/watersheds/wr15.html Shawano Lake Watershed (WR15) ] ] Good natural reproduction supports this fine fishery. Over the last ten years a musky population has been established and is maintained by annual stocking. A walleye spawning reef was developed on Shawano Lake in the mid 1980's. Annual fall electrofishing survey's are done on the lake to monitor the reproduction success of walleye and largemouth bass with periodic spring fyke netting surveys conducted to monitor the overall fishery.

Shawano Lake is important for migrating waterfowl as a resting stop. Numerous species of wildlife inhabit shoreland areas where the shoreline is undeveloped. Standing dead and dying trees (snags) on the uplands provide habitat for various species of birds and insects, including bald eagles, bats, woodpeckers, and songbirds. Several species of mammals and birds use cavities in trees for den sites. Salamanders, small mammals, and invertebrates use downed and rotting logs for protection, feeding and breeding sites. Down trees in or at the water's edge (woody cover) are especially valuable for resting and feeding areas. Aquatic and wetland vegetation present at or near the waters. edge provides critical habitat for small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and fish at all life stages.

Lake Access

There are approximately 24 access points on Shawano Lake. The boat landings and access points are a combination of public and private landings, along with town owned fire lanes. A county park is located on Shawano Lake with a swimming beach and boat launch. A second park is located within the Village of Cecil, which is used as an access point for one of the ice racing tracks.

Shawano Municipal Airport is also located on Shawano Lake and uses part of the lake for a runway. It is frequently used for pontoon plane take-off and landings during the summer months.

References