Otter Lake in Chippewa County, Wisconsin

Otter Lake in Chippewa County, Wisconsin

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Otter Lake is a remarkable 602-acre reservoir in Chippewa County near Stanley, created in 1969 when the county constructed a dam at Otter Creek on the site of a historic mid-1800s Northwestern Lumber Company dam that once flushed white pine logs down the Yellow and Chippewa Rivers to sawmills in Chippewa Falls. Featuring a maximum depth of 43 feet with an average depth of 11 feet and approximately 10 miles of scenic shoreline, the lake is renowned as one of the finest fishing lakes in Chippewa County and all of Wisconsin. The dam, which underwent major updates in 1994 and 2011 with manually operated gates still adjusted throughout the year to control water levels, plus two aeration systems operated by Chippewa County during winter to prevent fish kills, has created an exceptional warm-water fishery. This productive lake supports abundant Largemouth Bass as the dominant game fish with specimens typically running 15 to 18 inches and 3 to 4 pounds, excellent Walleye populations including trophy fish exceeding 20 inches, healthy Northern Pike, exceptional Bluegill with faster-than-average growth rates, abundant Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, and Bullhead species creating nonstop action year-round. With four public boat landings providing convenient access, anglers report catching 20 to 25 largemouth bass per outing with Carolina rigs and spinnerbaits working great along the abundant structure, while walleye hunters using fish finders locate trophy fish in the deeper zones. The lake's bottom composition of sand (60 percent), muck (30 percent), and gravel (10 percent) creates excellent habitat, though anglers should watch for submerged logs and tree stumps requiring careful navigation, making it perfect for fishing, boating, water skiing, kayaking, swimming at the county beach, and exceptional ice fishing

Located 7.5 miles north of Stanley on County Highway H and 2.1 miles west of the intersection with County Highway F, Otter Lake sits at the heart of Chippewa County's outdoor recreation area featuring 449 pristine lakes and streams plus 32,000 acres of forests. The 80-acre Otter Lake County Park on the northern shore, developed between 1970 and 1974 after decades of planning that began with a 1938 WPA proposal, features 22 wooded campsites with 20-30-50 amp electrical hookups, a swimming beach, picnic areas, boat launch, scenic day-use area, and beautiful views overlooking the 673-acre flowage (historical reference includes surrounding wetlands). The park was made possible by Green Thumb Program workers who cleared brush from the lake bottom in 1968, and today the county owns 400 acres north of the lake with the park occupying 80 scenic acres. The Otter Lake Booster Club, formed 55 years ago, works tirelessly to enhance and preserve the lake's public value through operating aerators and supporting conservation efforts. Nearby attractions include the charming city of Stanley with Chapman Park's sanitary dump station available to campers, the historic Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in Chippewa Falls offering tours and tastings of Wisconsin's sixth-generation family brewery dating to 1867, Irvine Park's 318 acres featuring a free zoo with exotic animals, the David R. Obey Ice Age Interpretive Center showcasing glacial history, and Lake Wissota just a short drive away. Visitors can enjoy the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area, the Chippewa River State Trail for biking, year-round ATV and snowmobile trails, exceptional dining throughout Stanley and Chippewa Falls, plus easy access to Eau Claire 30 minutes away with the Pablo Center performing arts venue, outdoor sculpture tour, and vibrant downtown music scene

This charming handcrafted laser-cut wooden topographical map of Otter Lake would make a stunning addition to your Stanley-area cabin, Chippewa County lake home, or office, celebrating your connection to one of Wisconsin's finest fishing reservoirs created over 50 years ago through community dedication. The artistic design features a natural wood top layer that beautifully showcases the 602-acre flowage with approximately 10 miles of shoreline, the historic dam constructed in 1969 on the site of the mid-1800s lumber company structure, the 80-acre Otter Lake County Park on the northern shore with 22 campsites and swimming beach, four public boat launches, and the two aeration system locations preventing winterkill. The water depths are represented through a gradient flowing from light blue in the 11-foot average areas to deeper blue at the impressive 43-foot maximum depth, while every submerged log requiring careful navigation, prime largemouth bass structure where 15-to-18-inch fish abound, walleye hot spots in deeper waters, the manually operated dam gates, and distinctive features maintained by the dedicated Otter Lake Booster Club for 55 years are precisely laser-etched into the multi-layered wood construction. This three-dimensional piece of wall art beautifully captures the exceptional fishing heritage where trophy walleye, chunky bass, and abundant panfish create nonstop action, the historic logging-era dam legacy, and community stewardship of this beloved Chippewa County treasure just minutes from Leinenkugel's Brewery and the scenic beauty of western Wisconsin's lake country

Dimensions:

Small: 8"x12"

Medium: 12"x18"

Large: 16"x24"

Extra Large: 20"x30"

XX Large: 24"x36"

Gigantic 30"x45"

Cribbage Boards - 10"x14" - Your choice of Maple or Cherry wood, 2 or 3 runs, and your choice of peg colors.