Crystal Lake, Wisconsin, USA

Crystal Lake is a very popular fishing lake in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. With 152 acres of deep, blue water and nearly three miles of shoreline, the lake is just the right size for an afternoon of fishing, boating and swimming. Close proximity to two State Wildlife Areas gives visitors access to unlimited outdoor activities. Crystal Lake is a beautiful, spring-fed lake. The lake boasts some of the…
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All About Crystal Lake, WI

Crystal Lake is a very popular fishing lake in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. With 152 acres of deep, blue water and nearly three miles of shoreline, the lake is just the right size for an afternoon of fishing, boating and swimming. Close proximity to two State Wildlife Areas gives visitors access to unlimited outdoor activities.

Crystal Lake is a beautiful, spring-fed lake. The lake boasts some of the clearest water in southeastern Wisconsin, thanks in part to the Department of Natural Resources and the Crystal Lake Property Owners Association that constantly monitors the water quality. Most of the lake’s shoreline is developed with seasonal and permanent homes, but a public boat launch on the southwest bay of the lake grants visitors access to the water. Boating and fishing are the main activities on the lake. Anglers will find healthy populations of northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, perch, and bluegill. A unique boating ordinance on the lake prohibits the use of motors on Sundays to give non-motorized watercraft control of the lake. In the winter months, ice fishing is a popular winter sport, as are cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

One mile north of Crystal Lake sits 300-acre Elkhart Lake, one of the heartland’s oldest resort lakes. Elkhart Lake is an extremely clear and clean lake, ideal for swimming and boating. The water is home to brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, and northern pike. A public boat launch and swimming area are available to guests and residents. Established resorts and modern condos along the lake provide many vacation rental options.

Lodging and real estate for purchase can be found within a short drive of Crystal Lake. Ideally situated one hour from Milwaukee and two and a half hours from Chicago, there is much to see and do in the area. Sheboygan County sits on the western shores of Lake Michigan, just 30 minutes to the east. Activities and exhibits along the Great Lake’s shoreline will please those who enjoy large bodies of water. The Village of Elkhart Lake is a charming little town that caters to lake visitors. Multiple golf courses in the area also provide recreation for the golfers in the family. For an interesting tour of the area, consider an hour long bird’s-eye view of Sheboygan County by way of a small airplane ride.

The Sheboygan Marsh State Wildlife Area is located north of Crystal Lake and covers over 14,000 acres of land and water. Visitors to the Wildlife Area can enjoy hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, wildlife viewing and bird watching. The Sheboygan River flows through the marsh and is great for fishing and canoeing.

South of Crystal Lake, the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest stretches 30 miles across Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, and Washington Counties. Made up of unique geological formations created by retreating glaciers, the forest is managed for forestry and outdoor recreation. Visitors can explore and enjoy almost 30,000 acres of rolling hills, sparkling lakes, dense forests, and vast grasslands. Campgrounds can be found throughout the forest, along with opportunities for fishing, swimming, kayaking, rafting, picnicking, hiking, and biking.

Visitors to Crystal Lake will have no trouble enjoying the clear water and surrounding area of Sheboygan County. Hike quiet woodland trails, boat, fish or swim in a number of beautiful lakes, or just sit back and relax on the private dock of lakefront vacation rentals. This pristine lake is sure to become a repeat vacation destination for anglers and anyone who loves the great outdoors.

Things to Do at Crystal Lake

These are some activities in the Crystal Lake, WI area visitors can enjoy:

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Fishing
  • Ice Fishing
  • Boating
  • Swimming
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Golf
  • Camping
  • Campground
  • Picnicking
  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Cross-Country Skiing
  • Snowmobiling
  • Hunting
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Birding
  • State Forest

What Kind of Fish Are in Crystal Lake?

Crystal Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

  • Bass
  • Black Bass
  • Bluegill
  • Brook Trout
  • Brown Trout
  • Crappie
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Muskellunge
  • Northern Pike
  • Perch
  • Pike
  • Rainbow Trout
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Sunfish
  • Trout
  • Walleye
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Find Places to Stay at Crystal Lake

If you’re considering a Crystal Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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More Sites to Book a Crystal Lake Vacation

Our interactive Crystal Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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Crystal Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

Surface Area: 153 acres

Shoreline Length: 3 miles

Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 932 feet

Average Depth: 20 feet

Maximum Depth: 61 feet

Water Volume: 2,966 acre-feet

Trophic State: Mesotrophic

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