When thinking of summer in Wisconsin, the state’s many lakes probably come to mind. With more than 15,000 of them within the Badger State’s borders—plus the shared great lakes of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior—there’s a lot of these freshwater bodies to love. In fact, there are more than 15,000 documented lakes in Wisconsin, which trails only Minnesota and Alaska for the most lakes in the United States.

Admittedly, some of those are one- or two-acre ponds, and a few are only about one yard deep. Strangely, approximately 60 percent of Wisconsin’s documented lakes don’t even have names. Conversely, some lake names are repeated multiple times. While all of our state’s lakes are different and special in their own way, only one of them can hold the title of Wisconsin’s Best Lake. And that winning lake is going to be determined this month.

From August 4 through August 26, readers are encouraged to cast their votes in a six-round Wisconsin Lake Bracket. We’ve rounded up a total of 64 INLAND Wisconsin lakes (so no Lake Michigan or Lake Superior!). Did we leave out some stuff that you feel should’ve been listed? Probably! (Get over it, if at all possible.) Round 1 runs through August 10. Subsequent rounds will take place August 11-14, August 15-18, August 19-21, August 22-24, and the Finals will run through 11:59 p.m. on August 26. Vote early and vote as many times as you’d like. Round 1 of Milwaukee Record‘s Wisconsin Lake Bracket—sponsored by Lakefront Brewery—can be found below!



L Region

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Lake Winnebago vs. Kangaroo Lake

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Lake Poygan vs. Moose Lake

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Lake Mendota vs. Pine Lake

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Lake Saint Croix vs. Balsam Lake

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Lake Wissota vs. Buffalo Lake

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Lake DuBay vs. Lake Noquebay

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Long Lake vs. Shell Lake

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Lake Kegonsa vs. Namekagon Lake

A Region

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Lake Peppin vs. Mauthe Lake

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Castle Rock Lake vs. Crawling Stone Lake

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Lake Butte des Mortes vs. Bone Lake

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Lake Wisconsin vs. Red Cedar Lake

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Geneva Lake vs. Lake Waubesa

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Trout Lake vs. Yellow Lake

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Tomahawk Lake vs. Pewaukee Lake

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Grindstone Lake vs. North Twin Lake

K Region

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Petenwell Lake vs. Elkhart Lake

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Turtle Flambeau Flowage vs. Bear Lake

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Lake Onalaska vs. Big Saint Germain Lake

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Beaver Dam Lake vs. Lake Wausau

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Lac Course Oreilles vs. Melting Lake

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Pelican Lake vs. Lake Nokomis

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Lake Monona vs. Big Lake

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Gile Flowage vs. Rush Lake

E Region

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Lake Chippewa vs. Munger Lake

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Lake Koshkonong vs. Legend Lake

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Green Lake vs. Chief Lake

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Shawano Lake vs. Thunder Lake

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Puckaway Lake vs. Delevan Lake

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Fence Lake vs. Muskego Lake

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Round Lake vs. Lake Chetac

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Sinissippi Lake vs. Fox Lake

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