We have a winner! Following a nearly month-long competition that found a field of 64 inland Wisconsin lakes facing one another in six heated rounds of voting, one local water body can officially be considered the state’s premier lake. Congratulations to Lake Butte des Morts, which won our Wisconsin Lake Bracket.
Despite having a maximum depth of just nine feet, this 8,575-acre lake in Winnebago County cruised through its region en route to claiming this lofty honor by besting Bone Lake in the first round, followed by toppling Trout Lake, Tomahawk Lake, Mauthe Lake, and Big Green Lake in order to reach the finals. In that last round, Lake Butte des Morts upset Lake Winnebago—Wisconsin’s largest inland water body and its neighbor located just few miles to the east—to claim the title by a margin of only FIVE VOTES.
In honor of its title, Lake Butte des Morts will have a rock acknowledging its “Best Lake” distinction thrown into it by a member of the Milwaukee Record staff. Thanks to all who voted in this admittedly niche bracket and to Lakefront Brewery for sponsoring it. Congratulations to Lake Butte des Morts. Its water quality might be “impaired,” but as far as we’re concerned, it’s now Wisconsin’s finest lake.
