Big Saint Germain Lake
| Big Saint Germain Lake | |
|---|---|
| Location | Vilas County, Wisconsin |
| Type | Lake |
| Primary inflows | Lake Content, Lost Creek, Plum Creek, and Mud Creek |
| Primary outflows | Fawn Lake |
| Surface area | 1,622 acres |
| Average depth | ~21 ft |
| Settlements | St. Germain, Wisconsin |
The Big St. Germain Lake is a state-owned 1,622-acre glacial drainage lake located in Vilas County, Wisconsin.[1] The lake has a maximum depth of 42 ft with an average depth of 21 ft and is noted for its diverse fish habitat and spring-fed water sources. The lake is located to the north of St. Germain, Wisconsin.[2]
History
The lake was formed during the Last Ice Age as glaciers carved paths through North America and water filled their depressions as the ice retreated.[3] Records from 1857 show that Native Americans were referring to the lake as "St. Germain" with a native burial ground was located on the south shore. It is likely the body got its name from Jean Francois St. Germaine, a French soldier who had married into a local tribe after deserting New France.[4] His descendants are among the Lac du Flambeau band, who influenced the naming of the lake. The lake was historically used by the Ojibwe for a hunting and fishing territory before European settlement.[5]
In the early 20th century, logging, trapping, and tourism became central to the region as more settlers arrived. The lake's natural sand-gravel-muck substrate and spring inflows greatly preserve the water quality.[1] Over time, advanced hydrology efforts linked Big St. Germain to Lake Content to the south-east and Fawn Lake to the south-west, all of which then flow into the St. Germain River System eventually reaching Pickerel Lake.[2] In 2008, local leaders established the Big St. Germain Area Lakes District (BSGALD) to protect water quality and prevent invasive species.[6] There is a state-owned boat launch located on the north shore of the lake, and a 12.6-mile hiking trail surrounds much of the lake.[7]
Habitat
The lake is home to a number of species of animals and plants, as well as amphibians, insects, and birds. The lake provides a habitat to:
Aquatic habitat[8]
- Muskellunge
- Walleye
- Northern pike
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Bluegill
- Rock bass
- White suckers
- Blak crappie
Waterfowl and shoreline birds[9]
- Mallard duck
- Teal duck
- Canada geese
- Bald eagle
- Osprey
- Great blue heron
- Green heron
- Kingfisher
Mammals and amphibians[8]
- Beaver
- Otter
- Mink
- Raccoon
- Deer
- Black bear
- Frogs
- Toads
- Salamanders
- Snapping turtles
- Painted turtles
Invertebrate and plants[1]
- Dragonflies
- Damselflies
- Mayflies
- Clams
- Snails
- Coontail
- Waterweed
- Pondweed
References
- ^ a b c "Big Saint Germain Lake". Vilas County, WI. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ a b "Big St. Germain Lake District | St. Germain, Wisconsin". www.townofstgermain.org. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ "Ice Age Geology". WGNHS. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ Entz, Gary (2018-08-15). "How the Town of St. Germain Got Its Name". WXPR. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ "Wisconsin Lakes". apps.dnr.wi.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ "Big St. Germain Area Lakes District Meeting | St. Germain, Wisconsin". www.townofstgermain.org. 2024-04-03. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ "Twin Waters Resort | St. Germain, WI". Wisconsin Resorts. 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ a b "Wisconsin Lakes". apps.dnr.wi.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ "Big St Germain Lake, Wisconsin, Fishing Guide Reports & Conditions". upnorthfishing.com. Retrieved 2025-08-08.