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Eagle River, Wisconsin, Located on World's Largest Chain of 28 Freshwater Lakes,Offers Nature, History, Recreation, Natural Beauty, and Serenity Amid Northern Wisconsin's Woods and WatersBy Naomi K. Shapiro
Near the headwaters of the mighty Wisconsin River in northeastern Wisconsin, the Northwoods vacation community of Eagle River embraces a chain of 28 lakes -- the largest freshwater chain of lakes in the world! Eagle River's development dates with the coming of the railroad, but there were pioneers in the area in the 1850's, when it is believed that Bethuel Draper and "Dutch Pete" Cramer camped in the area in 1853 and were responsible for the name, based on the number of eagles nesting along the river. Since that time, Eagle River has become a prime Northwoods dream destination -- with good reason! About the size of Rhode Island, the Eagle River area boasts more than 1,300 glacial lakes and thousands of acres of Federal and state forest lands, including the nearby Nicolet National Forest and the Northern Highland State Forest. With 11,554 acres of surface area, and total of 174 miles of shoreline, virtually every level of water activity can be enjoyed on Eagle River waters: World class gamefishing, family fishing, sailing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming are just some of the activities visitors of all ages come to enjoy. Just a step out the door in Eagle River you'll find:
The cornucopia of year-round activities includes: Fishing; hunting, biking; golfing, touring; birding; boating; dogsledding; snowshoeing; casinos; seasonal-and-holiday-celebrations; competitions (including fishing derbies), snowmobile championships and marathon running; micro-breweries; cranberry bogs, and a winery. Also, wonderful museums, unique shopping and antiquing opportunities, plus specialties at area bakeries, candy stores, and gift shops.
The fishing draws a lot of people to the area: In fact, people come from all over the world to fish for walleye, northern, muskies and panfish on Eagle River's chain of 28 Lakes. You can fish for the big ones; or fish off of a pier with your kids. No equipment? No problem. In Eagle River, you can hire a fishing guide, or rent just about anything you may need, from boats to fishing poles. Some resorts have the equipment on hand for you to try out. Each year there are several fishing events in the Eagle River area of note. The variety of fishing events includes:
-- Eagle River’s Mega Musky 100 Tournament in June and the National Championship Musky Open Tournament in August, featuring the best professional and amateur anglers competing for the king of gamefish on Eagle River area lakes. For “musky hunters,” there is no greater challenge than attending this world class event.
-- The annual Fishing Has no Boundaries-Eagle River event offers the physically and mentally challenged an opportunity to fish with local volunteers and expert guides, and enjoy an activity that so many take for granted, but would otherwise be denied, were it not for this wonderful and rewarding weekend held annually in June. -- Several fishing workshops and seminars -- for experts or beginners, and even for kids, presented weekly during the summer season at area resorts.
Rather golf than fish? Or do both? Golfers feel up-to-par at 16 courses within minutes of the Eagle River Area. But if you still have water on the brain, so to speak, you can throw your golf clubs into the boat to get to two Eagle River courses. You can also motor-boat into town for an afternoon of shopping; or tour past several mansion-type homes and historic boathouses along the waterways. In addition to fishing, Eagle River has an extremely full calendar of all kinds of events, year-round, including The World Championship Snowmobile Derby (Eagle River is the official "Snowmobile Capital of the World"; Klondike Days, Journeys Marathon, ice skating and hockey at Eagle River's unique indoor arena; an annual Antique Steam and Gas Engine Show and Craft Fair; Women on Snow event; music and dancing; Vintage car shows; Artarama art show, craft shows; and so much more. Special attractions worth noting when you're in Eagle River include:
-- The Northwoods Children's Museum, offering a wealth of interesting, educational science and nature displays, many reflecting the rich heritage and history of northern Wisconsin, as well as a year-round schedule of special events, celebrations, and craft opportunities. (They have a fish pond and fishing identification experience for young children). -- Carl's Wood Art Museum in town brings to life tools, tales, carvings, and memories of the 19th and 20th century logging heydays. -- The Trees for Tomorrow Natural Resources Education Center is an internationally-known center dedicated to the preservation of forests and enhancement of the environment, offering a myriad of hands-on seminars and weekend retreats, including fly fishing, quilting, nature photography, wild edibles, snowshoe making, and cross-country skiing, plus group lodging and home-cooked meals on its forested campus just blocks from downtown Eagle River. -- The Eagle River Historical Museum, known as "The House of Memories," is located in a former CCC cabin on the grounds of the Trees for Tomorrow Natural Resources Education Center.
Located in northeastern Wisconsin’s Northwoods, Eagle River is about 241 miles north of Milwaukee; about 327 miles north of Chicago; and about 239 miles northeast of the Twin Cities. Eagle River's citizens are kind, hospitable, and eager to please -- another reason people come to Eagle River -- for the first time, the second time, or the hundredth time! For more information: Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, 201 N. Railroad St., PO Box 1917, Eagle River, WI 54521; Phone: (800) 359-6315 or (715) 479-6400; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; website: www.eagleriver.org Naomi K. Shapiro is an outdoor and travel writer based in Madison, Wisconsin. She is also the Fishing Editor for Travellady.com (cre8vads@cheqnet.net) |
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Eagles (of course), glittering rivers and streams, nearby
waterfalls; gamefish (of course); bounding wildlife, glorious wildflowers, bike
trails, ski trails, hiking trails; the sights and sounds of nature; and solitude
and serenity for those that seek it. 
As you would expect, Eagle River has a complete range of
accommodations and facilities throughout the area, around lakes and in the woods
-- from rustic and cozy to luxurious --; condos; lodges, cabins; B & B's; RV
accommodations; and campgrounds. (The new Wild Eagle Lodge fronting on Lynx and
Duck Lakes, is "the Northwoods' newest and largest resort"; the Black Bear Lodge
in St. Germain, under the same owners, offers the same high-level pampering and
customer service that many tourists desire). 
When you're hungry -- and you will be -- Eagle River offers
up some marvelous dining experiences -- from gourmet and fine dining at many
area establishments, a one-of-a-kind pancake house; Soda Pops, a new soda,
sandwich and salad shop in a restored late 1800s-style building, with more than
200 varieties of soda pop, and fountain treats; other special bakery and
sandwich shops; cafes, coffee shops, pizza, and just about anything you would
like. And don't forget real Northwoods fish fries! Of course you can
housekeep, and make your own meals and schedules, but, often, at the end of a
hard day of fun, having someone else do the cooking is a very appealing option!