Under An Hour From Milwaukee Is Wisconsin's Darling Forest Lake With Camping, Fishing, And Boating

Minnesota might be nicknamed the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," but it's neighbor, Wisconsin, actually has more of them. Of those bodies of water, some are quite small, others haven't been surveyed, and many haven't been given a name. Picturesque Pike Lake, however, is one that stands out. 

Pike Lake is located in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, established in 1937 to protect the glacially carved landscape of southeastern Wisconsin. The massive state forest, which covers more than 50,000 acres, spreads across five distinct sections. The Northern and Southern Units are the largest parts of the state forest, while the Lapham Peak, Loew Lake, and Pike Lake Units focus on specific geological features within it.

The Pike Lake Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest was created in the 1960s, when Wisconsin started buying land around the eastern shore of Pike Lake. The 750-acre unit now contains a 1,350-foot glacial mound called Powder Hill, and nine hiking trails that wind through the forest. It borders Pike Lake, a 522-acre kettle lake fed by clear spring water. Along the edge of the lake, you'll find sandy beaches, as well as a boat launch, a fishing pier, and picnic shelters. The Pike Lake Unit sits right outside of Hartford, a Wisconsin city with quality golf, lake fun, and a walkable downtown. It's only 35 miles outside of Milwaukee, the largest city in the Badger State.

When you arrive at the Pike Lake Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, you'll immediately want to head out onto the calm water. If you have your own watercraft, you can access the lake using the boat launch along the southeast corner of the lake, which also has plenty of boat trailer parking. Those with non-motorized vessels can use the dedicated kayak, canoe, and paddle board launch site nearby.

If you'd prefer to rent, Pontoons on the Move delivers pontoon boats directly to Pike Lake, allowing you to spend the day on the water without the hassle. One Google reviewer raved, "The boat was surely the nicest boat I've ever rented, supplied with everything we needed, including a cooler with ice and water!"

Once you're on the lake, you can start casting for fish. Pike Lake is a well-known spot for game fish, especially walleye. You may also catch large and smallmouth bass, northern pike, and panfish here. You don't have to be out on the water to go fishing, though. The Pike Lake Unit has an accessible fishing pier just north of the boat launch, or you can simply cast a line along the shore. The fishing season in Wisconsin typically runs from the beginning of May until early March, but this may vary depending on the lake and species you're after. All anglers aged 16 and older must have a valid state fishing license to cast into Pike Lake. 

Those who wish to spend a night by the lake will find two camping areas in the Pike Lake Unit's northeast corner. The Sunrise Campground features 32 wooded and open campsites, some with electric hookups. Each has a fire pit, picnic table, and tent pad, while bathrooms and showers are shared. The second option is a backpack campsite. These three primitive campsites connect to the Ice Age Trail, a 1,200-mile national scenic trail.

To visit Kettle Moraine State Forest, you must purchase a daily or annual vehicle admission pass from the Wisconsin State Park System. There's an additional nightly fee to stay at both the Sunrise Campground, open from early April to the third weekend in October, and the backpack campsites, which are open all year. 

Pike Lake is less than an hour's drive northwest of Milwaukee – a mouth-watering Wisconsin city known for cheese, sausage, and beer – making it an easy getaway from the city. Travelers from out of state can fly into Wisconsin's largest airport, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE). The airport receives nonstop flights from many major cities across the United States, and is roughly 40 miles from the lake. If you visit in autumn, be sure to check out the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive, one of the best drives to see Wisconsin's range of fall foliage. The route, which covers 115 miles and crosses through six counties, passes right by the eastern shore of Pike Lake.