by WisCartography

Allequash Lake

About this Map

I may have gushed a bit in my article about Trout Lake, but directly adjacent to it is another Northwoods gem: Allequash Lake. At approximately 406 acres, Allequash has a very different character, with a largely undeveloped shoreline surrounded by the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest.

The lake has a distinctive two-part shape, with a larger main basin connected through a narrow passage to an elongated southwestern basin. Detailed bathymetric contours show depths reaching approximately 24 feet, along with shallower shelves, points, small islands, and other changes in the underwater landscape. I also mapped bottom characteristics and aquatic vegetation to provide a little more information about what’s happening beneath the surface.

And then there are the fish. The fish of Allequash Lake really stand out, both on my map and in the actual lake, so I decided to make them a particularly prominent part of the design. Along with illustrating species such as Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, and Crappie, I included some tips about the types of areas where you might have luck finding them. For this lake, the fishing information became more than just a list of species. It became part of the map itself.

The surrounding landscape is another big part of Allequash Lake’s appeal. With so much of the shoreline lying within the state forest, the lake retains a quiet, heavily wooded character that contrasts with many more developed Wisconsin lakes. Allequash Creek flows out along the eastern side, and a boat ramp near the narrows provides access to the lake.

I also like the geographic context you get from seeing Allequash alongside its neighbors. Part of massive Trout Lake appears to the west, while Big Muskellunge Lake shows up along the southern edge of the map. Together they give you a sense of just how water-filled this part of Vilas County really is, with lakes, streams, wetlands, and forest stitched together across the landscape.

Allequash may live somewhat in the shadow of its much larger neighbor, Trout Lake, but that’s part of what I like about it. Its undeveloped shoreline, interesting shape, forest setting, and outstanding fishery give it plenty of character of its own. And yes, I probably could gush a little about this one too.