Lac Courte Oreilles, Natural lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin.
Lac Courte Oreilles is a natural lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin, with an irregular shape dotted by multiple peninsulas and bays. Its waters reach depths of about 90 feet and stretch for roughly 6 miles across the landscape.
French fur trappers named the lake after meeting Ottawa Anishinaabe peoples in the area around 1660 when European exploration was beginning. This early contact shaped the lake's role in the region's story.
The lake holds deep meaning for the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, who continue to rely on its waters for traditional ways of life. You can see this connection reflected in how the community uses and cares for the water and surrounding lands.
The lake has several public boat access points scattered along its shoreline. It is also well known as a fishing destination where visitors can pursue various fish species throughout the year.
Grindstone Creek flows into the northeast shore while a connection to Little Lac Courte Oreilles on the southeast side leads to the Chippewa River. These waterways create a route through a wider water system in the region.
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