Welcome to Clam Lake, Wisconsin

Clam Lake, Wisconsin - Northern Wisconsin Vacations in The Elk Capital of Wisconsin

Clam Lake, Wisconsin is located in the heart of the 860,000 acre Chequamegon National Forest near the intersection of Ashland, Bayfield & Sawyer Counties in Northern Wisconsin. Beauty and wildlife abound as does a number of modern comforts including lodging, restaurants, services and shops. Each season offers a fresh opportunity to experience all the natural allure and recreational opportunities that await your next visit to North Central Wisconsin.

Like spokes on a wheel, nationally designated scenic roadways and year round trails radiate out from Clam Lake, Wisconsin. This community is a natural hub in the middle of the Chequamegon National Forest and its miles of snowmobile trails, scenic rivers, popular fishing lakes, ATV trail systems, golf courses, and the thousands and thousands acres of prime hunting land to explore.

 Clam Lake is an ideal base camp from which to explore all Northern Wisconsin has to offer! Clam Lake offers a variety of lodging options including motel rooms, national forest campgrounds, rustic cabins and modern vacation home rentals. There are multiple dining options with restaurants and taverns serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a convenience store with gas, ice, and groceries. Shops in Clam Lake have fishing tackle, live bait, groceries, gas, ATM, clothing and unique gifts. Services in the area include fishing guides, upland game bird guiding services, auto body repair, real estate services and ATV and snowmobile rentals.

Opportunities for fun, adventurous day trips abound with beautiful drives starting in Clam Lake and leading to nearby Hayward, Cable, Park Falls, Ashland, Bayfield and Lake Superior. Visitors and vacationers regularly use Clam Lake, WI as a convenient destination for their year round travels. Each day offers another opportunity to explore and enjoy the natural beauty, world class events, cultural attractions, nationally known trails systems and Wisconsin's wild elk herd! Clam Lake is convenient to the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, Birkie X-C Ski Race, and the many Northern Wisconsin seasonal festivals.

ATV and snowmobile trails converge at Clam Lake and great hiking; mountain biking and skiing opportunities are only a short drive including Copper Falls State Park; St. Peter's Dome & Morgan Falls, Juniper Rock Overlook & Old Swedish Homestead Sites on the North Country Trail; and the American Birkebeiner Ski Trail, Mukwonago and Rock Lake ski trails and CAMBA mountain bike trail systems.

Fishing is great on the many area lakes and rivers including Upper Clam Lake, Lower Clam Lake, Day Lake, West Fork of the Chippewa River and nearby waters like Lake Namakagon, Spider Lake, Moose Lake and others.

Elk Capital of Wisconsin

In 1995, 25 wild Michigan elk were experimentally reintroduced into a remote area of the Chequamegon National Forest near Clam Lake, Wisconsin. They've since been some of the most studied animals in the history of Wisconsin wildlife management. The elk were monitored by a research team from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point led by the late Dr. Ray Anderson until 1999. Once the research was completed, the field responsibility for management of the elk herd was transferred to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Today, the Clam Lake elk herd is estimated to have reached around 180 animals and growing. Much of the original herd remains within a relatively well-defined range in the vicinity of Clam Lake, Wisconsin and can often be seen from Area roadways. Please take care and take heed of elk crossing signs and flashing lights posted on area roads marking some common locations of members of the Clam Lake elk herd. Please drive safely in elk crossing zones.

There is a beautiful park in downtown Clam Lake which contains elk info including an interactive computer kiosk with updated elk information available on it.

Elk Information Kiosk in Downtown Clam Lake

Looking for more elk info? Be sure to stop and visit the informational kiosk. The kiosk is designed to provide visitors to the area with expansive information about the resident elk herd and their habitat. The program provides information about the history of elk in Wisconsin and even has a video clip of the original elk reintroduction. Most importantly, the program contains other tools and information to help visitors experience elk including wildlife spotting guides, maps and directions to nearby viewing areas.

The Elk Information Kiosk can be found in front (or on the east side) of the Clam Lake Junction gas station in Clam Lake Community Park. The Community Park (kiosk) is handicap accessible.

West Fork Waterway Association Inc.

West Fork Waterway Association Inc. is an association of concerned people for the preservation and protection of the historic West Fork Waterway and wildlife area for recreation and public enjoyment of its scenic beauty today and in the future. 

WFWA Inc. is on the West Fork of the Chippewa River and includes the area from the Day Lake Dam to the Highway 77 Dam. It is located in the community of Clam Lake, Township Of Gordon Wisconsin and will assist the Township of Gordon in funding expenses related to the maintenance and eventual replacement of the Highway 77 Dam.

Click Here to Help the West Fork Waterway Association Save the Dam!