US lakes & ponds
Wisconsin › La Crosse County › Hamilton › Neshonoc Lake

Neshonoc Lake

Hamilton · West Salem, Wisconsin — La Crosse County.

Share:TextEmailFacebookX
607Surface acres
2Public access sites

Surface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 41240185).

Location & fast facts

Where Neshonoc Lake is in Wisconsin

The red circle marks Neshonoc Lake.

Fast facts

About Neshonoc Lake

  • County: La Crosse
  • Shore towns: Hamilton, West Salem
  • Mapped as: Lake or pond (USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
  • Distance: about 169 mi from Milwaukee and 101 mi from Wausau, straight-line (not driving distance)

Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline.

Fishing in Wisconsin

Official Wisconsin DNR pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.

Good for & watch for

Good for

  • Boating. 2 public trailer launches listed (see access)
  • Fishing. Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Panfish and Catfish
  • Camping. 10 campgrounds within 15 mi, 1 on the shore (list)

Watch for

  • Non-native/invasive species. Curly-leaf pondweed recorded. Clean, drain and dry your boat and gear.
  • Boat traffic. A public trailer launch means motorboats share the water; expect more traffic on summer weekends.
  • Cold water. Water stays cold well into late spring and turns cold again in fall. Wear a life jacket when paddling in the shoulder seasons.

Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.

Official lake data (Wisconsin DNR)

11 ftMaximum depth
737Acres (state figure)

Fish species listed by the Wisconsin DNR (with DNR abundance rating): Panfish (present), Largemouth Bass (present), Northern Pike (present), Catfish (present).

Average depth not published.

DNR lake class: Complex - Riverine

Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Lake Page for Neshonoc Lake (WBIC 1653500); maximum depth and acreage from the DNR lake classification data. Acreage here can differ slightly from our mapped outline.

Lake map

Neshonoc Lake shoreline, boat launches & beaches

Neshonoc Lakeside Camp Resort (campground)Neshonoc South Boat Ramp (Boat launch)1Neshonoc Swarthout Park Boat Ramp (Boat launch)2½ mileN

Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.

Boat launch Campground
  1. 1Neshonoc South Boat Ramp
    Boat launch · Hamilton
  2. 2Neshonoc Swarthout Park Boat Ramp
    Boat launch · Hamilton

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 41240185), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: Wisconsin DNR boat access sites. Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Campgrounds near Neshonoc Lake

We found 10 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Neshonoc Lake, 3 of them within 5 miles. 1 is right on the shore. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.

4 more within 15 miles

All campgrounds & RV parks in Wisconsin

Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.

Campground data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.

Conditions right now

Air temperature & conditions (nearest NWS station)Loading…
Fetching the latest National Weather Service observation…

Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (43.9074, -91.0540). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Neshonoc Lake. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.

Sun, moon & best fishing times

Sun & moon at Neshonoc Lake

Best fishing times

Major periodMinor periodDaylight

    Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in CT (America/Chicago), and accurate to within a few minutes.

    Boat launches & access sites

    2 public access sites listed, 2 with a boat ramp or trailer launch.

    SiteTownOwnerTypeParkingFeeUsesMap
    Neshonoc South Boat RampHamiltonFacilities Dept.Boat ramp · Gravel ramp——Boating43.9059, -91.0647
    Neshonoc Swarthout Park Boat RampHamiltonFacilities Dept.Boat ramp · Concrete ramp——Boating43.9103, -91.0759

    Wisconsin DNR boat access sites

    Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.

    Non-native/invasive species

    Reported on or near Neshonoc Lake

    Clean, Drain, Dry. Remove plants and mud, drain all water, and dry your boat, trailer and gear before moving to another water.

    USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database

    USGS records matched to this water by location (within about 150 m of the outline) or by the place name in the record. A record shows a sighting was reported; it doesn't prove the species is still there. As of Oct 10, 2026.

    Contact & official info

    Questions about Neshonoc Lake

    How big is Neshonoc Lake?

    Neshonoc Lake covers about 607 acres in Hamilton and West Salem, Wisconsin (La Crosse County).

    How deep is Neshonoc Lake?

    The maximum recorded depth is 11 feet, according to the Wisconsin DNR Lake Pages.

    What fish are in Neshonoc Lake?

    Wisconsin DNR Lake Pages lists Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Panfish and Catfish.

    Is there a public boat launch on Neshonoc Lake?

    Yes. 2 public trailer launches are listed: Neshonoc South Boat Ramp and Neshonoc Swarthout Park Boat Ramp. Check posted fees and parking rules.

    Are there campgrounds near Neshonoc Lake?

    Yes. We list 10 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles, 3 of them within 5 miles.

    What towns are on Neshonoc Lake?

    Neshonoc Lake touches Hamilton and West Salem in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

    Share a tip or fishing report

    Know Neshonoc Lake? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).

    Lakes & ponds nearby

    Straight-line distance between lake centers. All Wisconsin lakes & ponds · All waters in Hamilton