$511,296Average Value$221Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Lakefront living beckons with beauty and year-round recreation
A hydroelectric dam on the Chippewa River created Lake Wissota in 1917, but the neighborhood named after the 6,000-acre reservoir relies on something more than just early 20th century concrete to thrive these days. Sunrises, sunsets, fishing boats, snowmobiles and cookouts have attracted residents for decades. “Many families in Lake Wissota have lived here for generations,’’ says Realtor Caleb Stelter of Coldwell Banker Brokerage/Residential. “Some homes have been passed down for generations, as well. Families love the lake lifestyle, but I would say that for many, living in Lake Wissota is just in their blood.”
Lake Wissota is within the town of Lafayette in Chippewa County, east of Chippewa Falls. Located between the actual lake and Little Lake Wissota, the community of about 5 square miles has a population of about 2,800.
Residents enjoy the view of the Chippewa at Riverfront Park.
Brunet Island is a unique land formation in Lake Wissota.
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Lake Wissota State Park welcomes exploration and recreation
Lakefront living in Wisconsin is a two-season experience. Boating, fishing and beachside sunbathing are prevalent in summer, and ice-fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing take over in winter. Lake Wissota State Park is one of the main attractions year-round, featuring more than 1,000 acres, split between forest land, open prairie and recreational sites. The park faces Lake Wissota on the east side and attracts outdoor enthusiasts, athletes and nature lovers to its camping, boating, swimming, and winter sports.
Ray’s Beach is a frequently visited spot at the south end of Lake Wissota with swimming areas and campsites. Hiking trails provide stunning views, and visitors will find public restrooms. Thrill seekers can head to Skydive Wissota, which conducts sport-parachute training and tandem jumps out of a grass airstrip a half-mile north of Bateman and 3 miles east of Ray’s Beach.
Ray's Beach is a small beach on Lake Wissota great for swimming in the summer.
The Lake Trail is one of many great hiking trails throughout Lake Wissota State Park.
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Lakefront homes boast spectacular views and retreat-style homes
While older homes in Lake Wissota can date back to the 1940s, the median year of construction is 2018. For-sale properties are often hard to come by, but examples are a mix of small fixer-uppers, well-maintained mid-sized homes and expansive retreats.
Lakefront-facing apartment-style condominiums have recently sold for about $170,000. Two-bedroom condominium homes with a boat slip and an attached one-car garage are maintenance-free and start at $475,000. Raised ranch-style homes and A-frame waterfront retreats range from $500,000 to $825,000. Many homes offer boat sheds or extra garage space for snowmobile storage. Gas fireplaces are common, as are finished basements, broad patios, flower gardens and gazebos.
New development is coming, too. “After years of minimal development, we now have many new homes in Lake Wissota, with Lemay Acres,'' says Stelter. "They’re building about 250 single-family homes and a few twin homes as well. They’re not waterfront but close enough to make buyers happy. Taxes can really be high on the lake, so this fits a need.”
Wissota Acres is a smaller, newer project of about 12 lots expected to begin construction in 2025.
Many of the ranch style homes around Lake Wissota are surrounded by large trees.
Lake homes are the most sought after in the Lake Wissota area.
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Outdoor events at Lake Wissota are year-round
Locals look forward to Lake Wissota’s annual Candlelight Ski, Hike and Snowshoe event on a Sunday evening in January. Nearby Chippewa Falls hosts the yearly Wissota Trail Blazers snowmobile drag races each February, promoted by a local volunteer snowmobile club.
Waterfront dining and dancing to local bands
The View Bar and Grill on County Highway X is one of the most visible spots in Lake Wissota. On summer days, live bands attract crowds for music, pizza, burgers and wings. Volleyball courts are also a frequently used amenity. Docks encourage arrival by boat, and a party bus also delivers patrons and takes them home again. Canoes, kayaks and other watercraft are for rent.
The Wissota Lodge and Event Center has a restaurant with dine-in or takeout service that’s open Thursday through Sunday.
Shopping destinations include Dollar Tree and Family Fare Supermarket. Jacobson’s Ace Hardware is located along County Highway J. In nearby Chippewa Falls locals enjoy Micon Cinemas and Collective Charm, a long-standing antique emporium.
During the wamer months you can enjoy the view of Lake Wissota from the balcony at The View.
Lake Wissota residents enjoy shopping for hidden treasures at Collective Charm in Chippewa Falls.
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Chippewa Falls schools serve Lake Wissota students
The Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District is graded B-plus by Niche and operates seven schools. Stillson Elementary is near U.S. Highway 29 and 160th Street and is graded A-minus by Niche. Chippewa Falls Middle is graded B-minus and is 6 miles west of Stillson Elementary. Students at Chippewa Falls High can sign up for Advanced Placement and college preparatory classes. Clubs include forensics, robotics, dance and e-sports. The school has a B-plus grade from Niche.
Wisconsin offers a wide variety of school choice options, including assigned district public schools, charter schools, private schools (private pay), open enrollment and parental choice program schools. Options can change yearly, and parents are advised to conduct thorough research.
Stillson Elementary School is rated an A- according to niche.
Chippewa Falls Middle School has a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1.
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By boat or car, Lake Wissota provides transportation options
While most residents will drive to work, school and shopping destinations, Chippewa Valley Transit offers bus service to Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls. A regular shuttle service from the Pablo Center in Eau Claire to Lake Wissota Lodge is available. U.S. Highway 29 and County Road X encircle the Lake Wissota neighborhood. U.S. Highway 29 leads west about 100 miles to Minneapolis and east about 180 miles to Green Bay, while U.S. Route 53 leads south to Eau Claire.
Chippewa Valley Regional Airport is 15 miles southwest. Residents who live on the lake can rent boats at Lake Wissota State Park.
Lake Wissota’s overall CAP Index crime score is 2 (on a scale of 1 to 10), while a score of 4 is the U.S. average.
Written By
Sarah Albiston
Photography Contributed By
Tyler McNair
Video By
Ellie Brown
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dana Yoder,
an experienced agent in this area.
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