Okauchee Lake and Ashippun Lake give Oconomowoc two distinct starting points for a stay by the water. Okauchee Lake is in the southeastern part of the Town of Oconomowoc, while Ashippun Lake is in the central part; their areas and named boat access points also differ. If you’re looking for a hotel, it’s best to decide first which lake or activity you want to shape your days. This lets you base the rest of your planning on specific interests.

Two Lakes, Different Scales

Okauchee Lake covers 1,187 acres, while Ashippun Lake covers 84 acres. By area, Okauchee is about fourteen times as large. The lakes are also in different parts of the Town: Okauchee in the southeast, Ashippun in the center. This combination of location and size offers a clear starting point when choosing a lake as your focus. To decide where you’d like to go by the water, you can then consider the specifically named shoreline access points.

Boat Access on Three Shores

There are two locations to distinguish at Okauchee Lake. The Town of Oconomowoc access point is on the southwest shore, off Bauer’s Lane. The Okauchee Lake Launch, by contrast, is on the southeast shore. This DNR boat launch covers 1 acre and has parking and restrooms. The different shore locations can help you tell the two access points apart when planning your visit.

The Ashippun Lake Launch is on the west shore of Ashippun Lake. It is a DNR boat launch covering 30 acres. Check the current conditions at the access point you plan to use before your visit. This lets you plan around the specific location rather than treating the access points at Okauchee and Ashippun Lake as the same.

Fishing, a Park and Soccer

There are different points of reference for fishing, too. In the Okauchee/Town of Oconomowoc area, Okauchee Lake is one of Waukesha County’s fishing waters. Ashippun Lake’s fishery is currently considered very productive and healthy due to the good number of native species; the lake is also considered an important sport fishery. Ecological conditions can change, so this assessment is time-sensitive.

Away from the lakes, Okauchee Lions Park offers the community a place to gather and spend time. Another point of reference for sports is the Ewald Soccer Fields complex at Monterrey Park, which had a total of 16 soccer fields in 2016. The interests mentioned therefore range from fishing waters to a community park and a soccer venue. The year keeps the field count in its historical context.

Choose a Focus for Your Trip

If you’re planning your stay primarily around a water destination, first decide whether Okauchee Lake or Ashippun Lake is your main focus. The shoreline location and listed amenities can then help determine which access point to use. Fishing, Okauchee Lions Park and Ewald Soccer Fields offer additional options for other interests.

Explore more destinations: Menomonee Falls, Delafield, Hartland, Brookfield, Mukwonago, New Berlin, Sussex, Dousman

For the broader travel overview: Waukesha.