Presque Isle - Wisconsin's Last Wilderness

Almost 300 years ago, shipwrecked French priests on the shores of Lake Superior made their way down a river to a place they called Presque Isle, or “almost an island”.  Tucked deep into the woods of Northern Wisconsin,  the Presque Isle Area sits among 192 lakes under a pine and hardwood forest.  Immediately adjacent to Michigan’s sprawling Ottawa National Forest and Wisconsin’s 200,000 plus acres of Northern Highland State Forest, this area deserves its title of “Wisconsin’s Last Wilderness.” 

Whether a year-round resident, part-timer or snowbird, the pristine waters and unspoiled woods of Northern Vilas County offer year-round relaxation and enjoyment.

                                                 Home to some 525 full-time residents, and twice as many seasonal homeowners, Presque Isle also sees a steady trickle of visitors.  Each season offers something special.  Summer life revolves around our plentiful waters; famous for excellent fishing, abundant wildlife, and very little pressure.  Miles of sandy shorelines provide endless days of family fun.  Our 192 lakes include big water for boating & sport on the Presque Isle Chain, and smaller, quieter lakes and rivers to satisfy canoe and kayak enthusiasts.  Rugged and paved bike paths offer miles of scenic exploration through wilderness surroundings, and further exploration can be found via logging roads, nature trails & paths... 
 

Every year in June the chamber of commerce sponsors a Country Fair, where visitors can stroll main street and sample the best the town has to offer:  Hand-made crafts and artwork made by local artisans, bluegrass music, fresh squeezed old-fashioned lemonade, frog and turtle races, a wilderness run, canoe races and pie-eating contests.  Of course, there are also beer, brats and corn - standard issue for almost every Presque Isle function!

Scenes from the Country Fair

In early September, signs of the next season peek from the roadside foilage and treetops - the changing of the colors.  Come fall, our lake waters mirror a spectacular display of nature's paint. 

Beneath the surface turnover occurs, and water temperatures start to drop.  That means trophy time for anglers from far and near, hoping to land the next record fish.  In September, area anglers gear up for The Musky Classic.   

The Presque Isle Area offers a location immediately adjacent to the Northern Highlands State Forest and the Ottawa National Forest, offering over a million acres dedicated to the pursuit of the whitetail deer, grouse and duck. 

 

Make Tracks in Our Snow!  Located in the Lake Superior snowbelt, full-time residents usually find themselves buried in the white stuff several times a year.  Snowmobiling is a major draw, with some of the best maintained trails in the area and Michigan’s famed Upper Peninsula within three miles.  The Presque Isle/Winchester Sno-Bunnies and many volunteers put out a major effort to keep the trails in top condition, from brush clearing & grooming to sign maintenance. 

Winter enthusiasts also enjoy cross country & downhill skiing, with four major alpine ski hills less than 30 minutes away.  Other popular winter sports include ice fishing and snowshoeing.  Is it cold?  You bet!  Bring your gloves & hat, your snow boots, & your best socks & long underwear!  One family on Van Vliet Lake makes the winter adapt to their lifestyle instead of vice versa, sponsoring ‘The Northwoods Frozen Open’, a January golf outing played on the ice. 

When Spring finally arrives, it's a welcome sight, especially to anglers eager to hit the water and locals who are really ready to put their snowboots in storage...
 

It could be said, then, that Presque Isle is for those who are truly seeking a respite from the busy pace.  Friends on their way Up North wonder if they wound up in Canada.  The nearest McDonalds or Walmart is a forty minute drive, and there is not a stoplight to be seen.  But spend some time in Presque Isle you'll eventually realize that it has everything one could need - a few nice restaurants & pubs, resorts and motels to house visitors; a bank (only open 'til 1pm!) a post office, library, ball diamond & playground...places to grab the necessities, to grab a bite, to play; and all provide opportunity to join in on the local banter and pick up a fishing tip or two.  Service is less hurried but always friendly. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Enjoy life at a slower pace...

Almost sounds desolate, but it doesn't really feel that way.  The sense of community is strong here.  Should you happen to slide into the ditch mid-winter, odds are the next person along the way will stop to help you out.  When a vacationing “city dog” celebrates his newfound freedom by getting lost in the woods, friends, neighbors and even strangers join in the search & rescue.  Despite the small population, the town has thriving community services, from the Lions to the Heritage Society to volunteer EMT’s and firefighters providing emergency care.  When the historic Retreat Bar on Presque Isle Lake burned to the ground, sadness reverberated through the community; here a loss is felt by everyone.  There's always a benefit to help the sick or needy, and wedding invitations might as well be addressed “To the Whole Town!”  People of this grain share a friendliness that provides the bonds for lively book discussion groups, gardening classes, community theatre, and fishing tournaments. 

As in every small town, Presque Isle has its local hot buttons.  Residents are challenged with striking a balance between drawing visitors to the area (critical since tourism generates most of the economy) and preserving and protecting the natural environment.  Past community leaders had the foresight to implement strict zoning laws, keeping shoreline development and lot subdivision at a minimum compared to our surrounding areas.   Since 1954 Presque Isle has maintained a 200 foot, 1.5 acre minimum on all waterfront development.  Home and property owners have seen a healthy increase in the value of their land, and a small but worthy conservation association contributes to the preservation by donation and land acquisition.
 

   
Katinka Lake (photo by Grandpa Jack)

Above all though, residents are gracious and welcoming to the area’s many guests.  Various events throughout the year include a hotly contested Wild Game Cookoff, Fireman’s Picnic & Parade, Antique Snowmobile Ride & Poker Run, Pig Roast, Lobster Feed and a horse-drawn sleigh visit from Santa in December, to name a few.  Opportunities for relaxation and fun are but a step outside your door, whether you’re roasting up marshmallows, blazing a snowshoe trail through the woods or landing yourself a big, lunker bass.  But if you’re planning on visiting Presque Isle, shut off the cell phone (which may not get reception anyway!) and prepare to slow down, lay back and unwind.  Listen to the loons.  Crack a beer and order up a fish fry.  For a classic Northwoods experience in Wisconsin’s Last Wilderness, you'll find it doesn’t get any better this.

-----

For a full list of Presque Isle attractions and amenities, visit the Chamber of Commerce website at www.presqueislewi.org.