The Secret Passageway between Bond Lake and Leader Lake, Wascott WI

The Secret Passageway Between Bond Lake and Leader Lake, Wascott, WI

Here’s another in an occasional series of posts answering the question: “Can I really get there from here?”

Here in Northwest Wisconsin, maps often show a connection between two lakes, and fising guidebooks may mention a “navigable channel.” But can you really get there from here? The answer, of course, is “it depends.” First, it depends on the size of your boat. How much water does it draw, how wide is it, and how tall is it? If your boat has an awning or visor, can it be folded down? In some cases, the weather and the time of year can even make a difference. If the water is too low, there won’t be enough to float your boat. Too high, and you may not have quite enough headroom under a bridge. So your mileage, as they say, may vary. Keep your speed down, and proceed with caution.

(I began this series with the connection between 191-acre Bony Lake and 902-acre Middle Eau Claire Lake. I’ve recently listed this beautiful timber-frame lake home on Bony Lake, and not everyone knows about the channel between these two lakes. If you’re looking for a luxury home on the Eau Claire chain of lakes, then this one should definitely be on your list. A second post described the channel between Middle Eau Claire Lake and Lower Eau Claire Lake; at the moment, I also have other homes available at a range of price points on Lower, Middle, and Upper Eau Claire Lakes.)

So... Just how navigable is that channel? Here’s the answer for Bond Lake and Leader Lake, a pair of lakes in southern Douglas County. Although each has its own character, both of these deep, clear lakes are often mentioned together as one hyphenated name. There’s even a Bond Leader Lake Road in the neighborhood. Follow it to reach this beautiful lake home I’m currently listing on Leader Lake.

Leader Lake is a limited-access lake; its only public access is by canoe or kayak from a carry-in landing just off Bass Lake Road. (At the moment I’m also listing this great cabin just to the north on Bass Lake. But that’s another story.) Or, you can launch your boat on Bond Lake and follow the channel that connects the two lakes.

So here it is... The no-longer-secret passageway from Bond Lake to Leader Lake, complete with a few photos showing what you can expect. If you’re starting from Bond Lake, you’ll find the channel at the far northern end of the lake. If you’re starting from Leader Lake, the channel begins at the western basin’s southwestern corner—just south of the canoe landing. At normal water levels it’s navigable by canoe, kayak, fishing boat, and even pontoon. One or two spots are quite shallow, so proceed with caution.

And by the way... If you’d like to see a home on either of these two lakes, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. Jean Hedren, Edina Realty 218-590-6634.