Lac du Flambeau, WI

History

In 1903, Milwaukee Railroad tracks were laid in the area that became known as Boulder Junction. While the railroad was built to serve the booming logging industry, the new railroad access also attracted outdoors enthusiasts who came to fish and hunt the area’s beautiful forests and crystal clear lakes. Resorts were built to accommodate the growing number of tourists.

Electricity arrived in 1925 and the Town of Boulder Junction was incorporated in 1927. Phone service was added to the area in 1930. During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps replanted the trees that had been harvested from the land during the logging boom of the previous decades. The majestic forests you see today are a result of the large-scale planting efforts of the 1930s.

A great place to learn about the history of Boulder Junction and the surrounding area is the Boulder Junction Historical Society Museum, located on Hwy M South, next to the Community Center. The museum’s exhibits include Pioneer Corner, items from the logging era and historic photos. The museum is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, and by chance throughout the rest of the year. Admission is free. For information on special showings, contact Josie Allen at 715-385-2617.

Boulder Junction came to be called the “Musky Capital of the World®.”

Geography

The Lac du Flambeau reservation was established by the treaty of September 30, 1854. The Reservation is 86,630 acres or 144 square miles. The Reservation consists of 260 lakes, 17,897 surface acres of water, 64 miles of creeks, rivers, and streams, 24,000 acres of wetlands, and 41,733 acres of forested upland. The Tribe owns 45.4%, Tribal Allotted land is 21.4% and Alienated land is 33.1%.

Lac du Flambeau is located at 45°58′14″N 89°54′1″W (45.970584, -89.900297).

The Lac du Flambeau Reservation, Located primarily in Vilas County, totals 86,600 acres.

• 39,403 acres are tribally owned
• 18,532 acres are individually allotted
• 28,665 acres are fee land
• 24,000 acres are water/wetlands that include 260 lakes, 65 miles of streams, lakes, and rivers.

Population

The population in Lac du Flambeau is 3,517. There are 35 people per square mile aka population density. The median age in Lac du Flambeau is 44.4, the US median age is 37.4. The number of people per household in Lac du Flambeau is 2.2, the US average of people per household is 2.6.

Family in Lac du Flambeau

• 48.9% are married
• 12.8% are divorced
• 8.4% are married with children
• 28.2% have children, but are single

Race in Lac du Flambeau

• 42.0% are white
• 0.2% are black
• 2.5% are asian
• 51.3% are native american
• 0.3% claim Other
• 1.1% claim Hispanic Ethnicity
• 2.3% Two or More Races
• 0.3% Hawaiian, Pacific Islander

The age distribution was 29.8% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median household income was $30,349 and the median family income was $33,036. Males had a median income of $27,589 versus $22,560 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,176. About 12.1% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Airports near Lac du Flambeau 

1. Manitowish Waters Airport  – Location: Manitowish Waters, WI
2. Boulder Junction Airport  – Location: Boulder Junction, WI
3. Park Falls Municipal Airport  – Location: Park Falls, WI
4. Eagle River Union Airport  – Eagle River, WI

The typical American commute has been getting longer each year since 2010. The average one-way commute in Lac du Flambeau takes 18.0 minutes. That’s shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.

How people in Lac du Flambeau get to work:

• 81.1% drive their own car alone
• 6.4% carpool with others
• 7.0% work from home
• 0.0% take mass transit

Schools

Lac du Flambeau Elementary School

Lac du Flambeau Elementary School is a public school located in LAC DU FLAMBEAU, WI. It has 527 students in grades PK, K-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 8 to 1. According to state test scores, 16% of students are at least proficient in math and 19% in reading.

• Kindergarten thru 8th
• 2899 State Highway 47 South, Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538
• (715) 588-3838
• Average number of students – 455

Lakeland Union High School

• 9th thru 12th
• 9573 State Hwy 70, Minocqua, WI 54548
• (715) 356-5252
• Average number of students – 875

Includes:

• Community Education Center
  • Education Department
  • Nicolet Area Technical College classroom
• Zaasijiwan Head Start
• Lac du Flambeau Elementary School District
• Lakeland Union High School
  • Extended Resources – West
  • Alternative Site classroom
• Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Language Program

Healthcare

Peter Christensen Health Center

Peter Christensen Health Center provides a comprehensive care designed to help you manage your health in the most convenient way possible. Located at 129 Old Abe Rd. Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538

Services:

• Quality health care provided by 3 board certified family Practice Physicians, Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber & one Physician Assistant-Certified.
• Acute med conditions assessed through the walk-in dept.
• Staged Diabetic Management
• Obstetric Care
• Womens Wellness
• Chronic Disease Management
• Well Child exams
• Preventative Care
• CLIA certified Laboratory services
• In addition to medical services, PCHC also offers preventative and routine dental care. The dental clinic is under supervision of Dr. Brad Walden, DMD.
• Clinic services include: urgent care, pharmacy, dental, optical, community health, diabetes care, and nutrition
• Funded by Lac du Flambeau Tribe, with some funds coming from the Indian Health Service and the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
• PCHC also has a new Optical Department, offering the full spectrum of optical services, including frames and contacts. The Optical Department is under the supervision of Dr. Renee Walden, OD.

Hospitals and medical centers near Lac du Flambeau: 

• AVANTI HEALTH AND REHABILITATION CENTER, LLC (Nursing Home, about 11 miles away; MINOCQUA, WI) 
• DAVITA – NORTHERN STAR DIALYSIS (Dialysis Facility, about 11 miles away; WOODRUFF, WI) 
• DR KATE’S WOODLAND MANOR (Nursing Home, about 14 miles away; WOODRUFF, WI)

Outdoor Points of Intererst

Join us during our community events where the whole family can learn, relax and enjoy the amazing beauty that Mother Earth gave Lac du Flambeau. Experience those gifts on one of our 260 lakes, paddle our 71 miles of rivers and streams or catch glimpses of wildlife and the many birding opportunities on the Powell Marsh; 12,000 acres of wetlands designated by the state as one of the top birding destinations in Wisconsin. Catch a record size fish in the premiere fishing area and have a guaranteed dinner! Immerse yourself in the Ojibwe culture at the George W. Brown Jr. Museum and Cultural Center or Mikwendaagoziwag (Boys Dormitory) through classes, tours and displays. The rich history of the land and our people is what makes Lac du Flambeau!

We would like to invite you to experience the Lac du Flambeau heritage by sampling our succulent organic strawberries from the Golden Eagle Farm, find comfort in the traditionally harvested wild rice (Watch Wild Ricing Video), and you can’t forget the mouthwatering Fry Bread. Walk the paths that our Ojibwe ancestors did, see how they built their homes, tools and the games they played. Shop at Adaawe Place, our new shopping district, and see the crafts and art that has been taught to generations. Take a break on the ample park benches throughout downtown where you can sit back and “Refresh Your Spirit”.

Recreation

Summer is the season of fun-filled days and cool, quiet nights. Almost every type of summer recreation is available in Flambeau.

You will never run out of things to do, for Lac du Flambeau is continually bustling with activities. There are trail hikes, bike trails, horseback riding, canoe trips, water skiing and boating. In early October through December, there is bow-and-arrow hunting for deer, also a rifle season in November.

Vacationers are invited to visit the museum and wildlife displays in downtown Lac du Flambeau and the Powell Marsh Wildlife Refuge north of town on Highway 47. Also on the list of things to see are trout ponds, deer farms, cranberry marshes and state and national forests and their fire towers. Other special events include the Fourth of July parade, Summer Rendezvous in August and the Colorama in September.

For many, the greatest opportunity of all is the chance to be alone…to sit and ponder, to relax and dream. Our fast-paced world offers too little of this.

Lac du Flambeau is ideal for what is probably the country’s fastest growing sports – snowmobiling and cross country skiing. Persons interested in this new recreation find that the wooded trails and snow-covered lakes are wonderful snowmobile terrain. Cross country skiing on the many snow-covered trails through the birch and pine forests brings peace of mind to the outdoor enthusiast that can only be found ‘North of the Tension Zone!’

Parks

LAC DU FLAMBEAU TRIBAL CAMPGROUND, located on Highway 47, not only offers a nationally recognized campground but also a beach open to the public for swimming. There is also a public paved boat launch and place to dock your boat to enjoy the beach as well as a marina where you can rent canoes or motor boats.

LEECH BEACH is located on Big Crawling Stone off of Moss Lake Road. This offers an incredibly scenic swimming experience. It has an expansive sand beach that is beneficial for swimmers of all levels.

POWELL MARSH Popular for hunters, birders, trappers and hikers. The wildlife area is 4,300 acres and to the south of Lac du Flambeau tribe owns another 8,000 acres of the marsh. There is an 1,800-acre no entry wildlife refuge in the middle of the property in effect from September 1 – December 31. View birds, waterfowl and other wildlife from the dikes or at the vista lookout on Powell Road.

ROSS ALLEN SR. PAVILION is located behind the Lac du Flambeau grade school on Highway 47. There are tennis and basketball courts, a walking/running track, baseball fields and a pavilion with picnic tables and a place for concessions.

SAND BEACH is a historical site because it overlooks Strawberry Island and Medicine Rock and is on Flambeau Lake. It is a great place to swim and it offers picnic tables and grills to help you enjoy the view.

THUNDERBIRD PARK is located in downtown Lac du Flambeau on Waswagon Street. Along with the great location it also has a pavilion.

Great Lakes or Chains

Waswagoning, “a place where they fish by torchlight,” is the name that the Ojibwe gave this place. The French Fur Traders saw the Indians’ fishing technique and named the area Lac du Flambeau, “Lake of the Torch.” Today, the town of that name sits at the center of the Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation. The area’s lush forests, 250 lakes, abundant wildlife, legendary fishing and miles of snowmobile trails make for all-season fun. The region is imbued with Ojibwe heritage and culture that is showcased in several local attractions.

There are plenty of lakes here with so many outdoor recreational opportunities here.  Fishing is good for a variety of fish such as walleye, muskie, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish.

Lac du Flambeau Chain of Lakes

The Lac du Flambeau Chain of Lakes are popular with anglers and boaters alike. The lakes are beautiful with crystal clear, spring-fed water. Many people refer to this chain as the Fence Lake Chain since Fence Lake is the largest body of water on the chain. The lakes that are part of the chain are Big Crawling Stone Lake, Fence Lake, Flambeau Lake, Little Crawling Stone Lake, Long Interlaken Lake, Moss Lake, North Twin Placid Lake, South Twin Placid Lake, Pokegama Lake.

Fence Lake. Fence Lake is a 3483 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 86 feet. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Trout and Walleye.

Big Crawling Stone Lake. Crawling Stone Lake is a 1483 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 87 feet. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water clarity is very clear.

Flambeau Lake. Flambeau Lake is a 1166 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 78 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water clarity is very clear.

Pokegama Lake. Pokegama Lake is a 1041 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 65 feet. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water clarity is very clear.

Long Interlaken Lake. Long Interlaken Lake is a 380 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 65 feet. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water clarity is very clear.

Moss Lake. Moss Lake is a 185 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 29 feet. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water is moderately clear.

Little Crawling Stone Lake. Little Crawling Stone Lake is a 113 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 44 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water clarity is very clear.

Twin Placid Lake. Placid Twin Lake, North is a 33 acre lake located in Vilas County.  It has a maximum depth of 23 feet.  Fish include muskie, panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and walleye.

White Sand Lake. White Sand Lake is a 1181 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 63 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye.

Muskesin Lake. Muskesin Lake is a 107 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 22 feet. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

ARt Centers, Community Centers, and ETC

Waaswaaganing Indian Bowl Living Arts & Culture Center

Our Mission is to sustain, strengthen and share the culture and performing arts of the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe community. The new Waaswaaganing Indian Bowl Living Arts & Culture Center is a cornerstone of this mission.

For over 60 years, pow wows have been held on the Lac du Flambeau Reservation in Northern Wisconsin at a site overlooking Long Interlaken Lake. We celebrate our culture and traditions through dance and song, and we have welcomed visitors to join us in these celebrations. The pow wow grounds became known as “The Indian Bowl.”

George W. Brown, Jr. Ojibwe Museum & Cultural Center

Come celebrate Ojibwe culture & history in Lac du Flambeau. The museum celebrates culture with a four seasons diorama and other exhibits including a 24-foot Ojibwe dugout canoe, smaller birch-bark canoes, Ojibwe arts and crafts, traditional clothing, a French fur trading post, and a world-record sturgeon taken from one of Flambeau’s many beautiful lakes. Year-round programs and classes are available as well as other special events.

Youth Center – Abinoojiiyag Center

The Abinoojiiyag Center is available for Lac du Flambeau community youth and their families. It provides alternative, positive activities for youth to reduce and stop alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse, and criminal behavior among youth on the Lac du Flambeau reservation.

The Center operates under the Family Resource Center, and collaborates with the Lac du Flambeau Public School, Lakeland Union High School, Tribal programs, Great Lakes Inter Tribal Council, and other tribes throughout Wisconsin to provide these services.

Services the Abinoojiyag Center building is available to include, family activities such as naming ceremonies, family reunions, birthday parties, when no other center-sponsored activity is taking place, which promote family togetherness, community wellness, healthy alternatives to alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.

Average Home Price Sold

2018 Ave Price Sold: $394,696.58

2021 Ave Price Sold: $535,092.42

2023 Ave Price Sold: $682,653.06