Lake Tomahawk, WI

Lake Tomahawk Wisconsin is located in Oneida county. With a population of approximately 1,110, this little town is the keystone to the North Wisconsin woods summer and winter sports and activities.

Located in the heart of the North woods, Lake Tomahawk is home to hundreds of great fishing lakes and incredible breathtaking wildlife. If you enjoy shopping and eating, the surrounding communities offer an abundance of dining and shops to accommodate anyone.

History

Lake Tomahawk was originally called Tomahawk Lake, and under the latter name was platted in 1892. The community took its name from nearby Tomahawk Lake. The name of the post office was changed from Tomahawk Lake to Lake Tomahawk in 1928.

Every community has its own unique and interesting history, and Tomahawk, Wisconsin is no exception. Wm. H. Bradley chose this area to realize his dream of building a city.  In 1886 he began the process of carving a city out of wilderness and almost overnight, Tomahawk was born.  People arrived; logging camps, sawmills and a dam were built; homes, stores and other businesses followed, as well as a school and hospital.  And the railroad extended to the city.  Though the logging boom eventually died down, the community continued to thrive.  The community pride and spirit demonstrated by the early settlers still prevails.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.2 square miles (101.6 km2), of which, 34.3 square miles (88.9 km2) of it is land and 4.9 square miles (12.7 km2) of it (12.50%) is water.

Population

The population in Lake Tomahawk is 1,110. There are 31 people per square mile aka population density. The median age in Lake Tomahawk is 53.1, the US median age is 37.4. The number of people per household in Lake Tomahawk is 2.1, the US average of people per household is 2.6.

Family in Lake Tomahawk

  • 54.6% are married
  • 15.1% are divorced
  • 10.2% are married with children
  • 6.3% have children, but are single

Race in Lake Tomahawk

  • 93.8% are white
  • 4.3% are black
  • 0.2% are asian
  • 0.6% are native american
  • 0.0% claim Other
  • 0.2% claim Hispanic Ethnicity
  • 0.9% Two or More Races
  • 0.0% Hawaiian, Pacific Islander

In the town, the population was spread out, with 16.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 123.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 128.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,065, and the median income for a family was $41,131. Males had a median income of $30,268 versus $20,870 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,177. About 3.6% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Major highways

Wisconsin Highway 47 is the main road through the town.

Airports

The Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport (KRHI) serves Lake Tomahawk, the county and surrounding communities with both scheduled commercial jet service and general aviation services. Dolhun Field Airport is a private airport located 1.54 miles (2.48 km) northwest of Lake Tomahawk.

Schools

The Town of Lake Tomahawk is served by two school districts – the Minocqua, Hazelhurst, Lake Tomahawk Joint District #1 (M-H-L.T Joint School District #1) and the Lakeland Union High School District. 

M-H-L.T Joint School District #1 is a single building district which has 550 students currently enrolled in Kindergarten through Grade 8, located at 7450 Titus Drive, Minocqua, Wisconsin 54548. The district covers 350 square miles in Oneida County and includes the townships of Minocqua, Hazelhurst, and Lake Tomahawk. 

The Lakeland Union High School District is a district serving grades 9 through 12. As of the 2008-09 school year student enrollment was 892 students. Location: 9573 State Highway70 Minocqua, Wisconsin 54548.

Healthcare

Emergency Medical Services are provided to the entire Town of Lake Tomahawk by the Oneida County Emergency Management Department. The Oneida County Emergency Management Department has jurisdiction for these services. However, the ambulances are staffed by local hospitals and therefore calls for emergency medical services are dispatched to the hospital in nearest proximity to the requested call.

Hospitals and medical centers near Lake Tomahawk: 

  • DR KATE’S WOODLAND MANOR (Nursing Home, about 7 miles away; WOODRUFF, WI) 
  • AVANTI HEALTH AND REHABILITATION CENTER, LLC (Nursing Home, about 10 miles away; MINOCQUA, WI) 
  • DAVITA – NORTHERN STAR DIALYSIS (Dialysis Facility, about 11 miles away; WOODRUFF, WI) 
  • DAVITA – PINE CREST DIALYSIS (Dialysis Facility, about 14 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI) 
  • SACRED HEART, ST MARY’S INC HOSPICE (Hospital, about 15 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI) 
  • FRIENDLY VILLAGE (Nursing Home, about 16 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI) 
  • FRIENDLY VILLAGE NURSING AND REHAB CENTER (Nursing Home, about 16 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI)

Outdoor Points of Interest

The hunting is excellent in the Lake Tomahawk area. Each fall, a number of large bucks are taken in the area. Lake Tomahawk’s ruffed grouse hunting is also very good. The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest is a top location for grouse hunting in the fall.

Snowmobiling is popular in Lake Tomahawk. Local snowmobile trails are kept in tip-top shape by the dedicated volunteers of the Lake Tomahawk Sno-Fleas snowmobile club. Cross-country skiing is popular as well. The McNaughton Trail, Raven Nature Trail and Madeline Trail are located within a short drive of Lake Tomahawk.

Also gaining national attention is the Lake Tomahawk Meat Market. This small artisan shop is famous for its many varieties of brats. The meat market has become a destination for foodies and meat lovers from around the Midwest and has been featured on the Food Network.

Don’t miss fun events happening during the summer in Lake Tomahawk, including snowshoe baseball games and the Fourth of July parade with spectacular fireworks display. Each fall, the Lake Tomahawk Lioness Club sponsors the Lake Tomahawk Fall Festival, which features food, crafts, art and antiques.

Snowshoe Baseball

Lake Tomahawk was always known as a tourist attraction because of its lakes and gorgeous scenery. In 1961 Town Chairman, Ray Sloan, wanted to give summer tourists and residents another source of entertainment so he invited other area teams to challenge the hometown squad to games in the summer months, replacing the usual snow-covered field with saw chips.

Lake Tomahawk is known as the “World Capital of Snowshoe Baseball.” The Snowhawk games are played each Monday evening beginning at 7:30 with the starting contest set for June 20th and concluding August 29th with the annual benefit game for Lakeland Food Pantry. The July 4th game will again feature the Chicago All-Star team. The stands at Snowshoe Park provide one of the finest viewing sites for the town‘s fireworks which follow the holiday contest. Spectators constantly can be heard saying this is one of the best displays they have witnessed. One of the most entertaining evenings is the Newswatch 12 Night on August 29th, a time for fans to enjoy the antics of the TV personalities.

Great Lakes or Chains

Lake Tomahawk is a quiet community located in the middle of the beautiful Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. The many lakes of the area, including Horsehead Lake, Tomahawk Lake and Two Sisters Lake, are ideal places to open the fishing season and provide fantastic angling throughout the year.

Area flowages provide endless opportunities for wilderness paddling. The vast waterways of the Rainbow Flowage provide many acres of fishing, boating, canoeing and kayaking. Bald eagles are a frequent sight on this huge body of water. The Rainbow Flowage is part of the Wisconsin River. Canoeing and kayaking are available both upstream and downstream from the flowage.

 

Tomahawk Lake. Tomahawk Lake is a 3462 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 84 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from public boat landings, a public beach. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water clarity is very clear.

Horsehead Lake. Horsehead Lake is a 377 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 11 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike. The lake’s water clarity is low.

North Two Lakes. North Two Lakes is a 150 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 47 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye.

South Two Lakes. South Two Lakes is a 221 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 69 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye.

Big Carr Lake. Big Carr Lake is a 209 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 75 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Trout and Walleye.

Wind Pudding Lake. Wind Pudding Lake is a 180 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 35 feet. Fish include Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike.

McNaughton Lake. McNaughton Lake is a 121 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 9 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Panfish and Northern Pike.

Hodstradt Lake. Hodstradt Lake is a 119 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 36 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass and Walleye.

Bird Lake. Bird Lake is a 97 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 40 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass and Walleye. The lake’s water clarity is very clear.

Art Centers, Community Centers, and ETC

The town hall and administrative facilities are located within the Sloan Community Center, 7246 Main Street, P.O. Box 396, Lake Tomahawk Wisconsin 54539. A fire station and garage facility is located two blocks to the north of the town hall (7277 Bradley Street) and provides storage for emergency and road equipment.

Average Home Price Sold

2018 Ave Price Sold: $222,327.42

2021 Ave Price Sold: $333,642.10

2023 Ave Price Sold: $430,581.82

To find out more about Onedia county and all the wonderful things that the Northwoods has to offer click here.