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Wisconsin River Map (PDF) | Major Rivers & Lakes in Wisconsin

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 03, 2026 | 15:05 ET

Wisconsin River Map showing major rivers in Wisconsin, River start and end point, county boundaries.

River Map of Wisconsin State

Rivers and Waterways in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s river systems flow through forests, plains, and glacial landscapes, draining into the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. Western rivers flow into the Mississippi River, while eastern rivers drain into Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. The state’s waterways are influenced by glacial history, creating many lakes and wetlands. Snowmelt and rainfall feed rivers throughout the year, and numerous reservoirs and natural lakes support water supply, recreation, and ecosystems across Wisconsin.

Major Rivers in Wisconsin

RiverLength (Approx.)RegionFlows Into
Mississippi River2,340 miWestGulf of Mexico
Wisconsin River430 miCentralMississippi River
Fox River200 miEastGreen Bay
Rock River299 miSouthMississippi River
Chippewa River183 miWestMississippi River
St. Croix River164 miWestMississippi River
Menominee River116 miNorthLake Michigan
Black River190 miWestMississippi River
Pecatonica River170 miSouthRock River
Wolf River225 miCentralFox River
Yellow River45 miCentralWisconsin River
Kickapoo River126 miWestWisconsin River
Namekagon River101 miNorthSt. Croix River
Oconto River105 miNorthGreen Bay
Peshtigo River112 miNorthGreen Bay
Kewaunee River22 miEastLake Michigan
Sheboygan River81 miEastLake Michigan
Milwaukee River104 miEastLake Michigan

Major Lakes in Wisconsin

LakeTypeRegion
Lake MichiganNatural lakeEast
Lake SuperiorNatural lakeNorth
Lake WinnebagoNatural lakeEast
Lake MendotaNatural lakeSouth
Lake MononaNatural lakeSouth
Petenwell LakeReservoirCentral
Castle Rock LakeReservoirCentral
Lake Butte des MortsNatural lakeEast
Green LakeNatural lakeSouth
Lake KoshkonongReservoirSouth

Major River Basins in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s river basins are divided between those draining into the Mississippi River and those flowing into the Great Lakes. These basins are important for agriculture, water supply, and maintaining freshwater ecosystems.

  • Mississippi River Basin
  • Wisconsin River Basin
  • Fox River Basin
  • Rock River Basin
  • Chippewa River Basin
  • St. Croix River Basin
  • Lake Michigan Basin
  • Lake Superior Basin
  • Wolf River Basin

Wisconsin Rivers Facts

StateWisconsin
Total Rivers & Streams84,000+ miles of streams
Major RiversMississippi, Wisconsin, Fox, Rock
Total Waterway Length88,000+ miles
Main DrainageMississippi River & Great Lakes
Longest RiverMississippi River
Shortest RiverKewaunee River
Major River Basins9 Primary Basins
Primary OutletGulf of Mexico & Atlantic Ocean
Key UsesAgriculture, water supply, recreation, ecosystems
Longest River Within StateWisconsin River
Number of River Basins8–10 Basins
Major ReservoirsPetenwell Lake, Castle Rock Lake
Primary Water SourceSurface water and lakes