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Lakes → Wisconsin → Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva

Wisconsin · Natural · near Lake Geneva

5,262 acres 144 ft deep 18 ft clarity Water B
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6.3SCORE
Survey summary · Wisconsin
5,262
Surface acres
144 ft
Max depth
26 mi
Shoreline
18 ft
Typical clarity
879 ft
Elevation

Lake Geneva covers 5,262 acres in Wisconsin and drops to 144 feet at its deepest point. It is a natural lake, which generally means a more stable shoreline and fewer drawdown surprises than an impoundment. Level is unusually stable, which protects dock usability and shoreline appearance year round. Short-term rental posture: Walworth County; strict. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.

What stands out

  • Very stable water level year-round
  • Boating
  • Shore path

Watch outs

  • Short-term rental rules are restrictive — do not assume rental income

Score breakdown

WATER RECREATION VALUE ACCESS INVESTMENT
Water 8.1
Recreation 6.4
Value 3.5
Access 6.1
Investment 6.4

Each axis is computed by published formula from this lake's own attributes. How we score.

Water quality grade
Water A
ExcellentClear, low-nutrient water. Typically oligotrophic with high clarity and little seasonal algae.
Water B
GoodHealthy water with moderate clarity. Some seasonal variation, no persistent problems.
Water C
FairProductive water — good fishing, reduced clarity. Algae possible in late summer.
Water D
PoorNutrient-rich or heavily drawn down. Swimmable conditions vary; check before you rely on them.

Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.

Overall score, 1–10
8.0+
ExceptionalStrong on every axis we measure.
7.0–7.9
StrongClearly above average, usually with one standout axis.
6.0–6.9
SolidA good lake with a trade-off worth understanding.
5.0–5.9
MixedReal strengths and real compromises.
Under 5
CompromisedSomething material — volatility, water quality, or access.

Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.

Fishery

Lake troutSmallmouth bassNorthern pikeWalleye

On the water

BoatingShore pathResortsSailing
No USGS gauge on this lake. Water level and clarity figures below come from published lake management data rather than a live sensor.

Where it is

True shoreline from USGS NHD 22 km²

The outline is this lake's actual boundary from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset, not an approximation — 163 boundary points. Basemap is USGS topographic with contours and hydrography. Switch layers at the top right.

Depth profile

SURFACE 144 ft max avg 46 ft

Idealized cross-section. Max depth 144 ft, average 46 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.

Level behaviour

Level stabilityStable Typical drawdown1 ft Drawdown seasonNone Trophic stateOligotrophic Typical clarity18 ft Water quality gradeB Elevation879 ft Managing authorityWisconsin DNR

Dock & shoreline

Permitting authorityWisconsin DNR Wake / speed rulesNo-wake 200ft
A dock is never guaranteed. Confirm in writing with Wisconsin DNR that the specific parcel is eligible before you remove contingencies.

Short-term rental posture

Walworth County; strict

Restrictions apply and vary by jurisdiction. Verify at the municipal level before you offer.
Model rental income →
Modeled estimates. Market figures are derived from lake attributes and regional patterns, not from MLS data. Treat them as a starting point, not a comp.
$455,000
Median waterfront
$6,072
Per shoreline foot
+6.3%
Year over year
23
Est. inventory
151
Avg days on market
$306
Est. nightly rate

Rental snapshot

Modeled occupancy65% Booked nights / yr171 Gross revenue$62,146 Net operating income$27,154 Yield on median price5.97%
Open the full model →

What a median-priced home on Lake Geneva actually costs to carry, with waterfront-specific line items most calculators omit.

$3,933
All-in per month
$105,170
Cash to close + setup
$11,745
Beyond P&I, tax, insurance
Where the annual cost goes
$47,201 PER YEAR
Principal & interest $28,768 (63%) Maintenance reserve (1.1%) $5,005 (11%) Property taxes $4,778 (10%) Utilities $2,700 (6%) Hazard insurance $1,911 (4%) Shoreline / seawall reserve $960 (2%) Dock maintenance $900 (2%) Winterization / seasonal close $750 (2%)

Annual carry

Principal & interest$28,768
Property taxes$4,778
Hazard insurance$1,911
Flood insurance$650
Utilities$2,700
Maintenance reserve (1.1%)$5,005
Septic service$520
Well & water testing$260
Dock maintenance$900
Winterization / seasonal close$750
Shoreline / seawall reserve$960
Total$47,201
Model your own numbers →

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