Straight Lake State Park

A pristine natural area and quiet beauty are found at Straight Lake in  Locationnorthwest Wisconsin. This lightly developed, 2,000-acre park contains two undeveloped, wild lakes and two state natural areas. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail meanders through the park highlighting many glacial features.

Activities and recreation

Hiking
The park is open to the public for foot traffic only. No motorized vehicles, bikes or horses are allowed. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail winds through the middle of the park along the Straight River and Straight Lake. There are about 8.5 miles of trail at the park.

Camping
Camping is available at Straight Lake State Park. There are 10 hike-in campsites at the park, with the distance to the sites ranging from a few hundred feet to 0.3 miles.

Campers need to practice carry-in/carry-out and should bring their own water. Glass containers are prohibited at Straight Lake. Supplies are available in the village of Luck.

Canoeing and kayaking
Canoes, kayaks and other non-motorized watercraft can be carried from the parking areas to the lakes. The carry-in boat launch for Rainbow Lake is a short, 100-yard hike. The east carry-in boat launch on Straight Lake is 300 yards from the parking lot. The west carry-in boat launch on Straight Lake is 750 yards from the campground parking lot. Courtesy boat/canoe/kayak dollies are available at the campground and picnic area lots.

Canoes, kayaks and row boats are not allowed to be left at the boat launches overnight.

Fishing
Straight Lake is fed and drained by the Straight River. It is a premier northern wild lake with a great fishery of bass, northern pike and panfish. Boats may be carried in to fish.

Rainbow Lake is stocked every year with rainbow trout. Trout may be harvested from the first Saturday in May to the first Sunday in March. An accessible fishing platform is located on Rainbow Lake next to the carry-in boat launch.

A fishing license is required for anyone age 16 or over.

Hunting and trapping
Hunting and trapping are allowed in the open areas of the park during the Wisconsin state parks hunting and trapping time frame. Trapping is not permitted in closed areas as noted on the park hunting map or within 100 yards of any designated use area, including trails. Certain trap types are restricted on state park properties.

Winter activities
During winter, trails are not groomed or packed. Winter hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are allowed anywhere in the park.

Ice fishing is a popular activity at the park, but combustion powered ice augers are prohibited.