Pewaukee Lake
Spanning over 2,400 acres, Pewaukee Lake is the king of Lake Country. Its waters provide ideal conditions for inland sailing and premier muskie fishing in the Badger State, while the surrounding land makes for scenic places to live. It is no wonder why homes for sale on Pewaukee Lake, WI are so coveted among boating, fishing, and lakefront living enthusiasts.Table of Contents:
- HELLO FROM PEWAUKEE LAKE
- HOMES FOR SALE ON PEWAUKEE LAKE, WI
- REASONS YOU’LL LOVE LIVING IN PEWAUKEE LAKE, WI
- INVEST IN YOUR OWN PEWAUKEE LAKE HOME WITH THE SPHEERIS TEAM
HELLO FROM PEWAUKEE LAKE
Pewaukee Lake is situated near the heart of Waukesha County, approximately 8 miles northwest of Waukesha and 20 miles west of downtown Milwaukee. It is unclear how exactly Pewaukee got its name, but different records all draw from Algonquian sources. Since the 19th century, Pewaukee Lake has been among the preferred summer destinations in the region. Nearly half– or most, depending on who you talk to– of Pewaukee Lake’s coastline is shared by two notable communities that not only bear the same time, but are deeply interconnected. The City of Pewaukee stretches for over 20 sq. mi. and surrounds the Village of Pewaukee. Both trace their origins from a township created in 1840 until some residents voted to separate themselves and become their own 4.58-sq. mi. village. What remained of the town became the city of Pewaukee, which was incorporated in 1999. Together, the city and village of Pewaukee are home to over 24,000 residents. Although both areas have separate local governments, they share certain community amenities, such as parks and medical services.HOMES FOR SALE ON PEWAUKEE LAKE, WI
With their proximity to the lake and limited inventory, homes for sale on Pewaukee Lake, WI rank as some of the most highly valued not only in Waukesha County, but in Wisconsin as well. The median home value is approximately $490,000, with a large portion of the market valued between the mid-$200,000s and high $900,000s.- Single-family homes abound: There are over 6,700 residences in the Pewaukee Lake area. Single-family homes are the most dominant property type, owning more than 60% of the market share. These residences typically offer up to 2,500 sq. ft. of approximate living space, with some of the largest lots covering a quarter of an acre. The cream of the crop, naturally, are the lakefront homes. Apartments, condominiums and townhomes can also be found in the Pewaukee Lake area; many of these properties are within walking or biking distance to the lakeside.
- People own where they live here: A contributing factor to the relatively high cost of homes for sale on Pewaukee Lake, WI are the high ownership rates. Nearly all of the residences in the area (84.4%) are owner-owned and occupied. Properties are rarely listed for sale, and when a house does enter the market, it takes anywhere from 20 to 40 days for it to sell.
- Old meets middle-aged meets new: Around half of the residential buildings in the area were constructed between 1970 to 1999 which accounts for the noticeable prevalence of Mid-century ranch houses that were popular from the 70s to the 80s. Roughly a third of the housing inventory was built in the year 2000 or later. Conversely, older houses comprise the minority of buildings that stand today. Those built from 1940-1969 account for 15% of the total and just 5% belong to houses approaching a century old.
- A good mix of timeless designs: Because the land surrounding Pewaukee Lake has been settled on for at least two centuries, visitors and people looking to acquire property in the area will see several architectural styles. Roaming around the neighborhoods in the Village and City of Pewaukee, you’ll see many homes with A-Frame, Cape Cod, Colonial, and Bungalow designs with the occasional sprinkling of houses built in the Contemporary and Mid-Century Modern mold.
REASONS YOU’LL LOVE LIVING IN PEWAUKEE LAKE, WI
All-season fishing, community sailing races, mouthwatering local food spots, and several other outdoor recreational opportunities are some of the hallmarks of living in the Pewaukee Lake area.World-class fishing
Waukesha County’s Lake Country may be home to 33 major lakes, but Pewaukee Lake is the one that offers unparalleled fishing for both casual anglers and enthusiasts, regardless of the season. Pewaukee Lake, which has a depth of approximately 44 feet, produces the most fish per acre with spring and fall as its most productive seasons. Residents and visitors alike can set up shop at one of the public fishing piers around the lake to reel in a variety of fish depending on the location and time of the year. The lake’s western basin is the ideal spot for those on the lookout for walleye and smallmouth bass. This area is also known to be frequented by muskellunge or muskie, the fish Pewaukee Lake is especially known for. On the eastern basin, largemouth bass and northern pike are more prevalent. Other types of fish you can catch on Pewaukee Lake include crappie, perch, and bluegill. Learn more about fishing seasons– and other regulations– on Pewaukee Lake here. As with the rest of Wisconsin, fishing on Pewaukee Lake requires a license, although those born before 1927 and children ages 15 and below are exempt to the rule. Click here to learn more about your fishing license options in the state.Outdoor recreation beyond fishing
One doesn’t need to be into fishing to consider homes for sale on Pewaukee Lake, WI because the place has so much more to offer. For those who want a peaceful time on the lake, kayaking and swimming are some of the recommended activities that can be enjoyed for the most part of the year.
Sailing enthusiasts can join races and regattas on the lake, which are hosted by the Pewaukee Yacht Club throughout the year. If you are more interested in social activities, the PYC also organizes several parties, many of which are held in conjunction with an ongoing race. Meanwhile, children as young as six years as well as adults can learn how to sail at the Pewaukee Lake Sailing School.
In the winter, trails for skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding open up all around Pewaukee Lake. The lake itself is open to various ice fishing outings, which plenty of people join despite the frigid temperatures.
Golf is another popular pastime in the Pewaukee Lake area. There are two notable golf courses within the vicinity: Pewaukee Golf Club and Western Lakes Golf Club. The former hosts an 18-hole public golf course that hosts weekly leagues and several other golfing facilities. The latter, on the other hand, is home to an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Lawrence Packard.
For a more kinetic outdoor experience, hiking trails can be found on either side of Pewaukee Lake. The 48-acre Simmons Woods park east of Pewaukee Village has three distinct walking trails and a boardwalk through the marshland. On the other side of the lake, one can find the 15-mile Lake Country Recreation Trail.
Top-tier schools
Both the city and village of Pewaukee are served by the award-winning Pewaukee School District, which was founded in 1840. National and state recognitions include the 2013 National Baldrige Quality Award and three Wisconsin Forward awards. There are four public schools under its umbrella: The Pewaukee Lake area is also home to the Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC), which offers associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates in architecture and construction, business, health, information technology, STEM, education, and many more. The WCTC campus is geographically connected to Pewaukee’s K4-12 public school complex, but is accessed via Main Street from the north or College Avenue from the west. Milwaukee’s higher education offerings are also accessible from Pewaukee Lake. These include the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, and Marquette University, all of which are approximately a 30-minute drive from the Pewaukee Lake area.Accessible location
Despite its relaxed suburban environment, Pewaukee Lake is an easy drive from both downtown Milwaukee to the east and lake-rich Madison to the west, with I-94 connecting all three communities. The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is just half an hour away. As for getting in and around Pewaukee Lake, doing so by car is the best option. There are alternatives, however. For instance, the City of Pewaukee has dedicated cycling trails that run across the city, open for everyone who wishes to travel around the area on two wheels.Delicious local eats
Dining options abound in the Pewaukee Lake area whether you are further inland or down by the lake. For instance, a three-mile stretch on the southeast shore of Pewaukee Lake is lined with food haunts for different moods and budgets. But if there’s one thing these places have in common, it’s their exquisite fish dishes. Some of the most recommended restaurants around Pewaukee Lake include:- 5 O’Clock Club, a storied, century-old tavern owned by the Kizivat family that preserves the memory of the old Wisconsin farm life. Patrons come back for their award-winning fish fry and other menu offerings, many of which are made with recipes that have been passed down through multiple generations. In the summer, the best seats in the house are outside on the big patio. Expect long lines at this local gem so making an early reservation is definitely recommended.
- Artisan 179, a solid proof that the Pewaukee Lake area can do modern cuisine as well. This trendy spot on the eastern lakeshore has a contemporary interior decorated with tasteful lighting and works by local artists. Owners Carrie Boehm and Ted Anderson are passionate about the fine arts and it reflects in their enterprise. Every week, performances by the area’s musicians serenade the nighttime crowd enjoying Artisan’s eclectic cocktail selection. For food, any of their salmon and brussels sprouts dishes are stellar.
- Curly’s Waterfront Sports Bar and Grill, a classic American beer stop that offers an array of comfort food and bar chow best enjoyed when you’re feeling social. This local watering hole is especially spirited on the weekends and weekdays when they host Trivia Night. Patrons who just want to quietly enjoy their ice-cold beer on tap can hang out in the wraparound deck and enjoy a view of Lake Pewaukee at night.
- Sunset Grill, one of the best spots on Pewaukee Lake to watch the sunset while enjoying a cold bottle of beer and a plate of their so-called summer favorites at the lakeside patio. More notably, Sunset Grill is a Pewaukee institution with roots that date back to 1923.
Parks and green spaces
The Pewaukee Lake area contains a system of 15 parks, all of which are developed and managed by the same Parks and Recreation office. The parks of Lakefront, Kiwanis Village, and Wagner are the most popular. Lakefront stands out as the only one in the whole system where visitors can swim. Meanwhile, Kiwanis and Wagner offer an array of sports facilities, such as courts for basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball. Visitors can play pickleball and soccer at Wagner and tennis at Kiwanis.Annual lakeside events
This series begins in the early summer when the weather is fairest in Wisconsin. Local and international acts perform at the Waterfront Wednesday Concert Series. Typically, the Pewaukee Kiwanis Beach Party and Lake Country Clean Water Festival are held around the same time as well. These events promote sustainability and preservation of Lake Pewaukee and its surrounding waterways.