Shell Lake, Wisconsin
Shell Lake is a city of 1,459 people in Washburn County, Wisconsin.
Why visit Shell Lake
Townapedia lists 3 museums and landmarks, 1 park or trail and 2 places to stay in and around town.
Highlights include Shell Lake Arts Center and The Potter's Shed.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 80°F; January lows average 1°F, and about 56 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Shell Lake
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Shell Lake
Shell Lake is a city in Washburn County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,371 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Washburn County.
From the Wikipedia article Shell Lake, Wisconsin (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Museums and landmarks3
Parks, trails and playgrounds1
Where to stay2
Shell Lake Municipal Campground
Campground · 1.2 mi
Hwy. 63, Shell Lake
Churches and places of worship1
History
A post office called Shell Lake has been in operation since 1880. The city took its name from nearby Shell Lake, which was named for the shells of freshwater bivalves found along its shores.
Shell Lake was recognized as a village beginning in 1880 and later incorporated as a city in 1961. It occupies a total area of 10.20 square miles, of which 5.81 square miles is land and 4.39 square miles is water.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Shell Lake developed as a regional center for lumber production and rail transport. Over time, it transitioned into a small, close-knit community centered on tourism and local commerce. For much of the 20th century, a single family-run grocery store served as a central fixture of daily life in the community, reflecting the town’s enduring emphasis on local businesses and neighborly ties.
Additional historical details are preserved at the Shell Lake Public Library, including the locally published book The Story of Shell Lake, written by A. L. Stouffer.
Local folklore speaks of a kind blonde figure often seen near the lake on warm summer evenings, a gentle presence said to reflect the close-knit, caring spirit that has defined the community for generations.
From the History section of Shell Lake, Wisconsin on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Shopping1
Schools, colleges and libraries8
Healthcare2
Map of Shell Lake
18 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21°F | 1°F | 0.8 in | 11.3 in |
| Feb | 26°F | 4°F | 0.8 in | 9.6 in |
| Mar | 40°F | 18°F | 1.4 in | 9.4 in |
| Apr | 54°F | 31°F | 2.8 in | 4.8 in |
| May | 67°F | 44°F | 4.1 in | 0.4 in |
| Jun | 76°F | 54°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 80°F | 58°F | 4.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 78°F | 56°F | 3.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 70°F | 48°F | 3.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 56°F | 36°F | 3.2 in | 0.8 in |
| Nov | 39°F | 23°F | 1.7 in | 6.2 in |
| Dec | 26°F | 9°F | 1.2 in | 13.2 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Spooner Ag Res Stn Hcn (7 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Washburn County has had 7 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for biologicals.
- 2020-04-04: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2016-08-09: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2005-09-13: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
- 2002-09-10: Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding (Tornado)
- 2001-05-11: Flooding, Severe Storms And Tornadoes (Flood)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Rice Lake Regional Airport (RIE) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 22 miles away.
- Frederic 27 mi west, about 44 min by car
- Luck 29 mi west, about 46 min by car
- Little Round Lake 31 mi northeast, about 50 min by car
- Grantsburg 37 mi west, about 1 h by car
- Taylors Falls 43 mi southwest, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Dresser 43 mi southwest, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Rock Creek 48 mi west, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Lindstrom 51 mi southwest, about 1 h 15 min by car
- New Richmond 52 mi southwest, about 1 h 30 min by car
- North Branch 53 mi west, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Washburn county WI Shell Lake IMG 1660, Bjoertvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0
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