The Chetek Chain of Lakes is surrounded by the City of Chetek and Townships of Chetek, Dovre, Prairie Lake and Stanley.

• Normal population of City and Townships combined is approximately 7350.
• Summer populations: With many resorts and motels, two Bible camps and 1400 summer residents we estimate our total population grows by 40,000.
• Located in Barron County: area is 864 square miles, population 44,963. Largest city in Barron County is Rice Lake and the largest employer is The Turkey Store Company in Barron.
• The Chetek Alert has been published since 1882.
• Thirty Person “trained” volunteer fire department.
• Wisconsin Central serves Chetek, freight only.
• Three bank in establishments.
• Elementary, middle and full high school education system. (1100 students).
• Two medical, two dental and one eye care clinic.
• Two Chiropractic offices.
• Eight churches serve Chetek.
• A 100 bed nursing home.
• Assisted living facility.
• Twenty four hour police protection.
• Around the clock ambulance and rescue squad service.
• Airport with 3400 feet all weather lighted runway and fuel facilities and also NDB navigation beacon.
• 911 emergency service.

Chetek Chain of Lakes established in 1863 with the building of the Dam. The lakes cover 3800 acres and is surrounded by 95,000 acres of watershed. The chain contains 11,000,000,000 gallons of water.

Fishing abounds in our fertile waters. In addition to Crappies, Bluegills, Perch, Bullheads, Bass, Northern, Walleyes are a popular catch. Our chain is stocked every other year with over 100,000 Walleye Fingerlings. Courtesy of DNR and The Chetek Lakes Protection Association. By all estimated over 400,000 fish are taken annually from our waters. The Chetek Fish-O-Rama committee annually tags over 400 pan fish that have a total value of $50,000.00. If you catch a fish with a cylindrical tag near the dorsal fin, take it to the Rod & Gun Shop and claim you cash reward. Prizes range from $25,00 to $500.00. Previous years fish are worth from $5.00 to 25.00.

Local Diversified Industries:

• Automated Building Components (rafters & trusses)
• Beaver Creek Wood Products (lumber & pallets)
• E-Z Heat (aircraft engine heaters)
• Image plastics (plastic processing)
• The Turkey Store Company (Jenny O food processing and turkey farms)
• Parker Hannifin (hydraulic valves)
• Land Pride (motorized carts for multi uses)
• Springer Glass on Silk (hand blown cake tops etc.)
• Core Products (medical and athletic braces)
• Wax worms Inc. & Northern Bait (wax worms for fishing and agriculture research)
• Lake Country Tool & Design (production and custom machining)
• Sheet Metal Enterprises ( sheet metal fabrication)
• Northwest Roofing ( all roofing needs)