Lake Keesus Homes for Sale
Lake Keesus sits in the northern part of Waukesha County, about a 20-minute drive from downtown Milwaukee. It lies just east of the Village of North Lake and west of the Village of Merton. For anglers, Lake Keesus is one of the more fishing-friendly lakes in the region, with 11 public launch stalls and a no-wake policy before 9 a.m. that keeps the water calm for early morning fishing.
At 236 acres, Lake Keesus is one of the smaller lakes in Lake Country, and home inventory here is limited. You'll usually find only a handful of listings on the market at any given time. The lake suits buyers looking for a summer home or a fishing retreat rather than a large active boating lake. Public access to Lake Keesus only opened in 1999, so it stays quieter and less known than the larger public lakes nearby.
Scroll down to view Lake Keesus homes for sale, or read more about Lake Keesus real estate below.
View Lake Keesus Homes on the MLS®
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- $600,000 - $700,000
- $800,000 - $900,000
- Over $1,000,000
Lake Keesus at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Size | 236 acres |
| Maximum depth | 38 feet |
| Water clarity | Good |
| Public access | Public (11 launch stalls; access opened 1999) |
| Activity level | Low to moderate |
| Boating rule | No-wake before 9 a.m. |
| Location | Northern Waukesha County, between North Lake and Merton |
| School district | Arrowhead Union High School area |
| Typical price range | $400K to $1M+ |
About Lake Keesus Real Estate
Lake Keesus offers a more accessible entry point into Lake Country waterfront than the larger estate lakes. Homes here range from modest cottages and summer retreats to year-round residences, with lakefront pricing generally running from the $400,000s into the seven figures depending on frontage and the home itself. Because the lake is small and the shoreline is fully developed, listings are limited and well-priced homes rarely sit for long.
If your priority is fishing and a quieter lake rather than high-speed boating, Lake Keesus is one of the better values in the region. Buyers who want a summer place within easy reach of Milwaukee, without the price tag of Pine Lake or Oconomowoc Lake, find a lot to like here.
Fishing on Lake Keesus
Fishing is the main draw on Lake Keesus. The lake holds a healthy mix of species, including:
- Crappie
- Bluegill
- Yellow perch
- Walleye (walleye pike)
The 11 public launch stalls give easy water access, and the no-wake rule before 9 a.m. keeps mornings calm for anglers. That combination makes Lake Keesus stand out among Lake Country lakes for fishing specifically. The relatively recent public access (opened in 1999) means the lake still flies under the radar compared to busier waters like Pewaukee and Okauchee.
Living on Lake Keesus
It's a quieter, smaller lake. At 236 acres, Lake Keesus won't feel like the large active lakes. That's the appeal for buyers who want calm water and a relaxed pace over weekend boat traffic.
The location is convenient. About 20 minutes from downtown Milwaukee and minutes from North Lake, Merton, and Hartland, with quick access to area highways.
Inventory is tight. With a fully developed shoreline and only a few listings at any time, buyers need to move quickly when the right home appears. We can set up alerts so you hear about new Lake Keesus listings early.
Schools fall in the Arrowhead area. Homes around Lake Keesus generally feed into the Arrowhead Union High School district, though you should always confirm zoning for a specific address.
How Lake Keesus Compares to Nearby Lakes
Lake Keesus sits in the entry-level-to-mid tier of Lake Country lakes. Here's how it compares to its closest neighbors:
| Lake | Size | Max Depth | Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Keesus | 236 acres | 38 ft | Public | Fishing, summer retreats, value |
| North Lake | 440 acres | 56 ft | Public | Mid-size recreation, moderate activity |
| Beaver Lake | 229 acres | 46 ft | Public | Quiet living, value-priced waterfront |
| Okauchee Lake | 1,210 acres | 90 ft | Public | High activity, large boating lake |
If you want a small, affordable fishing lake, Lake Keesus and Beaver Lake are the strongest matches. For something a bit larger, North Lake steps up in size. If you want a big active boating lake instead, look at Okauchee. Compare all 11 lakes on our Lakes hub.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Keesus
How big is Lake Keesus?
Lake Keesus covers 236 acres and reaches a maximum depth of 38 feet, making it one of the smaller lakes in the Lake Country region. The water clarity is rated good. It sits in northern Waukesha County between the villages of North Lake and Merton, about 20 minutes from downtown Milwaukee. The lake has public access through 11 launch stalls, which opened in 1999, and a no-wake rule before 9 a.m. that keeps mornings calm. Its smaller size means lower boat traffic and a quieter atmosphere than the large active lakes nearby. For buyers, the limited shoreline means home inventory stays tight, with usually only a few listings available at any time.
Is Lake Keesus good for fishing?
Yes, Lake Keesus is one of the more fishing-friendly lakes in Lake Country. It holds a solid mix of species including crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, and walleye pike. The lake offers 11 public launch stalls for easy water access, and the no-wake policy before 9 a.m. keeps the water calm for early morning anglers. Because public access only opened in 1999, the lake stays quieter and less crowded than larger, more established public lakes like Pewaukee or Okauchee. The combination of good fishing, easy access, and limited boat traffic makes Lake Keesus a favorite for anglers and buyers looking for a fishing retreat rather than a high-speed boating lake.
How much do Lake Keesus homes cost?
Lake Keesus is one of the more affordable lakefront markets in Lake Country. Lakefront homes generally start in the $400,000s and run into the seven figures depending on shoreline frontage, lot size, and the home itself. This makes it accessible compared to the region's estate lakes like Pine Lake and Oconomowoc Lake, where prices climb well into the millions. The tradeoff is size and inventory: Lake Keesus is small, its shoreline is fully developed, and only a handful of homes list at any given time. Well-priced properties tend to sell quickly. Our team can pull current Lake Keesus listings and recent sales so you have an accurate read on the market before making an offer.
Where is Lake Keesus located?
Lake Keesus is in northern Waukesha County, Wisconsin, between the Village of North Lake to the west and the Village of Merton to the east. It sits about a 20-minute drive from downtown Milwaukee, with quick access to area highways. The lake is close to Hartland and the broader Lake Country region. Homes around Lake Keesus generally fall within the Arrowhead Union High School district, though buyers should always confirm school zoning for a specific address. The northern location keeps it a bit removed from the busier central Lake Country lakes, which is part of what gives Lake Keesus its quieter character and its appeal as a fishing and summer retreat destination.
Is Lake Keesus a public lake?
Yes, Lake Keesus is a public lake, though public access is relatively recent. The lake opened to public access in 1999 and offers 11 public launch stalls. A no-wake rule before 9 a.m. helps keep the water calm during early morning hours, which anglers appreciate. Despite being public, Lake Keesus stays quieter than the larger, longer-established public lakes in the region because of its smaller size and more recent access history. For waterfront homeowners, this means the benefits of a public lake (easy launching, fishing access) without the heavy weekend boat traffic of bigger lakes. The lake's manageable size and limited development keep the overall atmosphere relaxed year-round.
Why work with Lake Country Listings on Lake Keesus?
Lake Keesus is a small, tight-inventory market where timing and local knowledge make the difference. Our team has worked Lake Country for over 20 years and ranks as the #1 producing real estate team in the region. We track Lake Keesus listings closely, understand the riparian rights and pier permit considerations that come with waterfront ownership, and can set up alerts so you hear about new homes early. We also run private water tours, which is a useful way to evaluate a smaller lake before you buy. JJ Hausmann founded the team and leads it from our Delafield office. Whether you're buying or selling on Lake Keesus, we bring deep local market knowledge to the table.
Search Lake Keesus and Other Lake Country Lakes
Browse current Lake Keesus listings above, or contact our team to arrange a showing or set up a custom search. To compare Lake Keesus against the other 10 major lakes in the region, visit our Lakes hub.