The Town of Koshkonong lies cozily within Jefferson County, Wisconsin, in the south-central region of the state. The focus of activity in the town is the lovely and gracious Lake Koshkonong which straddles the town. The population of Koshkonong was 3,395 at the 2000 census.

When the first white settlers came to the area in the 1800's they were met by Sac, Fox, Potawatomi, and Winnebago Indians. The Winnebago seem to have been in the region the longest and are probably the tribe which gave the lake it's name of Koshkonong, meaning "The Lake We Live On." They had two large settlements in the area, Burnt Village, on the Bark River near Fort Atkinson, and White Crow's Village, on the lake at Carcajou Point. The lake provided all the food the Indians needed. There was an abundance of wild rice, fish, clams, ducks, and other wildlife. The Native Americans continued living in the area until the 1830's. By then all the tribes in the area had ceded their lands to the United States government. Despite the treaties, many Winnebago remained in the area until 1840, when they were forcibly removed to the reservation. Small bands of Winnebagos continued to visit the area until the spring of 1895, when the last Winnebago hunting camp was broken up.

Sauk chief Black Hawk's people lived on the Rock River, farther south near it's mouth at Rock Island, Illinois. Although treaties had been signed which gave the Sauk land to the United States government, Black Hawk and his people wanted to continue to stay in the area. In 1832 they were forced from their land by the United States Army. Despite repeated attempts to surrender, they were pursued until they reached the Mississippi Rive where, at the Battle of Bad Axe, all but 150 of Black Hawk's people were massacred as they tried to cross the river to safety.

Black Hawk's journey had taken him up the Rock River to the area around Lake Koshkonong. For a time during the summer of 1832, a group of approximately 1,200 Indians lived in the area, while Black Hawk and his braves went on raids of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. The camp has traditionally been placed on what is now known as Black Hawk Island, near nearby Fort Atkinson. More recent evidence points to a camp site closer to the mouth of the lake, near Newville.

Among his pursuers was General Henry Atkinson. He ordered the building of a stockade near the the Bark River which was known as Fort Koshkonong, later renamed Fort Atkinson in his honor. Other soldiers passing through the area during the Black Hawk War were Colonel Zachary Taylor and a young Captain Abraham Lincoln. Both men went on to become presidents of the United States. Also in the area during the war was Lieutenant Jefferson Davis, who later became president of the Confederate States of America.

Today, Lake Koshkonong is a favorite place for recreation. In summer, power boats, pontoon boats, paddle boats, sailboats, rowboats, and canoes can all be found on the lake. Along with nearby Rock River, the Koshkonong area is ideal for water skiing, tubing, and jet skiing. Hiking, biking and camping are also popular. Another favorite activity is fishing. The fishery in the lake is maintained by the Wisconsin DNR. They oversee the removal of rough fish from the lake and stock the lake with millions of game fish fry every year. A recent survey of the lake by the DNR found 28 species of fish in the lake including perch, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, white bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, muskie, northern pike, as well as rough fish species such as carp, buffalo, and sheepshead.

Nature lovers enjoy the beautiful and fascinating 52-acre Musk-Ko-Se-Day Park. The park has three distinct areas including an upland oak-hickory woods featuring 14.5 acres of protected floral plants and 17 acres of native prairie plants and shrubs. The northern third of the property is a 20-acre wetland with two natural ponds. A pier overlooking Wanie's Pond allows visitors to view the many migrating waterfowl and the flocks the wetlands attracts from Lake Koshkonong and the Rock River. Sandhill cranes, great blue heron, and green herons are frequently seen here, as are mallard, blue-winged teal, shoveler, wigeon, American black duck, canvasback, and many species of songbirds. Deer, wild turkey, and other common Wisconsin wildlife species can be watched in their natural habitat, surrounded by stands of white cedar. Since no unauthorized motors are allowed in the park residents and guests are frequently seen hiking, cross country skiing, bird watching, studying nature and taking photos. The park's intriguing name comes from combining elements of the several Chippewa Native American words of historical significance to the area.

For more information on activities in and around Koshkonong, Wisconsin, visit:

• Lake Koshkonong
• Town of Koshkonong, WI
• Jefferson County, WI
• Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
• Koshkonong, WI Google Earth Map
• View Koshkonong, WI Area Jobs on Career Builder
• Koshkonong, Wisconsin on Wikipedia.com
• Koshkonong, Wisconsin on epodunk

For more information on activities in and around the South-Central Wisconsin Area, including Jefferson County, Wisconsin, visit:

• Wisconsin: Life's So Good!
• Wisconsin Golfer
• Wisconsin Lakes
• The State of Wisconsin

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