Wisconsin is a curious place. It’s got a little bit of every type of monster. Sasquatch. Lake monsters. Dogmen. Kangaroos. Wait, did I just say kangaroos? Yep … and you can get this cryptid scoop after the jump.

Wisconsin, The Great Lakes State With A Monstrous Number Of Monsters

Wisconsin’s wilderness makes it easy for monster legends to grow. The state has vast forests, quiet lakes, and wide open fields. These remote areas are perfect for creatures to hide. With so many places with a low human population, it’s no surprise that stories of mysterious creatures keep popping up. Whether it’s the lonely roads of Bray Road or the ominous waters of Lake Pepin, Wisconsin’s natural environment helps these stories live on.

List Of Fearsome Creatures

Let’s get to know the these fearsome creatures (bonus points if you recognize that from lumberjack lore).

Beast Of Bray Road

Description: A wolf-like creature with humanoid features, often described as having glowing eyes and thick fur. It stands about 7 feet tall, walks on two legs, and has an aggressive, predatory demeanor.

Time of Sightings: Primarily reported at night, especially around dusk or dawn. Sightings are most frequent in the late fall and early winter months, likely due to the reduced daylight and the creature’s nocturnal nature.

Territory: Rural areas near Elkhorn, Wisconsin, specifically along Bray Road and the surrounding forests.

Diet: Likely carnivorous, possibly hunting smaller wildlife or scavenging from local farms.

Danger: 4/5 – Though the creature has never been directly responsible for any deaths, its large, intimidating appearance and aggressive behavior make it highly dangerous.

History of Sightings: The Beast was first reported in the late 1980s and has continued to be a popular cryptid in Wisconsin folklore, drawing investigations from both locals and cryptozoologists. Sightings remain frequent, with several in the 1990s and 2000s.

Last Eyewitness Report: A 2021 report detailed a glowing-eyed figure spotted on Bray Road, seen by a local driver who claimed it chased their vehicle briefly before disappearing into the woods.

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Wisconsin Dogman

Description: A large, muscular, humanoid creature with the head of a dog or wolf. It is usually reported to be at least 7 feet tall, with sharp claws and a terrifying howl.

Time of Sightings: Most sightings occur during the night, particularly around full moons. It is often associated with the spring and fall months, as the creature seems more active during these transitional periods.

Territory: Central and northern Wisconsin, particularly in more wooded, rural regions.

Diet: Carnivorous; it likely hunts small to medium-sized mammals or scavenges.

Danger: 5/5 – The Wisconsin Dogman is often described as aggressive, with some reports suggesting it may try to attack or intimidate humans.

History of Sightings: The earliest reports date back to 1989 near Antigo, with sightings continuing through the years. It has been associated with the full moon, and many witnesses report hearing its unsettling howls.

Last Eyewitness Report: In 2019, a camper in northern Wisconsin reported hearing strange howling sounds in the night, followed by a glimpse of a large, wolf-like figure moving between trees.

Author note: My first paranormal encounter was with a monster, not a ghost. It may have been the Wisconsin Dogman that I saw on our farm during a snowstorm.

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Hodag

Description: A creature resembling a giant reptilian, with the body of a dinosaur and the head of a frog. It has thick legs, sharp claws, and a tail that ends in a spiked tip.

Time of Sightings: Originally reported sightings took place in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Modern-day sightings are extremely rare, with some individuals claiming sightings in the woods around Rhinelander during the summer months.

Territory: Originally reported in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, but it is now considered a local legend.

Diet: It’s been speculated that it would eat small mammals or perhaps larger creatures based on its size and the reports of its hunger.

Danger: 3/5 – Though the Hodag is considered a hoax, it was described as dangerous and aggressive when first “discovered.” Its reputation remains somewhat feared, even if its actual existence is debunked.

History of Sightings: The Hodag was first “discovered” by Eugene Shepard in 1893, who famously presented a hoax photograph of the creature. Despite this, the Hodag became entrenched in Wisconsin folklore and continues to attract tourists.

Last Eyewitness Report: There have been no legitimate recent sightings, but the creature’s reputation and hoax stoke local interest, especially in Rhinelander.

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Lake Pepin Monster (Pepi)

Description: A serpentine creature with a long body, resembling a giant eel or snake, reported to inhabit Lake Pepin along the Mississippi River.

Time of Sightings: Sightings have been recorded in both spring and summer months, particularly when the waters are calm. The monster is reportedly more active during the early morning or twilight hours.

Territory: Lake Pepin, located along the Mississippi River, near the border of Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Diet: Likely fish or small aquatic mammals, feeding in the deep waters of the lake.

Danger: 3/5 – Although sightings suggest it could be large and capable of frightening interactions, there are no reports of aggressive behavior.

History of Sightings: Reports of the Lake Pepin Monster date back to the early 1900s, with modern sightings occurring throughout the last century. Several eyewitnesses have described seeing a large, moving shape in the lake.

Last Eyewitness Report: In 2017, a boater reported seeing a large, serpentine shape move swiftly across the water before disappearing beneath the surface, leaving large ripples behind.

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Rhinelander Sasquatch

Description: A variation of Bigfoot, this creature is often described as a large, hairy humanoid standing around 7-8 feet tall. It is thought to be similar to the Pacific Northwest Sasquatch but adapted to Wisconsin’s dense forests and freezing winters.

Time of Sightings: Primarily reported during the fall and winter months, with many sightings occurring at dusk or dawn when visibility is low.

Territory: The forests surrounding Rhinelander, Wisconsin, particularly in the northern parts of the state.

Diet: Omnivorous, with reports of the Sasquatch feeding on both plant material and small animals.

Danger: 2/5 – Most reports describe the creature as reclusive and non-aggressive. While it is large and intimidating, it rarely poses a threat to humans.

History of Sightings: The Rhinelander Sasquatch has been spotted several times over the past few decades. The first reported sightings occurred in the 1980s, with more recent reports continuing through the 2000s.

Last Eyewitness Report: In 2020, a hiker near Rhinelander claimed to have caught a glimpse of a large, furry figure moving swiftly through the woods, though no photographic evidence was obtained.

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Waukesha Mothman

Description: A humanoid figure with large, bat-like wings and glowing red eyes, described as having a dark, shadowy body. It’s often linked to other sightings of the Mothman creature around the world.

Time of Sightings: Most sightings occur during the fall, especially in October. The Mothman is often reported at night or during early twilight hours.

Territory: Waukesha, Wisconsin, specifically near the Kettle Moraine region.

Diet: Unknown, though believed to be omnivorous or predatory.

Danger: 3/5 – While no direct attacks have been reported, its eerie appearance and unsettling behavior could cause significant fear and panic.

History of Sightings: The first sightings of the Waukesha Mothman were reported in the mid-2000s. Some theorists suggest it could be a localized version of the Mothman sightings from West Virginia.

Last Eyewitness Report: In 2019, a local resident reported seeing a large, winged creature fly across a road near Waukesha at night, with glowing eyes and a screeching sound.

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Rock Lake Monster

Description: A large, serpentine creature resembling a sea serpent or giant eel, reported to inhabit Rock Lake near Lake Mills, Wisconsin.

Time of Sightings: Sightings are mostly reported during the warmer months, with the summer and fall being the peak seasons. The creature is often seen during early morning hours or at dusk.

Territory: Rock Lake, located in southeastern Wisconsin.

Diet: Likely aquatic life, including fish and other small creatures in the lake.

Danger: 2/5 – Descriptions of the creature are often passive and non-aggressive, though it is large and capable of alarming those who encounter it.

History of Sightings: The earliest reports date back to the early 1800s, with various fishermen and boaters claiming to have seen large, undulating shapes in the water.

Last Eyewitness Report: In 2015, a fisherman reported seeing a large shape moving under the water, with some suggesting it could be a large fish or eel.

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Ice Man Of Chequamegon National Forest*

Description: A creature with the appearance of a frozen humanoid or yeti, said to have a matted coat of fur and a terrifying scream. *This creature likely became the infamous Minnesota Iceman, and it’s also thought to be a Rhinelander Sasquatch.

Time of Sightings: Sightings occur mostly during the winter months, when snow and cold temperatures make it easier to track its movements in the snow.

Territory: The northern forests of Wisconsin, particularly near the Chequamegon National Forest.

Diet: Carnivorous, often described as preying on small mammals and occasionally attacking larger animals.

Danger: 4/5 – The Ice Man is reported to be aggressive, particularly when provoked, and could be deadly in certain situations.

History of Sightings: Reports of the Ice Man date back to the 1960s, with multiple sightings over the decades, though it has not been extensively studied.

Last Eyewitness Report: A 2018 report described a large creature moving through the snow, with witnesses claiming they heard its haunting scream before it disappeared into the forest.

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Phantom Kangaroo

Description: A mysterious creature resembling a kangaroo, reported to be hopping through the forests of Wisconsin. This cryptid is often seen at night, with glowing eyes and a large, muscular tail. It has been described as jumping over fences and roads with surprising agility.

Time of Sightings: Sightings are generally reported at night, particularly during late fall or winter, when fewer people are out at night, and the cryptid is less likely to be disturbed.

Territory: The forests around Waukesha and the southern regions of Wisconsin, particularly near rural farms and wooded areas.

Diet: Omnivorous, though little is known about its eating habits. Some reports suggest it may feed on small mammals, crops, or forage like other herbivores.

Danger: 2/5 – Though strange and alarming to witnesses, the Phantom Kangaroo is not typically aggressive. It is often seen fleeing from humans rather than engaging them.

History of Sightings: The first sightings were reported in the 1980s, though a resurgence occurred in the 2000s when more reports came from locals in rural Wisconsin. These sightings often involve brief glimpses of the creature hopping through woods or fields. Get more on kangaroos.

Last Eyewitness Report: A 2019 report came from a farmer near Waukesha who saw a large kangaroo-like creature hopping across his field at night. He described seeing glowing eyes before it disappeared into the woods.

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Door County Devil

Description: A cryptid described as a large, winged creature with the head of a devil and a sinister red glow. Its wingspan is reported to be nearly 10 feet.

Time of Sightings: Sightings typically occur at night, especially near dusk or just before dawn. It is particularly active in the spring and fall when there are fewer visitors in the area.

Territory: The Door County peninsula, particularly around caves and cliffs near the water.

Diet: Likely carnivorous, potentially hunting smaller mammals or scavenging.

Danger: 5/5 – The creature has been described as extremely dangerous, with some reports of aggressive behavior.

History of Sightings: The earliest sightings date back to the 1800s, with the creature being linked to strange disappearances and supernatural events.

Last Eyewitness Report: In 2020, a group of hikers reported seeing a large, shadowy figure flying over the cliffs at dusk, with eyes that glowed bright red in the fading light.

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Sources

“Beast of Bray Road.” Wisconsin Frights, 2021, www.wisconsinfrights.com/bray-road/.

“Beast of Bray Road: Wisconsin’s Unusual, Real-Life Werewolf Legend.” All That’s Interesting, 2021, allthatsinteresting.com/beast-of-bray-road.

“Beast of Bray Road: What Are People Seeing?” Cryptozoology, Reddit, 2019, www.reddit.com/r/Cryptozoology/comments/iscke1/the_beast_of_bray_road_what_are_people_seeing/.

“Beast of Bray Road: Werewolf or Dogman of Wisconsin.” C. Wesley Clough, 2023, cwesleyclough.wordpress.com/2023/08/04/the-beast-of-bray-road-werewolf-or-dogman-of-wisconsin/.

“The Beast of Bray Road: Wisconsin’s Claim to Cryptid Fame.” HowStuffWorks, 2021, science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/strange-creatures/beast-of-bray-road.htm.

“The Beast of Bray Road: What Are People Seeing?” Cryptozoology, Reddit, 2019, www.reddit.com/r/Cryptozoology/comments/iscke1/the_beast_of_bray_road_what_are_people_seeing/.

“Hodag.” Wikipedia, 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hodag.

“Hodag of American Folklore.” Into Horror History, J.A. Hernandez, 2021, www.jahernandez.com/posts/hodag-of-american-folklore.

“Hodag Capture Stories.” Rhinelander Historical Society, 2021, rhinelanderhistoricalsociety.org/article/hodag-capture/.

“Lake Pepin Monster.” Cryptid Wiki – Fandom, 2021, cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Pepie.

“Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance.” Facebook, 2021, www.facebook.com/lakepepinlegacyalliance/videos/favorite-pepie-sighting/304208111313000/.

“Rock Lake Sea Serpent.” Hoard Historical Museum, 2021, hoardmuseum.org/rock-lake-sea-serpent/.

“Rock Lake Terror (Rocky).” Wisconsin Lake Monsters, Wisconsin Frights, 2021, www.wisconsinfrights.com/wisconsin-lake-monsters/.

“The Ice Man.” Wikipedia, 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Iceman.

“How a Wisconsin Bigfoot Became The Minnesota Iceman.” Wisconsin Frights, 2021, https://www.wisconsinfrights.com/wisconsin-bigfoot-minnesota-iceman/.

“The Strange Case of the Minnesota Iceman, Part 1.” Tetrapod Zoology, 2021, tetzoo.com/blog/2023/8/14/minnesota-iceman-part-1.

“Phantom Kangaroo.” Wikipedia, 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_kangaroo.

“Phantom Kangaroo.” Cryptid Wiki – Fandom, 2021, cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Phantom_Kangaroo.

“User Submitted Cryptid Sighting: Phantom Kangaroo.” Pine Barrens Institute, 2021, pinebarrensinstitute.com/user-submitted-encounters/2019/3/10/user-submitted-cryptid-sighting-phantom-kangaroo.

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Thanks for reading this monster article on Ghostly Activities. If you’ve encountered any of these mysterious creatures, let me know in the comments below. Take care!