A grid-tied 14.767 kW solar array goes to work at the resort.
BIG LAKE CHETAC · BIRCHWOOD, WISCONSIN · SINCE 1925
Perpetuallynew.
Nineteen lake homes and three lakeside condos in a private bay on the west side of Big Lake Chetac. Fourth generation, same family, same slogan since 1925.
Saturday to Saturday in peak season. Check-in after 2:00 p.m.
(715) 354-3761The keys
Pick one up. Make a week of it.
22 keys · sleep 4 to 14 · 1 to 5 bedrooms
Rates at standard occupancy. *Julie’s House turns over Friday.
A private bay. A week with room to breathe.
Lake loop: illustrativeThe proof
The slogan is a
maintenance schedule.
Another 8 kW, tilting with the season. Together: about 45% of the electricity and 27,000 lb of CO₂ offset a year.
Production and emissions figures reported by the resort.A Tesla level 2 charger adds about 30 miles of range per hour. In 2019, an adapter opens it to every EV.
Charging estimate from the resort.Air conditioning, laundry, an exercise room, a cement launch ramp and wifi. Their history records each as a first on the lake.
The resort’s history-page claim.Since 1925
Fred saw “Perpetually New” on a hotel sign while traveling with the ballclubs. He brought the words home to Chetac.
1901
A nine-year-old comes fishing.
Fred Thomas travels from southern Wisconsin to fish Big Lake Chetac and visit his Uncle Charlie.
1918
“The kid” wins a World Series.
Fred plays third base for the Boston Red Sox. Babe Ruth calls him “the kid.” A hotel slogan seen on his travels stays with him: “Perpetually New.”
1924
Back to the lake.
Fred retires from baseball and buys land on Chetac. He and Connie have two small sons, Robert and Warren.
1925
Lumber comes in by barge.
There is no road to the property. Lumber arrives up the lake from Birchwood. When a forest fire threatens it, Connie ties Robert and Warren to the high chair legs and joins the men fighting the fire. The resort opens that summer.
Early 1930s
A roof over the boats.
A covered boathouse is “a novel idea at the time.” Guests already have electricity from a Kohler power plant, running water, showers and finished interiors.
“It is the feeling of warmth and hospitality, that unique place in your heart when you know you have come home.”From the Thomas family’s history
1958
The second generation steps in.
Fred and Connie retire with 17 modern cottages. Warren and Verena take over, with daughters Christine, Linda, Julie and Anita.
1963
Against the accountants’ advice.
Warren and Verena gut a cottage and rebuild it as the Modernaire. Family, friends, guests and accountants advise against it. Its success sets the course for remodeling the rest.
1987
Twenty-one units. Third generation.
Linda and Julie, Linda’s husband Bob, and the five sons, Mark, Dan, Scott, Ted and Aaron, carry the work forward.
2011 · 2018 · 2020
A gradual handover.
Bob retires in 2011, Linda in 2018, and Julie in 2020.
2021
Ted takes the keys.
Julie’s son Ted becomes the fourth generation. This is the first year run exclusively by that generation.
The lake, the boat,
the day
Bring your boat or rent one here. There’s a place for it under the boathouse roof.
The boathouse
- One free slip per unit for your boat or a resort boat.
- Extra docking: $50/day or $225/week.
- Electricity at the docks and a cement launch.
- Life jackets free.
The water
- Sand-bottom swim area, a RAVE water bouncer and floating mats.
- Free kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and a canoe.
- Tubing, skiing, wakeboarding and wake surfing.
The woods
- Over 75 miles of trail from the resort.
- Trailer parking and a washing station.
- Screened porches for wet riding gear.
- Trail maps at the office.
On the water,
by the week.
“No boat is included in Cottage rental”
20' pontoon · 40 HP
$1,400 / weekCapacity 10. Weekly only. Gas and oil extra. A 50% deposit holds a weekly rental.
Fishing boat · 15 h.p.
$100 / day$350 / week
Electric start, including 6 gallons of gas. Swivel boat seat: $15.
The week
2026, in plain sight.
Every weekly rate, in every season. All units are air-conditioned. Rates below cover standard occupancy, with room for extra people up to each unit’s maximum.
BEST VALUE
April 29 to May 15
September 18 to October 13
DISCOUNT
May 16 to May 29
August 15 to September 17
PEAK
May 30 to August 14
Saturday to Saturday*
| Your place | Sleeps std / max | Best value | Discount | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed / 1 bath lakeside condoKeys A, B, C | 2 / 4 | $845 | $1,125 | $1,470 |
| 2 bed / 2 bath lake homeKeys 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10A, 12 | 4 / 7 | $1,270 | $1,680 | $2,200 |
| 3 bed / 2 bath lake homeKeys 1, 13 | 6 / 10 | $1,605 | $2,125 | $2,790 |
| 3 bed / 3 bath lake homeKey 6 | 8 / 12 | $1,895 | $2,470 | $3,290 |
| 4 bed / 3 bath lake homeKeys 2, 12A | 8 / 12 | $2,085 | $2,700 | $3,620 |
| 2 bed / 2 bath garden viewKey 11 | 4 / 8 | $1,195 | $1,560 | $2,080 |
| 3 bed / 3 bath garden viewKey 14 | 8 / 12 | $1,825 | $2,380 | $3,180 |
| 5 bed / 3 bath lake houseKey 22, Julie’s House | 10 / 14 | $2,190 | $2,855 | $3,805 |
*Julie’s House (key 22) runs Friday to Friday in peak season. Every other unit turns over Saturday. Extra people: $25/night or $100/week, up to the published maximum. Tax and card fees are additional.
A shorter spring or fall stay.
Nightly rates, with a 3-night minimum. Each pair is weekend / weekday.
| Your place | Best value Weekend | Best value Weekday | Discount Weekend | Discount Weekday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed / 1 bath lakeside condo | $185 | $150 | $225 | $175 |
| 2 bed / 2 bath lake home | $275 | $210 | $325 | $250 |
| 3 bed / 2 bath lake home | $340 | $250 | $425 | $305 |
| 3 bed / 3 bath lake home | $395 | $295 | $494 | $355 |
| 4 bed / 3 bath lake home | $430 | $315 | $540 | $380 |
| 2 bed / 2 bath garden view | $260 | $195 | $315 | $230 |
| 3 bed / 3 bath garden view | $350 | $255 | $470 | $310 |
| 5 bed / 3 bath lake house | $550 | $500 | $550 | $500 |
Before you
pack the car.
The practical details from the office. Bring shampoo, hand and dish soap, and kitchen and bath towels.
No smoking.No pets. No fireworks.
Arrival and departure
Check-in after 2:00 p.m. Checkout 8:30 a.m. Bed linens and dishwasher detergent are provided.
Holding your week
Before February 1, $100 holds a reservation. The deposit balance is due February 1. The deposit is 50% of the rental and is non-refundable.
If plans change
Prime-season cancellations less than 45 days before arrival forfeit the deposit and owe the remaining balance. Full cottage and marine rental is charged for the time reserved.
Payment
5.5% Wisconsin sales tax. Cards add 3%: Visa, Mastercard and Discover. Cash and checks welcome.
Little ones
Children two and under stay free and count toward capacity. Pack-n-play $15; high chairs free. Request them before arrival.
Day visitors
One day only. Beyond that, the extra-person rate applies. Fire-code occupancy limits apply to every unit.
Fishing
The resort’s published limits for Big Chetac and Birch Lake. Licenses are no longer sold at the resort. Buy yours at Go Wild or the Edgewater Store.
Walleye daily
18-inch minimum. On Birch Lake, the daily limit is 1.
Bass daily
From the first Saturday in May.
Panfish daily
No more than 10 bluegill.
Northern pike daily
No minimum length.
No more than three hooks, baits or lures. Motor trolling allowed. Lake maps are available at the resort. Read the resort’s fishing information.
What guests say
From the resort’s guest book. The small details tend to stay with people.
“I want to thank everyone for the beautiful getaway and hospitality that I experienced last weekend.”
Mike T.
“My family has been going to Fred Thomas for 50 Years and three generations.”
Steve & Vickie
“Thank you so much for having such a beautiful resort! Our family gathering of 15 had the best fall weekend at your resort. everything we needed was there.”
The Davis Family Reunion
“If you’re looking for a beautiful, peaceful place to unwind, this is it. I can’t imagine anyone not being able to find something to do here.”
The Markens
“You made us feel at home and welcome! Our cabin was super clean and homey and the grounds so well maintained.”
Sharon & Mike
“Our cottage was squeaky clean and comfortable and your grounds are beautiful.”
The Bramschers and Thurstons
“We did find the route for the boat ramp to be a bit challenging. It is very narrow and curvy [...] with a couple of big trees located very close.”
The Nichols
“One day we were looking for him and found him down at the garden area talking to Linda. It warmed my heart.”
Lynne Baker
“It’s not only a resort, it’s a tradition”guest book, Fred Thomas Resort
Find us
2086 N County Road FBirchwood, WI 54817
Four miles from Birchwood, in Sawyer County, on the west side of Big Lake Chetac. Nearby: Birch, Balsam, Red Cedar, Long and the Spider Lakes.