The Eagle River is a tributary

Tributary

A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...

 of the Wisconsin River

Wisconsin River

-External links:* * * , Wisconsin Historical Society* * * *...

 in northeastern Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...

 in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. Via the Wisconsin River, it is part of the watershed

Drainage basin

A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...

 of the Mississippi River

Mississippi River

The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...

, draining an area of 181.7 square miles (470.6 km²) in the state's Northern Highland

Northern Highland

The Northern Highland is a geographical region covering much of the northern territory of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The region stretches from the state border with Minnesota in the west to the Michigan border in the east, and from Douglas and Bayfield Counties in the north to Wood and Portage...

 region. The river flows for much of its length through a series of lake

Lake

A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...

s; the network of 28 lakes in the Eagle River's watershed is locally claimed to be the "world's largest chain of inland freshwater lakes."

The Eagle River rises in extreme western Forest County

Forest County, Wisconsin

Forest County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2010 census, the population was 9,304. Its county seat is Crandon.-Indian Reservations:...

 in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is a 1,530,647 acre U.S. National Forest in northern Wisconsin in the United States. Much of the old growth forest in this region was destroyed by logging in the early part of the 20th century...

, and flows generally northwestwardly in northeastern Oneida County

Oneida County, Wisconsin

Oneida County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 36,776. Its county seat is Rhinelander.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,236 square miles , of which 1,124 square miles is land and 111 square...

 and southeastern Vilas County

Vilas County, Wisconsin

Vilas County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 21,033. Its county seat is Eagle River.-Settlement:Vilas County was set off from Oneida County on April 12, 1893 and named for William Freeman Vilas...

, passing through the Oneida County town of Three Lakes

Three Lakes, Wisconsin

Three Lakes is a town in Oneida County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,339 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place of Three Lakes is located in the town.-Geography:...

 and the Vilas County towns of Washington

Washington, Vilas County, Wisconsin

Washington is a town in Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,577 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 47.5 square miles , of which, 41.4 square miles of it is land and 6.2 square miles of it...

 and Lincoln

Lincoln, Vilas County, Wisconsin

Lincoln is a town in Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,579 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.2 square miles , of which, 32.6 square miles of it is land and 4.6 square miles of it ...

, and the city of Eagle River

Eagle River, Wisconsin

Eagle River is a city in Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,443 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Vilas County. The city is known for being a popular "Northwoods" vacation town...

. Along its course it flows through Big, Dog, Deer, Big Stone, Laurel, Medicine, Little Fork, Island, Round, Planting Ground, and Long Lakes in Oneida County; and Cranberry, Catfish, Voyageur, Eagle, Otter, Lynx, Duck, and Yellow Birch Lakes in Vilas County. It flows into Watersmeet Lake on the Wisconsin River in the town of Lincoln, approximately two miles (3 km) west of the city of Eagle River.