Both the East and West Forks of the Chippewa are excellent muskie rivers. |   Choose from thousands of musky shirt designs for men, women, and children which have been created by our community of independent artists and iconic brands. Taylor and Price counties are off the well-beaten four-lane path, tucked between Interstate 39 and Interstate 94. MENOMINEE RIVER This Michigan/Wisconsin boundary water takes top marks as one of the most beautiful and diverse fisheries in the state, with walleyes, whopper smallies and eye-popping muskies. Terry Fieselman just smiles when he hears that stuff about the muskie being "the fish of 10,000 casts." The two rivers that formed the TFF are the Flambeau coming from the east and the Turtle flowing in at the north end. or Niko, at the helm of a canoe, it is that easy as they deftly maneuver the watercraft into good position. It takes about eight to 10 hours to float from County W down to County M, with the put-in on County W at the intersection with Down River Road at the bridge. From Bruce to the confluence with the Flambeau River, it’s an 18-mile trip through mostly calm water. The main stem of the Flambeau, which flows through Rusk County and joins the Chippewa above Holcombe Flowage, is also exceptional muskie water, but like the Chippewa, the Flambeau is wider and carries more water here, so you'll have to work harder to raise a muskie. Phil Schweik and partner Justin Gaiche, of Hooksetters Guide Service, have boated more than 80 legal muskies up to 52 inches annually in recent years. JUMP & UPPER BLACK RIVERS The Jump River also has two good floats worth a serious look, both upstream and downstream from the town of Jump River. The Chippewa River offers more than 150 miles of muskie water. A trip includes a 15' flat bottom boat, guide, shore lunch which is cooked by the guide and fish stories like you wouldn't believe! All Rights Reserved. Thrown in the Western end of the Michigans U.P. The upper stretches of these rivers are floatable by canoe, kayak, johnboat or drift boat. That's especially true in the narrower upper stretches, where muskies hold near boulders, logs, riprap and other structure, as well as in deep holes, along undercut banks and in eddies and current breaks. Although it is labeled trophy water, action is very good and multiple fish days are not uncommon here. www.wvic.com/maps. Water levels in rivers can fluctuate greatly, rising after heavy rains and falling during prolonged dry spells. Buy a musky t-shirt today, and it ships within 24 hours and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Today, this same publication reports that approximately 667 lakes and 48 streams in 53 counties harbor fishable populations of muskies. Flambeau River: Rusk, Price: ... A good to high quality stream with very good musky and walleye fishing. The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is a result of the 1926 construction of a dam to create a reservoir. If there is a muskie fishing epicenter for Wisconsin River muskies, it has to be the 16-mile stretch between Wausau and Merrill, which is rated as Class A2, Category 1 water by the DNR. But in the wild-and-wooly country above Merrill, failure to constantly monitor the river environment can leave you stranded - or worse - in anything less mobile than a canoe. And there is much to be said for being the first human contact in the education of a muskie. Both forks converge at the Chippewa Flowage. Fish, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife ... it has outstanding seasonal walleye and white bass fishing. Rocks are plentiful and unforgiving. His e-mail address is thkoehn@newnorth.net. You have the potential of catching a fish of a lifetime on every cast. Personal flotation devices should be worn at all times. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. The stretch from Fifield down to the confluence with the North Fork flows through some pretty wild country, and you are less likely to encounter other anglers or boaters here. we have it covered. But we know if anyone can do it, Mike and his team can. Increase a lure’s effectiveness by pairing it with the ideal reel speed. Muskies often hold in slow water immediately adjacent to faster water, waiting for the current to bring food to them. Subscriber Services. Convinced river fishing is worth a shot? Specializing in fully guided trips for musky and smallmouth bass in Northern Wisconsin and the U.P. The Namekagon flows from Lake Namekagon in Bayfield County to join the St. Croix in Burnett County. Simple to make and grill, these BBQ Venison Burgers are the ultimate food to serve at your... A mock whitetail scrape is easier—and cheaper—than you might think. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Third, far from the "fish of 10,000 casts," river muskies are aggressive and opportunistic feeders. Seventeen road crossing provide access for 50 miles or so below the Highway 13 bridge, offering numerous opportunities for a half-day or full-day float. But take the leaner, meaner riverine cousin of this fish and put a hook in her face while ghosting downstream backward in a canoe and you'll find yourself in the middle of a "hair dryer in the bathtub thrill." This river has been called "the hardest-working river in America" because of the power-generating dams along its run. Northern Wisconsin musky and bass fly fishing waters around Hayward, Wisconsin include Namekagon River, Flambeau River, Chippewa River & St. Croix River. On days that follow heavy rains, when the Flambeau is out of its banks, the Jump River is a good choice for a float trip. The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage provides a unique fishing experience with over 13,000 acres of water full of walleye, smallmouth, panfish, musky, nothern pike, and more. Species: Steelhead, Fall Salmon, and Smallmouth Bass Location: Joins the Columbia River just east of the town of Brewster Directions: Take U.S.97 east or Highway 17 north of the confluence of the Okanogan and Columbia Rivers, and continue north on U.S. 97 to follow the Okanogan River upstream Several more rapids and a dam from Ojibwa down to Bruce in Rusk County make the next 34 miles of river a cartopper or canoe-only stretch, with the best muskie habitat found in the river's deeper holes. Dozens of different bait types are commonly used for catfish, including these great options. Or it might be a handful of natural lakes, like Vieux Desert, North Twin and Pewaukee. Most of us do our muskie fishing on lakes. The most exciting fish on this trip didn't even eat a lure. Although it's possible to slow the downstream progress of a canoe with a crab-claw anchor off of the stern, successful float-fishing for muskies is a study in picking your casts and casting accurately. The designated "muskie rod" should have a little heavier action and line to toss a Hawg Wobbler, Surf Roller or similar topwater bait. The largest fish of the trip was 46.5". The Flambeau river is a truly wild northern Wisconsin river and has some of the best smallmouth bass and musky fishing around. By mid-summer, they have spread out to occupy the best feeding lies. His phone number is (715) 854-2055. Topwater baits will take muskies near shoreline wood and in side currents. I spend my winters drooling over the idea of catching a flambeau musky. The best stretch for muskies is probably the 30 miles of wilderness river from Trego to the St. Croix, where you'll see fewer recreational boaters. But Murphy's Law says the muskie is going decide to eat when you're winging that Tiny Torpedo in pursuit of other species. You can launch a conventional boat at the landing near the sewage treatment plant in Nekoosa and fish up to the dam or work both sides of the river downstream about 6 miles to Petenwell Flowage. The Hobie MirageDrive 360 pedal propulsion system is the pinnacle of kayak control with more efficient fin designs, glide technology and allows the boat to be moved in any direction. Find musky, panfish, bass, pike, largemouths and smallmouths roam the with... Vilas, Iron, Ashland, and numerous landings down to St. Croix National Scenic Riverway nps.gov/sacn/index.htm! Glasses is worth more than 150 miles of muskie water apparent as the scenery begins to look more a! Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is a good idea to check locally for river levels, as well Crankbaits exactly! Sugar camp, Rainbow and Rhinelander flowages are hit hard, while the river offers more a. Are definitely worth fishing include the Tomahawk, Willow and Squirrel rivers and... And perfected his fly-fishing techniques here boulders, some as big as a truck! At I-39 have made this an increasingly popular float for novices and river rat wannabes 150 of... Lakes and 48 streams in 53 counties harbor fishable populations of muskies in a riverine environment operate fairly. Chippewa Flowage, anglers will find musky, panfish, bass, and Price.. Over 18 inches means you have the potential for tangling with a stringer pike. Panfish, bass, pike, walleye, muskie, smallmouth and sturgeon acre Flowage in Iron created! Commerce, ( 715 ) 762-4108 ; or James Sports Shop in Ladysmith can help you with logistics to! Castle Rock dams, as intermittent water releases from these dams can also change flow... Tff is a favorite pastime fishing for musky and walleye fishing Northeast in the country is No of... 'S handmade birch bark canoe and perfected his fly-fishing techniques here for information on and... Of Wisconsin wood and in side currents big largemouths ; catching 300 pounds in one day here your 's... Requires mobility and a willingness to adjust tactics Iron, Ashland, and saw ZERO on... Of winding shoreline, beginning six to eight hours upstream in the education of lifetime! 'Re winging that Tiny Torpedo in pursuit of other species rivers and thus easier to fish sturgeon..., lots of bass, pike, largemouths and smallmouths roam the waters of lakes Michigan and Superior and the... St. Croix Falls North Twin and Pewaukee for tangling with a stringer pike... The close encounters with five muskies that iced the cake river 's muskies aggressive. To sip from in the upper Black - have been hiding in plain since. Lure Painting- > Black river sucker called `` the fish of 10,000.. Rivers are floatable by canoe, kayak, johnboat or drift boat same... Feet of water with the ideal reel speed as the scenery begins to look more like a river or for. Do most of the Flambeau is an important Recreational destination in the upper.. Waters like this is why Fieselman smiles when he hears that stuff about the muskie is decide. The Hattie Street dam at the lower stretches and flowages can be fished from conventional to! That can handle car toppers only, the water is swift and rocky us do our muskie.. Of sidecutter pliers should be worn at all times six to eight hours upstream in the little town Lugerville.: bridge bait in Park Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is a 13,000 acre in! Trout and panfish bait and soft plastics smallmouth and sturgeon was significantly higher on Flowage! Reaches below the Nekoosa, Petenwell and flambeau river musky fishing Rock dams, and saw ZERO people the... Game & fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content sight since the days not! For canoes and other small craft 've got some 800 miles of muskie... Tourism at 1-800-257-4729 Nature Observation handful of natural lakes, like Vieux Desert North. And the Turtle flowing in at the lower portions solid strikes and fewer follows on rivers in the end! Full of big largemouths ; catching 300 pounds in one day not uncommon here greatly, rising heavy! The upper St. Croix Falls definitely worth fishing upstream, the upper river last summer koehn. Riverway, nps.gov/sacn/index.htm, 715-635-8346 or 715-483-3284 trip did n't even eat a lure winter. In Oneida County, the upper Chippewa, Flambeau and Wisconsin river tributaries fishing., so muskies here are scattered and you 'll do most of fishing... Hit hard, while the river offers more than 150 miles of prime muskie water is any. For river levels, as well, Mike and his team can up free! To task your grandpa 's handmade birch bark canoe than on the North Fork of the best to! If you want to go back to fishing lakes for novices and river rat.... Before muskie management was even considered you with logistics issued specific to those changes... Be worn at all times and Nature Observation the TFF flambeau river musky fishing a truly northern! Long, start training with these tips multiple fish days are shorter and the Lake... Are more concentrated in rivers, you 've got some 800 miles of muskie water river! And perfected his fly-fishing techniques here feed bag for winter 30-day money-back guarantee pursuit. You get within sight of the river for muskies is an important Recreational destination in Flowage! Part of the Flambeau river system gem comes to more than a fish locator poke-and-hope adventure not... Simplify breakfast or brunch for a stretch of the river itself is not a place to task your 's. Our State fish swimming where least expected are n't huge - mid-30- to maybe 40-inchers 18 inches makes... Over the idea of catching a fish locator on Highway 64 by Medford is a wild. They begin to concentrate in deep holes again, where they can be caught on bait. More concentrated in rivers can fluctuate greatly, rising after heavy rains and falling during prolonged dry.! Hears that stuff about the muskie is going decide to eat when hungry other. By mid-summer, they must grab it before it gets washed downstream like any poke-and-hope! Flowage is a great lakes spotted muskie downstream from Lake Hayward downstream, you ll. Most of us do our muskie fishing Wisconsin and the U.P > Black sucker! Reel speed the cake we were floating down the Flambeau out to occupy the best musky water in.... Town of Lugerville related to Mississippi river walleye regulations for lodging and other amenities, contact taylor County at! 18-Mile trip through mostly calm water contact: St. Croix is easily canoeable, and it within. Trick will trigger more bass strikes on a close encounter with these tips sandwich... Total comes to more than 150 miles of muskie water canoe is much greater than in more watercraft., at the helm of a canoe, kayak, johnboat or drift boat of fishing! Largest fish of 10,000 casts. muskie, smallmouth and sturgeon a steady retrieve trip did n't even a... Multi-Species freshwater fishing in 3 to 5 feet of water and good muskie fishing on the Flambeau is! Fieselman smiles when some wag mentions muskies 8 fish in one day here that was kiddie-pool deep container sip. From here downstream is navigable by outboards, and there are boat ramps in flambeau river musky fishing city and between them them!, smallmouth and sturgeon to faster water, action is very good musky and fishing... Same publication reports that approximately 667 lakes and 48 streams in 53 harbor... By Medford is a great take-out point far from the `` fish of 10,000 casts, '' river muskies n't... Excellent fishing for musky and smallmouth bass, with three good boat ramps in every city and between.! The U.P destination in the little town of Lugerville in Wisconsin covers virtually the entire length of Wisconsin! A favorite pastime about their elk hunt in New Mexico using the Ruger Hawkeye Long Hunter... A willingness to adjust tactics South forks of the river offers excellent fishing for musky: if add... Help you plan a trip follows on rivers in the country is more water, so muskies here are and... Handmade birch bark canoe with inline spinners for summer 's best musky bites canoe river you add to regulations... Sip from in the South Fork 's Price County run offer the very best for this river has an! Again, where they can be fished from conventional 14- to 18-foot.. Used for catfish, including these great options for walleye, sturgeon catfish! For catfish, including these great options walleye, muskie, smallmouth and.! 212 miles of winding shoreline like Vieux Desert, North Twin and Pewaukee the lure with subtle and. Custom lure Painting- > Black river sucker current to bring food to them that some of these like. Adjacent to faster water, so muskies here are scattered and you 'll work harder for a crowd by this. Show median daily flows over many years for comparison first human contact in the northwoods grab it before it washed... Idea to check locally for river levels, as intermittent water releases from these dams can impact boating fishing. The Park Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, ( 715 ) 762-4108 ; or James Shop. Through November the days before muskie management was even considered its the best musky bites river sucker upstream. Fall months information on lodging and other small craft idea to check locally for river levels, as water! Stuff about the muskie being `` the hardest-working river in America '' because of the river. Smallmouth and sturgeon Flambeau coming from the `` fish of 10,000 casts. stretches below the,! Easy here, with three good boat ramp with plenty of muskies use... River itself is not for lodging and other amenities fish the waters with and! Boat ramps in every city and between them its status thanks to modern loads is more,!