We are suggesting six separate trips on three different rivers in this guide. Trips #1-#4 describe four continuous sections of the Manitowish River. It flows 44 miles from High Lake to the Turtle Flambeau Flowage. Trip #5 is along the Trout River and Trip #6 is along the Wisconsin River. Each of the four Manitowish River trips has a combination of lakes and river stretches. There are three portages on the slow-flowing Manitowish River. Beginners and avid canoeists can enjoy the scenic beauty. Motors are allowed on the entire route. Ways to avoid motorboat traffic include planning a trip in spring or fall or paddling in the early morning hours during summer. Along the way you will paddle past black spruce bogs, giant white pines along the shore, and wind through a river of lily pads and submerged tree stumps.

Fishing regulations can vary between each body of water, so be sure to stop at the boat landings where regulations are posted. Most of the campsites are isolated from develop ment, but if you are seeking a more wilderness-type experience, alternative places to try would be the Sylvania Wilderness Area, which is further north in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, or the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota.

TRIP #1: High Lake to Fishtrap DamPut in at the High Lake boat landing on the south side of Highway B. The small creek leads to High Lake. Travel southwest through a culvert into Fishtrap Lake. Once through Fishtrap, the river meanders past Johnson and Nixon tributary creeks. Take out at the portage just upstream from the Fishtrap Dam. The 7.5-mile segment could be a day or overnight trip. Total paddling time is four hours.

Suggested Canoe Trips

NORTHERN HIGHLAND AMERICAN LEGION STATE FOREST

10200 Highway N • Boulder Junction, WI 54512 • 715-542-3923

dnr.wi.gov(keywords “NHAL ”)

Equal Opportunity Employer and Americans with Disabilities Act StatementThe Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have questions, please write to Chief, Public Civil Rights, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C. Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

This publication is available in alternative format (large print, Braille, etc.) upon request. Please call the Division of Forestry at 608-267-7494 for more information.

If you need technical assistance or more information, call the Accessibility Coordinator at 608-267-7490/TTY Access via relay - 711.

Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesPO Box 7921, Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7921

dnr.wi.gov • keywords “NHAL”

WDNR Call Center 1-888-936-7463 (toll-free 7 a.m.-10 p.m.)

DNR PUB-FR-179 2019

MAPS INSIDE!

NORTHERN HIGHLAND AMERICAN LEGION STATE FOREST

For Emergency Dial 911Helpful Hints• Keep soap usage at least 100 feet from shore where soil can filter out impurities. Always carry a compass, insect repellent and first aid kit. Please leave a clean site for others – pack out everything you bring in. • Wear shoes appropriate for dragging a canoe over beaver dams, which may be encountered along the way.

DNR PUB-FR-179 2019

Canoe Routes 2019

Photo courtesy of WDNR Archives

Photo courtesy of Kemp Natural Resources Station

Out on the lake.

Photo courtesy of Michele Woodford

TRIP #2: Fishtrap Dam to Highway KTake Highway M north of Boulder Junction and turn on High Fishtrap Road. Stay to the right, which is Dam Road. Put in below the dam that is downstream from the boat landing. The take-out is 6.1 miles downstream at the boat landing just upstream from Highway K. Paddling time is three hours. This could be a day or overnight trip.

TRIP #3: Highway K to Highway 51Put-in for this segment is just below the rapids on Highway K. This segment is 15.5 miles or about eight hours of paddling. Allow multiple days for this trip. A short portage around the 10-foot dam at Rest Lake and Highway W is required. Take out where the Manitowish River and Highway 51 intersect. For a shorter trip (four hours), take out at the Island Lake boat landing.

TRIP #4: Highway 51 to Murray’s LandingThe last segment begins below the Highway 51 bridge and runs 17 miles or about 12 hours of paddling. A USGS topographic map is recommended for this trip as the river flows into the Turtle Flambeau Flowage, but not directly to Murray’s Landing. Allow multiple days for this trip. Taking out at the Highway 51 wayside or the Highway 47 bridge can shorten this segment. Once past the Highway 47 bridge, there is no take-out until Murray’s Landing. Allow eight hours of paddling time for the Highway 47 to Murray’s Landing segment.

TRIP #5: White Sand to Trout RiverThis trip begins at White Sand Lake north of Highway K. Travel south across a portage from White Sand to Lost Canoe Lake. From Lost Canoe, portage into Pallette Lake, which has three portages. The western portage to Stevenson Springs keeps you on the route to Trout Lake. The eastern portage to Escanaba Lake can be a side trip. Escanaba Lake is 100 percent state-owned and a beautiful place to paddle. Be aware that Escanaba and Pallette are research lakes and no fishing is allowed without a permit. Permits must be returned by the end of each day. Staying on the route and portaging to Stevenson Springs will eventually bring you to a sand road. Portage over this road to a small creek that flows to the North Trout Campground and boat landing. Beaver dams will be located along this stretch. The White Sand to North Trout Campground section of this route can be paddled as a day or overnight trip. Enter South Trout Lake through North Trout, and take the Trout River, which passes through Wild Rice, Alder, and Manitowish Lakes. Paddling north of Manitowish Lake and under the Highway 51 bridge into Spider Lake allows you to connect with the Manitowish River Trip. There are a total of three portages on this route. The total distance is 19 miles but can be divided into smaller routes.

TRIP #6: Wisconsin River Trip (Cloverland Drive to Bridge Road)The put-in for this trip is just below the Cloverland Dam off Cloverland Road, west of Eagle River and south of Highway 70. The river is approximately 100 feet wide here with sweeping current. Take-out is at Fredrich Landing, located on the right, just down stream of the bridge on Bridge Road near McNaughton. Motors are allowed on this stretch but will most likely be concentrated on the Rainbow Flowage. A Rainbow Flowage map and a good topographical map are suggested for this route.

This could be a two- or three-day trip. In low water, you may bump into rocks, and high water will make the water flow faster and be more challenging. This trip is more suited to intermediate paddlers.

Rules and Regulations

Welcome!The Northern Highland American Legion State Forest offers canoeists the opportunity to camp along rivers and lakes at designated canoe camp sites. There are currently more than 80 sites in the State Forest. The majority of sites are on the Manitowish River and Manitowish Chain of Lakes.

All campsites have a picnic table and fire ring. Sites are numbered and marked with yellow signs displaying a tepee. Portages are designated by yellow signs with crossed paddles.

Boulder Lake just west of Boulder Junction has an accessible, barrier-free campsite. There is a small boarding dock and crushed granite pathways that lead to a tent pad, picnic table, fire ring and latrine, which are all wheelchair accessible.

There are many places to explore on day trips. For quiet recreation, seek out lakes with “No Motor” or “Electric Motor Only” designation. The State Forest may occasionally close or remove a site due to bald eagle nesting, black bear problems or proximity to private ownership.

Camping is permitted only at designated sites. Do not cut or damage living trees or shrubs. No more than six persons on a site. No fee is required. Access must be by watercraft. Camping is limited to one night only. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no camping allowed on islands in the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest. Islands possess unique characteristics and are susceptible to erosion. Day use is allowed where posted, but to preserve what is there it may be best to enjoy from a distance.

Safety MessagesCanoeingEvery canoe must carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable lifesaving device for each person aboard. Passengers should wear a life jacket at all times. Most forest water trails are slow to moderately slow, but canoeists should be aware of any changing conditions. As a rule, do not overload watercraft.

Drinking WaterBoil all water. Use approved tablets or filters before drinking.

SwimmingSwim safely. Don’t swim alone, at night, or in unfamiliar places. Use caution when wading as water depths may change abruptly. Watch small children closely near the water.

CampfiresUse caution and confine fires to a fire ring. Put the fire out if wind changes cause concern. Watch children closely near the fire. Once you have put a match to the fire, don’t use charcoal starter or any other flammable material. Make sure the fire is completely out and the grill or fire ring is cool before you leave the area.

PlantsNever eat berries or plant materials unless you are certain of their identity. Day Lake primitive campsite.

Photo courtesy of WDNR Archives

7

5431

WINORTHERN

STATEFORESTS

2

6

Come backsoon!

And be sureto visit

Wisconsin’s other Northern

State Forests

1 Governor Knowles State Forest .... 715-463-2898

2 Brule River State Forest ................ 715-372-5678

3 Flambeau River State Forest ........ 715-332-5271

4 Northern Highland American Legion State Forest .....................715-542-3923

5 Peshtigo River State Forest .......... 715-757-3965

6 Black River State Forest ................ 715-284-4103

7 Coulee Experimental State Forest .................................. 608-785-9007

Canoe Routes

Bittersweet Wild Lakes AreaThe 2,553-acre Bittersweet Wild Lakes Area lies a few miles north and east of the town of Woodruff off Highway 70. Its wild seepage lakes (Bittersweet, Prong, Oberlin, and Smith) are small, scenic, undeveloped and connected by portage trails.

The forest surrounding these lakes captures the oldest stands of hemlock, red pine and white pine known in the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest. Already a State Natural Area, the Bittersweet Wild Lakes Area has now been set aside to preserve the beautiful woods and waters for visitors to enjoy in a quiet, remote setting.

All five primitive campsites are reservable for up to 14 nights through the reservation system at: 888-947-2757 or online at www.wiparks.net or on a first-come, first-served basis. Motors are not allowed on any of these lakes and access is by carry-in landings. Campers must register at the Clear Lake Visitor Station.

This wild lakes area has a low-maintenance access road, so vehicles with high clear ance are recommended.

651

652

654

655

653

Bi�ersweetLake

ProngLake

SmithLake

OberlinLake

* Map not drawn to scale

* NOTE: Bi�ersweet Lakes are no motors lakes.

Sunset PointCampsite

Loon SongCampsite

Trapper’s CabinCampsite

Big RockCampsite

Sunken RowboatCampsite

Portage trail

Reservable site000

Remote reservable camping

Non-motorized boat landing

Carry-in trail to boat landing

Access road

Firefly Lake is a great place to canoe.

Photo courtesy of WDNR Archives

Maintained Portages & Lengths

Partridge Lake to Ballard Lake....................1,800 ft. White Sand Lake to Lost Canoe Lake .........1,700 ft. Lost Canoe Lake to Pallette Lake ................1,400 ft. Plum Lake to Star Lake ...............................1,300 ft. Lost Canoe Lake to Escanaba Lake .............1,200 ft. Pallette Lake to Stephenson Springs .............800 ft. Manitowish River Highway K Rapids .............600 ft. Escanaba Lake to Pallette Lake .....................600 ft. Rest Lake Dam Portage .................................300 ft. Fishtrap Dam Portage ...................................200 ft.

Trip Routes & Mileage

TRIP #1High Lake to Fishtrap Dam ............... 7.5 miles

TRIP #2Fishtrap Dam to Highway M .............2.5 miles Highway M to Highway K .................3.6 miles

TRIP #3Highway K to Island Lake Landing ....6.6 miles Island Lake to Highway W ................ 7.3 miles Highway W to Highway 51................1.5 miles

TRIP #4Highway 51 to Highway 47 ...............5.9 miles Highway 47 to Murray’s Landing ......9.5 miles

TRIP #5White Sand Lake to Trout River .........18 miles

TRIP #6Wisconsin River Trip (Cloverland Drive to Bridge Road) .....19 miles

Another great fishing day.

Photo courtesy of Scott Bowe, Kemp Natural Resources Station

NORTHERN HIGHLANDAMERICAN LEGION

CANOE ROUTES

One inch represents 2.15 miles or 3.46 km1:136205

3.02.01.00

#

U.S. Highway

State Highway

County Highway

Other Roads

Forest Boundary

Road Classifications

Canoe Route

Portage

Take-out/Put-in

Canoe CampsiteRemote-ReservableCampsite

Special Symbols

#

51

J

Trip 1

Trip 2Trip 3

Trip 4

Trip 6

NorthBass Lk

Cedar Lk

Catherine Lk

FischerLk

LongLk

EchoLk

SpiderLk

RiceLk

S. TurtleLake

N. TurtleLk

Rock Lk

RestLk

VanceLk

Circle Lily Lk

ClearLake

Alder Lk

Wild Rice Lk

WolfLk

Jag Lk

Day Lk

Nichols Lk

UpperGresham

Lk

LowerGresham

Lk

MiddleGresham

Lk

Manitowish Lk

IslandLake

WhitneyLk

Trout

Lake

Big MuskellungeLk

NebishLk

Firefly Lk

SparklingLk

DiamondLk

Mann Lk

Crystal Lk

FallisonLk

AllequashLk

Spider Lk

Stone Lk

Big Lake

RoundLk

CrabLk

PresqueIsle

Lake

Boulder Lk

White SandLake

Lost CanoeLk

Pallette LkEscanaba Lk

White Birch Lk

Ballard Lk

Razorback Lk

LostLake

IrvingLk

Partridge Lk

LakeLaura

Plum Lake

Star LakeStarrett

Lk

FrankLk

Aurora Lk

FishTrap Lk

High Lake JuteLk

PalmerLake

TenderfootLk

NixonLk

BigCrooked

Lake

LittleStar Lk

Dead Pike LkSandy

Beach Lk

Man

itowish

Rive

r

Manitowish River

TurtleFlambeauFlowage

LakeContent

GilmoreLk

SweeneyLk

HasbrookLk

RainbowFlowage

Found Lk

PickerelLk

CunardLk

HorseheadLk

McNaughtonLk

ClearLake

BlueLake

Buffalo Lk

CarrolLk

LittleArbor Vitae

Lk

FenceLake

FlambeauLake

IkeWaltonLake

Little TroutLake

CrawlingStoneLake

Big Arbor Vitae

Lake

Lake Minocqua

Lake Tomahawk

BearLake

BuckskinLake

SquirrelLake

BigSt Germain

Lake Little St Germain

Lk

Dam Lk

Sand Lk

Chain Lk

KathanLk

EagleLake

N. Nokomis Lk

ThunderLake

ColumbusLake

IndianLk

Two SistersLk

BearskinLk

KatherineLk

MuskellungeLk Sugar

Camp Lk

Wisconsin River

Wis

cons

in

R

iver

Tom

ahaw

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BittersweetWild Lakes

Area

Bear River

Turtle R.

Trout R.

Partridge Cr.

McGinnis Cr.

Johnson Creek

Spring Creek Rd.

High

La

ke Rd

.

Fishtrap Rd.

High-Fishtrap Rd.

Nixon Lake Rd.

Camp

2

Rd.

Nebish Lake Rd .

North Creek Rd.

Isla n

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k.

Rd

.

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Murra

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Rd.

Day La

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Day Lake Rd.

Woodru ff Rd

River Rd.

Rive

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Rive

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d.

Bridge Rd

Razo

rbac

k

Rd

Big Muskellunge Lake Rd

Old White Birch R d

N . Star Lake Rd

Gresham Rd

High

Lak

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Bear

Lake

Rd

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Powell

Rd

Ald er L ake

Rd

S. Tu

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Rd.

Cedar Lak

e Rd.

Mercer

Manitowish

Powell

PresqueIsle

ManitowishWaters

BoulderJunction

Sayner

StarLake

Lac du Flambeau

Winchester

EagleRiverSt Germain

Lake Tomahawk

ArborVitae

Woodruff

Hazelhurst

Minocqua

SugarCamp

McNaughton

Powell MarshWildlife Area

MICHIGANWISCONSIN

L A C D U F L A M B E A U

I N D I A N

R E S E R V AT I O N

IRO

N C

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VILA

S C

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VILAS CO.

ONEIDA CO.

VILAS CO.

ONEIDA CO.

VILAS CO.

ONEIDA CO.

B

D

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47182

F

D

70

70 32

45

47

47

70

70 70

70

17

17

17

32

47

47

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155

155

182

45

51

51

51

51

51

51

51

H

J

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W

WK

K

K

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P

P

B

B

B

B

M

M

M

M

KK

K

K

N

G

C

J

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J

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D

D

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D

D

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N

N

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G

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I4I3

WR1WR2WR3

WR4

WR5

WR6

WR7

T2

WS1

I2I1

ST8

MR51

MR52

ML11 MR19

MR18

TR27

MR17

MR53

MR54

MR55

MR56

MR57

MR14

H4

F8

P6

P1P2

S2S1

P3

P4

T1

T3T4

T5

T6

J1

J2

N1

F9F10

PL4PL5

PL3

PL2

PL1

MR12

MR13MR16MR15

F11

WS2

LC1

PT1

BA1 BA2

PM1

LC2LC3

BO1BO2BO3

UG1

MG1

LG1

CR1

RO1

BG1C10

ST6ST7

BG2

H1H7H6H5 H2

H3C9

A1

V1

R1

644

621622

631

613

614612611

632

655

654

653652

651

641

642643

Trip 5

TurtleFlambeauFlowage

RestLk

VanceLk

Dead Pike Lk

Powell

Rd

V1

R1

Alder Lk

Wild Rice Lk

Jag Lk

Day Lk

Nichols Lk

UpperGresham

Lk

LowerGresham

Lk

MiddleGresham

Lk

Manitowish Lk

IslandLake

WhitneyLk

Trout

Lake

Big MuskellungeLk

NebishLk

SparklingLk

DiamondLk

Crystal Lk

AllequashLk

Spider Lk

Boulder Lk

White SandLake

Lost CanoeLk

Pallette LkEscanaba Lk

StarrettLk

FrankLk

Aurora Lk

NixonLkMan

itowish

Rive

r

LittleTroutLake

Trout R.

Partridge Cr.

McGinnis Cr.

Johnson Creek

High

La

ke Rd

.

Fishtrap Rd.

N ixo

n La

ke Rd.

Nebish Lake Rd .

North Creek Rd.

Islan

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k.

Rd

.

Tow

nlin

e R

d.

Day La

ke R

d.

Day Lake Rd.

Razo

rbac

k

Rd

Big Muskellunge Lake Rd

Gresham Rd

Bear

Lake

Rd

d

Alder L ake

Rd

P5

I4I3

T2

WS1

I2I1

ML11 MR19

MR18

TR27

MR17

P6

P1P2P3

P4

T1

T3T4

T5

T6

J1

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MR12

MR13MR16

WS2

LC1

LC2LC3

UG1

MG1

LG1

A1

621622

631

613

614612611

632

BoulderJunction

Powell MarshWildlife Area

51

51

K

H

H

M

M

KK

N

TRIP 5White Sand Lake to

Trout River

LakeContent

GilmoreLk

SweeneyLk

RainbowFlowage

PickerelLk

HorseheadLk

McNaughtonLk

Buffalo Lk

Dam Lk

Sand Lk

Chain Lk

KathanLk

N. Nokomis Lk

IndianLk

Two SistersLk

MuskellungeLk Sugar

Camp Lk

Wisconsin River

Wis

cons

in

R

iver

o

Ri er Rd.

Rier

Rd .

Rier

Rd

.

Bridge Rd

WR1WR2WR3

WR4

WR5

WR6

WR7

St Germain

SugarCamp

McNaughton

VILAS CO.

ONEIDA CO.

VILAS CO.

ONEIDA CO.

70

70

17

17

47

J

J

O

D

D

E D

H

D

A

TRIP 6Wisconsin River: Cloverland Dr. to Bridge Rd.

FishTrap Lk

High Lake JuteLk

Johnson Creek

High

Lake

Rd

.

Fishtrap Rd.

High-Fishtrap Rd.

Nixon Lake Rd.

Cap

Rd.

High

Lak

e R

d

MR14

H4

F8F9F10

MR12

MR13MR16MR15

F11

H1H7H6H5 H2

H3

B

M

TRIP 1High Lake toFishtrap Dam

Nichols Lk

Boulder Lk

FishTrap Lk

Man

itowish

Rive

r

McGinnis Cr.

Johnson Creek Fishtrap Rd.

High-Fishtrap Rd.

Nixon Lake Rd.

High

Lak

Bear

Lake

Rd

MR17

MR14

F8

N1

F9F10

MR13MR16MR15

F11

BO1BO2BO3

BoulderJunction

K

M

TRIP 2: Fishtrap Dam to Highway K

★ Crystal Lake Visitor Station 10200 Highway N Boulder Junction, WI 54512 715-542-3923

★ Clear Lake Visitor Station 8282 Woodruff Road Woodruff, WI 54568 715-356-3668

RestLkVance Lk

LittleStar Lk

Dead Pike LkSandy

Beach Lk

Manitowish River

TurtleFlambeauFlowage

LittleTroutLake

Bear Ri er

Mrra

s Lan

ding

Rd.

o e

Rd

MR51

MR52

MR53

MR54

MR55

MR56

MR57

V1

R1

Powell MarshWildlife Area

51

TRIP 4: Highway 51 to Murray’s Landing

RestLk

VanceLk

Circle Lily Lk

ClearLake

Alder Lk

Wild Rice Lk

Jag Lk

Nichols Lk

Manitowish Lk

IslandLake

WhitneyLkSpider

Lk

Stone Lk

Big Lake

Boulder Lk

BigCrooked

Lake

LittleStar Lk

Dead Pike Lk

Man

itowish

Rive

r

Manitowish River

North Creek Rd.

sIlan

d L

k.

Rd

.

Tow

nli n

e R

d.

Day La

ke R

d.

Bear

Lake

Rd

Roun

d Lake

Rd

Powell

Rd

Alde r L ake

Rd

I4I3

I2I1

ST8

ML11 MR19

MR18

MR17

J1

J2

BO1BO2BO3

UG1

BG1C10

ST6ST7

BG2C9

A1

V1

R1

BoulderJunction51

K

K

K

M

621

TRIP 3Highway K to Highway 51

NORTHERN HIGHLAND AMERICANLEGION STATE FOREST

CANOE ROUTES

dnr.wi.gov