TRIP 1: HIGH LAKE TO FISHTRAP DAM

Put in at the High Lake boat landing on the south side of Hwy. 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 trip or an overnight trip. Total paddling time is 4 hours.

TRIP 2: FISHTRAP DAM TO HIGHWAY K

Take Hwy. 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 Hwy. K. Paddling time is 3 hours. This could be a day or overnight trip.

TRIP 3: HIGHWAY K TO HIGHWAY 51

Put-in for this segment is just below the rapids on Hwy. K. This segment is 15.5 miles or about 8 hours of paddling. Allow multiple days for this trip. A short portage around the 10-foot dam at Rest Lake and Hwy. W is required. Take out where the Manitowish River and Hwy. 51 intersect. For a shorter trip (4 hours) take out at the Island Lake boat landing.

TRIP 4: HIGHWAY 51 TO MURRAY’S LANDING

The last segment begins below the Hwy. 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 Hwy. 51 Wayside or the Hwy. 47 bridge can shorten this segment. Once past the Hwy. 47 bridge, there is no take-out until Murray’s Landing. Allow 8 hours of paddling time for the Hwy. 47 to Murray’s Landing segment.

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 715-542-39235 PeshtigoRiverStateForest715-757-3965

6 Black River State Forest 715-284-4103

7 Coulee Experimental State Forest 608-785-9007

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921dnr.wi.gov (search keyword “state forest”)

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

7

5431

WINORTHERN

STATEFORESTS

2

This publication can be made available in alternative formats (large print, Braille, audio tape, etc.) upon request. Please call (608) 267-7494 for more information. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.

DNR PUB-FR-179 2017DNR PUB-FR-179 2017 dnr.wi.gov

(search keyword “state forest”)

NORTHERN HIGHLAND AMERICAN LEGION STATE FOREST

For Emergency Dial 911

Come back soon! – and be sure to visit Wisconsin’s other Northern State Forests

6

MAPS INSIDE!

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 MESSAGES

CanoeingEvery 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.

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.

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

PlantsNever eat berries or plant materials unless you are certain of their identity.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 over 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.

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, view 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.

The 2,553-acre Bittersweet Wild Lakes Area lies a few miles north and east

of the town of Woodruff off Highway 70.

10200 Hwy N • Boulder Junction WI 54512 • 715-542-3923

Suggested Canoe Trips

BittersweetWildLakesArea

RulesandRegulations

HELPFUL HINTSKeep 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.

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.

Campsite

Pickerelweed

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Canoe RoutesNorthern Highland American Legion State Forest

TRIPS ROUTE MILES

TRIP 1 High Lake to Fishtrap Dam 7.5

TRIP 2 Fishtrap Dam to Hwy. M 2.5

Hwy. M to Hwy. K 3.6

TRIP 3 Hwy. K to Island Lake Landing 6.6

Island Lake to Hwy. W 7.3

Hwy. W to Hwy. 51 1.5

TRIP 4 Hwy. 51 to Hwy. 47 5.9

Hwy. 47 to Murray’s Landing 9.5

TRIP 5 White Sand Lake to Trout River 18.0

TRIP 6 Wisconsin River Cloverland to Bridge Road

19.0

MAINTAINED PORTAGES

APPROXIMATE LENGTH

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 Hwy. K Rapids 600 ft

Escanaba Lake to Pallette Lake 600 ft

Fishtrap Dam Portage 200 ft

Rest Lake Dam Portage 300 ft

SEE BACK SIDE FOR TRIP MAPS.

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 Reserve America (888) 947-2757 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 Ranger Station.

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

TRIP 5: WHITE SAND TO TROUT RIVER TRIP

This trip begins at White Sand Lake north of Hwy. 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% 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 Hwy. 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 Hwy. 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.

Photos: below, Joseph Fieweger; front cover, Jeffrey J. Strobel

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TRIP 5White Sand Lake to

Trout River

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

TRIP 4: Highway 51 to Murray’s Landing

TRIP 3Highway K to Highway 51

TRIP 1High Lake toFishtrap Dam

TRIP 2: Fishtrap Dam to Highway K

NORTHERN HIGHLAND-AMERICAN LEGION STATE FOREST

CANOE ROUTES

NORTHERN HIGHLAND AMERICAN LEGION STATE FORESTCANOE ROUTES

Crystal Lake Visitor Station10200 Hwy N,

Boulder Junction WI 54512715-542-3923

Clear Lake Visitor Station8282 Woodruff Rd, Woodruff WI 54568

715-356-3668

Crystal Lake VisitorStation

Photos: paddlers, WDNR; loon Jeffrey J. Strobel

Clear Lake Visitor Station

TRIP 1: High Lake to Fishtrap Dam

TRIP 1

TRIP 2: Fishtrap Dam to Highway K

TRIP 2

TRIP 3: Highway K to Highway 51

TRIP 3

TRIP 4: Highway 51 to Murray’s Landing

TRIP 4

TRIP 5: White Sand Lake to

Trout River

TRIP 5

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

TRIP 6