Brule River
Brule River Overview
The Brule River forms a boundary between Michigan and Wisconsin and is a classic trout-to-smallmouth bass transition river. The prime smallmouth reach is between Pentoga and the river's confluence with the Paint River. This Brule River should not be confused with the other Wisconsin river by a similar name, the Bois Brule River, which is located in northwest Wisconsin.
The Brule River is wadeable at low to normal summer flows, but floating is probably a better way to cover the water because of the distances between the bridges. In addition to the bridges, there is a gravel public launch ramp at the Carney Dam site about two miles west of Stager.
Since the Brule is a boundary water, the regulations may be slightly different and you should consult your Michigan Fishing Guide. Your MIchigan fishing license is all you need, even if you are fishing the Wisconsin side of the river. Anglers possessing a Wisconsin fishing license can also fish this border river, however when the Brule River intersects the Paint River they cannot fish upstream as that is not a shared border with Wisconsin. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest borders nearly the entire length along the Wisconsin side, while the Michigan DNR owns most of the land on the Michigan side.
Brule River Character
The Brule River has that fun, small-river character in a beautiful, and often intimate northwoods setting. The river is mainly quietwater with just a few, short sets of rapids, most located just above and below the Pentoga (FR 2446) Bridge. Although it is not long at 55 miles in length, the Brule River is one of the most secluded and navigable rivers in the area, flowing through a remote wilderness setting with few cabins and even fewer roads. The river can provide an excellent, relaxing "get-away" experience for canoers and kayakers.
Brule river Landscape
Along the Brule River the landscape varies from small rolling hills with steep wooded banks, to a dense northern lowland forest of spruce and tamarack swamps, to open wetlands. Altogether the river flows through a unique northwood blend of brushy thickets and dense forests made up of aspen, maple, birch, cedar, spruce, balsam fir and red pine.
Brule river Fish and Wildlife
Wildlife is abundant along the course of the Brule River, especially in the morning and afternoon hours. Paddlers are likely to see white-tailed deer, beaver, muskrat, raccoon, and river otter. Bird-life you are likely to see are: wood duck, common merganser, belted kingfisher, spotted sandpiper, great blue heron and several species of warbler. The river is also a very popular trout stream with brown and brook trout frequently found in the many pools scattered throughout the river's length. Smallmouth bass and northern pike can be found in abundance in the lower sections of the river.
Brule river History
The early French explorers named the river 'Brule', which means 'burnt' in French. The forest area near the confluence with the Menominee had been decimated by fire around the time the explorers first arrived in the area. The Chippewa Indians named the river "We-sa-co-ta".
Brule river Maps
Map B3 - Forest Road 2150 to Brule River Flowage
Guide B3 - Forest Road 2150 to Brule River Flowage
Map B2 - Highway 139/189 Bridge to Forest Road 2150
Guide B2 - Highway 139/189 Bridge to Forest Road 2150
Map B1 - Brule River Campground to Highway 139/189 Bridge
Guide B1 - Brule River Campground to Highway 139/189 Bridge
Brule River Gauge
USGS 04060993 BRULE RIVER AT US HWY 2 NEAR FLORENCE, WI
Brule river Shuttle and Rental Services
1000 Central Ave, Florence, WI 54121
715-528-6631
Northwoods Wilderness Outfitters
N4088 Pine Mountain Road, Iron Mountain, MI
800-530-8859
Brule River trips
Wisconsin Trail Guide Information - Segment B3
Map B3 - Forest Road 2150 to Brule River Flowage
Guide B3 - Forest Road 2150 to Brule River Flowage
Suggested Minimum Level: 220 cfs / 3.5 feet.
Average river gradient is 8.7 feet per mile.
There are three trips to consider in this segment. The first option to is to put in at the US Hwy 2 bridge Landing (RM 8.0) (L) and float the 4 miles down to the Paint River Pond taking out at the WEPC Brule Recreation Area #28 Landing (RM 4.0) (R). Along the way you will encounter the La Chapelle Rapids (RM 6.2) which are rated at Class I - II rapids depending upon water levels and may be a challenge to some less experienced paddlers. Although this is a short river run the trip could be expanded by exploring the Paint River Pond which is flowage caused by a dam 4 miles further downstream. This pond is at the confluence of the Brule and Paint Rivers and can provide the angler with a relatively calm area to fish upstream to the Paint River or downstream to the dam. It should be noted that if you fish upstream towards the Paint River you are no longer on a Michigan/Wisconsin boundary water and a Michigan license I believe would be required in this area. The bicycle shuttle is 7.6 miles taking 40 minutes.
The second option to consider is putting in at the Carney Dam Road Landing (RM 14.8) (L) and floating 6.8 miles down to the US Hwy 2 bridge Landing (RM 8.0) (L). The McGovern (RM 12.6) and the Montagne (RM 9.4) Creeks both enter the river from the left along this stretch. The bicycle shuttle (utilizing part of the State Trail) is 8.1 miles long and takes about 40 minutes.
You could also combine the above two trips into one; Putting in at the Carney Dam Road Landing (RM 14.8) (L) and floating the 10.8 miles down to the Paint River Pond taking out at the WEPC Brule Recreation Area #28 Landing (RM 4.0) (R). This would involve a 13.6 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 67 minutes, some of it on the State Trail.
Wisconsin Trail Guide Information - Segment B2
Map B2 - Highway 139/189 Bridge to Forest Road 2150
Guide B2 - Highway 139/189 Bridge to Forest Road 2150
American Whitewater Association description of this segment
Suggested Minimum Level: 220 cfs / 3.5 feet.
The average river gradient is 7.5 feet per mile for this river segment.
The first suggested trip for this segment of the river is putting in the nearly desolate town of Pentoga (RM 22.4) (L) and taking out at the Carney Dam Road Landing (RM 14.8) (L) giving you a 7.6 mile long trip. You will hear the "Two-Foot Falls" Rapids (RM 20.3) before you see them. These falls are a submerged ledge which spans the river at the start of the left bend. This ledge has a 1 - 2 foot drop on the river left and then slowly levels off as it crosses to river right which forms a backroller wave on the right side of the river. These rapids are Class I in lower flows and become Class II in high water flows. You may want to land and scout the rapids or portage (R). After these rapids the river runs through numerous stretches of riffles, boulder gardens, and Class I rapids for the next 2 miles. In some areas the current is quite strong. It is a long shuttle by vehicle but a short 6.1 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 30 minutes using the State Trail.
Another trip to consider is putting in at the WI Hwy 139/ MI Hwy 189 Bridge Landing (RM 34.5) (R) and taking out at the Pentoga Bridge Landing (RM 22.4) (L) giving you a 12.1 mile long trip. The river is narrow in this area with moderate current with a short rapids encountered a half mile from putting in. The Fisherman's Eddy Rapids (RM 26.3) are an easy Class I rapids which to me sound like a great place to fish! Unnamed Rapids (RM 25.5) are a rated Class I rapids consisting of a rocky ledge or gravel bar which extends out from the left bank. The Twin's Rapids (RM 25.2) are Class I - II rated rapids. The rapids start our as a few sets of boulder riffles that lead into a left bend and the the first pitch of Class I rapids begin. These die out after about 300 yards the the river calms before the more difficult second pitch (Class I - II) begins. Rocky riffles continue downstream around several smaller islands. The Railroad Rapids (RM 23.8) consist of several submerged boulders which form a line across the river and mark the start of the rapids. There is a long 300 yard stretch of continuous Class I whitewater. The rapids can be wavy fun in moderate to high flows and a bumpy boulder garden when water levels are lower. There are actually two bicycle shuttles to consider; The shorter 12 mile shuttle would take 1:07 to complete but involves more hills, while the longer 14.7 mile long shuttle which uses much of the State Trail and is flatter takes 1:17 to do.
If you want to consider a bit longer trip to experience the "Two-Foot Falls" mentioned in the first trip you could put in at the WI Hwy 139/ MI Hwy 189 Bridge Landing (RM 34.5) (R) and take out at the FR 2150 Landing (RM 18.3) (R) giving you a 16.2 mile long trip. The landing is located near the remains of the old FR 2150 bridge. Pilings remains are still evident. The current tends to rip through this area, especially in high water, so be alert when taking out. The bicycle shuttle is 14.4 miles long and takes 1:18 to complete.
Wisconsin Trail Guide Information - Segment B1
Map B1 - Brule River Campground to Highway 139/189 Bridge
Guide B1 - Brule River Campground to Highway 139/189 Bridge
Suggested Minimum Level: 220 cfs / 3.5 feet.
The average river gradient is 8.4 feet per mile for this river segment.
This last trip puts in at the Brule River Campground Landing (RM 49.0) which is just upstream of the WI Hwy 55/MI Hwy 73 bridge. The take out is 14.5 miles downstream at the WI Hwy 139/ MI Hwy 189 Bridge Landing (RM 34.5) (R). There are only a few minor rapids and some riffles along this stretch of the river. The bicycle shuttle is 14.5 miles long taking 1:19 to complete.
The 5 mile river segment upstream of the Hwy 55/73 Bridge to Brule Lake appears to be very narrow and may be difficult to navigate. No Trip for this segment is included.