The West Fork begins in Chippewa Lake just east of the Clam Lake community. This stream flows southward entirely within the Chequamegon National Forest to its East Fork confluence which is buried under the flowage waters of the Lake Chippewa Flowage, known in these parts as the "Big Chip" (which is a great smallmouth bash fisheries in its own right) formed by the Winter Dam. The river winds among several upstream lakes before it settles into a pattern of alternating “widespread” pools and rapids which are narrow, fast and boulder-strewn. The Chippewa River West Fork is one of the two main tributaries (along with the East Fork) for the headwaters of the Chippewa River. The river has that type of rocky structure and fast flowing water which makes it a natural host for smallies. It has a somewhat remote feel, with stretches of water perfect for solitude and angling potential.
The Chippewa River West Fork, likes it southerly cousin the East Fork, are both a bit more rugged and remote than their bigger parent, the Chippewa River. The river tends to have a steep gradient in areas, boulder beds that can be difficult to traverse in periods of low water, and can produce wild rapids in periods of high water. Fallen trees and logjams should not be a problem. Slow, deeper sections will always be navigable, but rapids become too shallow when the water is low. The rapids just downstream of the Moose Lake Dam or the rapids just downstream of Moose Lake Road’s Orange Bridge are probably good places to check the water level. Moose Lake is drawn down 7 feet in October.
The northern hardwood forest is dominant, made up of sugar maple, basswood, and red maple, and also including some scattered hemlock and white pine pockets within stands. The aspen-birch forest type group is also relatively abundant, followed by spruce-fir. A variety of wetland community types also are present, both forested and non-forested. Nearly all of the 182,257 acre West Fork Chippewa River Watershed is located within the Chequamegon National Forest. The watershed is dominated by forest (58%) and wetlands (33%).
Smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, trout, and some muskie are the mainstay game fish for this river, although perhaps, not in the numbers seen in the Chippewa River.
White tailed deer, black bear, otters, and even elk which have been transplanted in the Clam Lake area may be spotted along its course as you paddle.
The "Mound Builders" were followed by the Dakota Indians, who were eventually forced out by the Ojibwa People. In 1872, the Lac Courte Oreilles Indian Reservation was established along the banks of the West Fork River. The completion of the Winter Dam, which created the Lake Chippewa Flowage, in 1923 was a tragedy for the Ojibwa Tribe because so much of their land, and so many of their dwellings and gravesites were inundated. Logging denuded much of the land along the West Fork and the river was used for logging runs. The town of Clam Lake is the only municipality which remotely affects the river. There are many cabins on upstream lakeshores and along Hwy 77 and County Road S. These roads closely parallel the river for the most part. There are several dams including a rather large one which creates Moose Lake.
No suitable map has been located.
Chippewa River at Bishops Bridge near Winter, WI
No known shuttle services are known for this river.
With enough water the Chippewa River West Fork can be a delightful northern stream. The entire 24 miles could be canoe/camped but lake paddling and portaging would be required. Advanced beginner to intermediate whitewater skills are needed throughout.
The first suggested trip puts in below the Moose Lake Dam (exact location will have to be field determined as no reliable access points are known... but it has been done) perhaps near the confluence of the Teal River. During the 7.5 mile float downstream to the Lake Chippewa Flowage the angler will encounter a variety of river patterns, from some minor rapids, several small pools, and at least two wild rice beds. Midway through are three sets of rapids which are said to rate as Class II, depending upon water flows. Advanced beginner to intermediate whitewater skills are needed throughout. Take out is near the County Road B bridge. It appears some resorts, for a small fee, will allow access for take out. You could also continue into the main flowage itself to continue your angling adventure. A bicycle shuttle is 6.1 miles long taking 33 minutes.
Moose Lake has a decent smallmouth bass fishery, however it is better known for its great muskie fishing.
The second suggested float puts in at Forest Road 174 access and takes out 11 miles downstream at Moose Lake (perhaps at Louie's Landing ?). This appears to be a popular float (see video below) on the West Fork with a lower river gradient than what is encountered downstream. A bicycle shuttle is 7.9 miles long taking 42 minutes.
This next trip is a short 5.6 mile long float putting in at State Hwy 77 and taking out at the Forest Road 174 access. Soon after the confluence of the Torch River you will encounter the remains of two “rock dams” and Fish Trap Rapids, which can be Class I to Class II depending upon water flows. The bicycle shuttle is 5.5 miles long taking 27 minutes.
The last two trips could also be combined to produce a 16.6 mile long float with a bicycle shuttle of 12.1 miles long taking about 1 hour to complete.