Flambeau River
flambeau RIVER Overview
The Flambeau River is one of the most popular paddling destinations in northern Wisconsin. It features trips suitable for both quiet water and novice whitewate enthusiasts, plus is known as an excellent smallmouth fishery. The upper reaches of the Flambeau are are actually two rivers; the North Fork and the South Fork. The less traveled South Fork will not be covered on this site due to the number of rapids that are more challenging for those wishing to fish. Both forks are medium sized rivers which eventually converge to form the Flambeau River, which flows south until it joins the larger Chippewa River.
flambeau River Character
On the Flambeau River North Fork, the middle segements are mostly flatwater runs with some riffles and low hazard rapids. The lower and upper segments feature long stretches of low to medium hazard rapids. When water levels are adequate, the upper segment is one of the most enjoyable and scenic, novice-whitewater paddle trips in the state. However, the lower segment is likely the most popular trip of the entire river and features several class II+ rapids that are a blast to run if you like whitewater rapids, especially after Hervas Camp Landing where Cedar Rapids (Class II) and Beaver Dam Rapids (Class II-III) are located.
flambeau river Landscape
The river is surrounded by a mixed northern hardwood forest with sugar and red maple, red oak, yellow birch, white ash, and stands of quaking aspen. Frequent stands of conifers along the riverway include red, jack, and white pines, tall hemlocks, and occasional cedars overhanging the rocky riverbanks.
flambeau river Fish and Wildlife
Smallmouth bass and muskie are the predominant species that anglers target on this river.
Abundant wildlife includes bald eagle, osprey, white-tailed deer, black bear, raccoon, fisher, and otter.
flambeau river History
The Flambeau-Chippewa River systems were heavily used as a transportation route by Native American Indians and later by European fur traders. In the 1800's it was used to transport and store logs. Today it still can reveal many relics of the logging era. The Flambeau River is impacted by four dams. Many rapids and falls are buried beneath its impounded waters. Agriculture impacts the river near Ladysmith, the only town on the river, and points downstream.
flambeau river Maps
Map and guide of river from Thornapple Dam to Chippewa River confluence
Map and guide of river from Ladysmith to Thornapple Dam
Map and guide of river from Big Falls Dam to Ladysmith
Map and guide for river from Hervas Camp Landing to Big Falls Dam
Map and guide for river from Camp 41 Landing to Flambeau Lodge Landing (FN4)
Map and guide for river from Hwy W Landing to Hervas Camp Landing
Map and guide for river from Hwy W Landing to Camp 41 Landing (FN3)
Map and guide for river from Hwy 70 to Hwy W Landing (FN3)
Map and guide for river from Nine Mile Creek Landing to Dix Dox Landing on Hwy 70 (FN2)
Map and guide for river from Lower Park Falls Flowage Dam to Six Mile Creek Landing
Map and guide for river from Robinson Landing to Agenda Landing (FN1)
flambeau River Gauges
USGS 05360500 Flambeau River near Bruce, WI
flambeau river Shuttle and Rental Services
W1614 County Highway W - Winter, WI 54896
715-332-5544
Service: North & South Forks
6275 N Oxbo Drive - Park Falls, WI 54552
715-762-4786
Service: North & South Forks
W10590 State Highway 70 - Park Falls, WI 54552
715-762-3174
Service: North Fork
N11151 County Road F - Phillips, WI 54555
715-339-2012
Service: North & South Forks
N7788 Flambeau Road - Ladysmith, WI 54848
715-532-7733
Service: North & South Forks
flambeau River trips
Floats for the South Fork of the Flambeau River are not shown at this time due to the larger rapids which may be encountered.
Map and guide of river from Thornapple Dam to Chippewa River confluence
This first trip is the segment of the Flambeau River before it merges with the Chippewa River. The put in site is just below the Thornapple Dam and 8.5 miles later you take out at Flaters Resort at the confluence of the Chippewa River. The first 3.5 miles of the float are on fairly calm water with only one small rapids about 1 mile downstream of the put in site. Just upstream of Pine Island, there is a set of rapids and it may be best to take the left channel around the island. The next 5 miles of the trip are very enjoyable, with the occasional stretches of low hazard whitewater. This is an 8.9 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 42 minutes.
Map and guide of river from Ladysmith to Thornapple Dam
This is a 10 mile float putting in at river landing just downstream of the E 14th St Bridge (L) and taking out just at the Thornapple Dam Landing (L) located just above the dam. About 2/3 of the way into the trip you will encounter the Whiteford Rapids. These are one of the few stretches of fast water on this trip. Below this, the current slacks again all the way to the flat water of the Thornapple Flowage. The calm water continues for the next 5 miles to the Thornapple Dam. A bicycle shuttle is 10.4 miles long taking 50 minutes.
Map and guide of river from Big Falls Dam to Ladysmith
For this scenic, flat water 12 mile trip, you put in just below the Big Falls Dam and take out just before the Ladysmith Flowage Dam. Along they way you will need to portage around another hydro-electric dam. There is a short stretch of faster running water downstream of this dam, but the current soon slows again as you enter the calmer waters of the Ladysmith Flowage. The 13 mile long bicycle shuttle takes about 1 hour.
Map and guide for river from Hervas Camp Landing to Big Falls Dam
This is a 10 mile long trip with some very challenging stretches of river with lots of whitewater and some big drops. The put in spot is at the Hearvas Camp Landing (L). From this landing it is a calm 1 mile long float down to the first of the four pitches of Cedar Rapids (Class II to Class III) that can be challenging, but navigable. About 1 mile past the last pitch of the Cedar Rapids you encounter the Beaver Dam Rapids (Class II). This set of rapids has a very dangerous drop and should be portaged (L). Below these rapids you will come to some smaller rapids known as Pine Island or Little Cedar Rapids (Class I). From here to the Big Falls Flowage is a 2 mile stretch of swift current and rapids. Take out is at the Big Falls Dam (L). The bicycle shuttle is 11 miles long taking 53 minutes.
Map and guide for river from Camp 41 Landing to Flambeau Lodge Landing (FN4)
If you wish to put in and take out on the west shore of the river you have a coupe of options to consider. The first is a 10.5 mile long trip putting in at the Camp 41 Landing (RM 52.4) and taking out at the Beaver Dam Landing (RM 41.5). Soon after putting in you will encounter the first pitch of the Wannigan Rapids (CLass I - II) at (RM 57.0). The difficulty depends upon water levels. At low flows, this can be a scrappy ride and at high flows some high waves develop. At Wannigan Rapids second pitch (Class I -II) at (RM 50.6), the river rushes through 500 yards of wavy rapids and boulders beneath a steep wooded right river bank. This second pitch is a the most difficult of the 3 pitches. The third pitch (RM 49.9) is a high speed wavy Class II rapids. The Flambeau Falls Rapids (Class II) make their appearance (RM 49.4) in a right bend, just below Dodes Island. It is advised to scout these rapids from the trail on the east bank. The South Fork's confluence is at (RM 48.6). The bicycle shuttle is 8.9 miles long taking 37 minutes. The average river gradient is 6.3 feet per mile.
Another option is to length this trip to 15.7 miles by taking a bit farther downstream at the Flambeau Lodge Landing (RM 36.7). The only additional rapids you will encounter are the Class I, Little Cedar Rapids (RM 40.6). The bicycle shuttle is 13.9 mile long taking 51 minutes.
North Fork Flambeau River
(No floats are shown for the South Fork at this time due to the larger rapids which may be encountered.)
Map and guide for river from Hwy W Landing to Hervas Camp Landing
This is another trip with challenging whitewater and some peaceful stretches. The 15 mile trip puts in a County Hwy W Landing. About 5 miles downstream you will encounter the difficult Porcupine Rapids (Class I, Class II, and Class III), a set of 3 main drops in this rapids. You may want to scout the last set before going through. Proceed with caution as there is a good deal of current in this area. The river soon slows and widens for a couple of miles until you reach the very difficult Wannigan Rapids (Class II). About 800 yards downstream of the second pitch of the Wannigan Rapids you will find the Flambeau Falls, a large drop and some big rapids. You may want to consider portaging (R). The Hervas Camp Landing is now another 2 miles downstream and is where you will take out. Since this is a 20.5 mile long shuttle you may want to consider using a vehicle which would take 41 minutes.
Map and guide for river from Hwy W Landing to Camp 41 Landing (FN3)
You could also utilize a landing on the west side of the river to accomplish much of the same trip as above. You put in at the County W Landing (RM 60.7) and float 8.3 miles to take out at the Camp 41 Landing (RM 52.4) (R). This is a 7.2 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 35 minutes. Refer to the guides for further information about the rapids in this area.
Map and guide for river from Hwy 70 to Hwy W Landing (FN3)
This next 9.9 mile long trip is a nice calm float trip but with a long shuttle. You put in at the Dix Dox Landing (RM 70.6) (L) and take out at the County Hwy W Landing (RM 60.7) (L). The River gradient is about 2.8 feet per mile. A vehicle shuttle is 19 miles long taking 22 minutes.
Map and guide for river from Nine Mile Creek Landing to Dix Dox Landing on Hwy 70 (FN2)
This is a popular float due to the variety of water encountered and its short shuttle. You put in at the Nine Mile Creek Landing (RM 82.0) (L) and float the 11.4 miles down to Dix Dox Landing (RM 70.6) (L). Try to stick to the main channel as the river is shallow in many places. Shallow riffles and boulders are common all the way to the Class I Barnaby Rapids (RM 79.3). The river gradient is 3.8 feet per mile. The bicycle shuttle is 6.3 miles taking 32 minutes. A great description of this leg can be read here.
Map and guide for river from Lower Park Falls Flowage Dam to Six Mile Creek Landing
Although the guide recommends putting in farther upstream and taking out farther downstream that would also require two more portages around dams along the river. This shorter, approximately 8 mile long float only requires portaging around the Pixley Dam and the angler could also have the option of taking out there too. The put in is at the Hwy 13 bridge (L), just below the Lower Park Falls Flowage Dam. The river in this area is quite wide and calm and the fishing is suppose to be good. The take out is at the Six Mile Creek Landing (L)/ The bicycle shuttle is 8.6 miles long taking 43 minutes.
Map and guide for river from Robinson Landing to Agenda Landing (FN1)
This 13.8 mile long float involves many Class I to Class II rapids along its route with an average river gradient of 3.8 feet per mile. Canoers and kayakers with whitewater experience will enjoy the numerous Class I and II rapids and boulder gardens. Most of the whitewater occurs in tight, rocky constrictions between tall rocky ledges, which spill into wide scenic pools before rushing through more narrow cascades. The put in spot is the Robinson Landing (RM 113.8) (R), located at the tailwaters of the dam which creates the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage (a great fishery in itself). The take out is at Agenda Landing (RM 100.0) Refer to the guide for descriptions and locations of the various rapids you will encounter on this trip. The bicycle shuttle is a long 14.7 miles taking 1:12 to complete. A vehicle shuttle would take about 30 minutes.
A shorter 9.8 mile long float could be done by taking out at Holts Landing (RM 104.00) instead. The Holts and Agenda Landings are both near the headwaters of the Upper Park Falls Flowage (760) and the river is more calm in this area. This is a 11.4 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 56 minutes.