The Wisconsin River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the state of Wisconsin. At approximately 430 miles long, it is the state's longest river. This page will only cover mostly the Upper Wisconsin River Basin, from its headwaters near Lac Vieux Desert on the Wisconsin-Michigan boundary downstream to the Stevens Point area. Unlike most rivers I have provided trip planning for, the Wisconsin River information I found measured river miles from its source, instead of its confluence with another major river.
The Wisconsin River is well known for producing abundant and under-fished populations of trophy smallmouth bass. As it begins at its headwaters it resembles more of a large creek that winds its way through the wild northern reaches of Wisconsin but the character of the river changes considerably the farther downstream it’s traveled with many flood control dams and hydroelectric facilities creating large reservoirs on the river.
The upper Wisconsin River is a boating and wade-fishing minefield. It’s a paradise for river smallmouth bass fishing, but can be a pending death ground for big boats. Anglers in canoes, kayaks, or flat bottom Johnboats who are willing to accept its challenging terrain and difficult navigation won’t mind.
The upper Wisconsin River is a relaxing way to view the natural beauty of the northwoods. Winding through forests and farmlands, the majority of the river offers a slow current with few obstacles. The river is more of a stream in its upper reaches as it meander its way through the lowland marshes. As it flows south it widens, mainly due to the large number of dams located along its course.
The landscape of the Upper Wisconsin River Basin is a mixture of hardwoods and conifers forests blended with lowland marshes and bogs in its upper reaches. Much of the river shores are lined with trees and which offers the angler a secluded and tranquil environment to paddle and explore the river.
The river is a well known smallmouth bass fishery but also offers anglers the opportunity to tap into muskie, northern pike, walleye, and catfish.
The forests can abound with a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, black bears, otters, and in its upper reaches the beaver make the river its home, at times, much to the dismay of paddlers.
The first documented exploration of the Wisconsin River by Europeans took place in 1673, when French missionary Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet of France canoed from Lake Michigan up the Fox River until reaching the present day site of Portage in early June. At this location the Wisconsin and Fox rivers are only 2 miles apart, so the explorers would portage from the Fox River to the Wisconsin River. They then continued downstream 200 miles to the Wisconsin River's mouth, entering the Mississippi River on June 17. Other explorers and traders would follow the same route, and for the next 150 years the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, collectively known as the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway, formed a major transportation route between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River.
The Chippewa called this river Wees-konsan, meaning "the gathering place of waters." To the Menominee, the river was Wisc-coh-seh-a, "good place for a home." The Winnebago tribe called this root-beer-colored river Wees-koos-erah, which meant "river of the flowery banks."
Industry began to form on the Wisconsin River in the early 19th century, as loggers started using the river to raft logs downstream from northern forests to sawmills in new cities like Wausau. By the 1880's, logging companies began damming the Wisconsin river to ensure the river had enough capacity for the logs being floated downstream. Later, at the start of the 20th century, more dams were constructed to provide for flood control and hydroelectricity. The dams also spurred tourism, creating reservoirs such as Lake Wisconsin that are popular areas for recreational boating and fishing. Today the Wisconsin River is impounded in 26 places.
Unlike most rivers I have provided trip planning for, the Wisconsin River information I found measured river miles from its source, instead of its confluence with another major river. For this reason, I will be describing the trips in that order. It also appears that the river miles are not very accurate. User discretion advised.
Wisconsin Centennial Trail Maps
Map 1 - Lac Vieux Desert Dam to River Road
Map 2 - River Road to Rainbow Dam
Map 3 - Rainbow Dam to Rhinelander Dam
Map 4 - Rhinelander Dam to Kings Dam
Map 5 - Kings Dam to County Road E
Map 6 - County Road E to Merrill Dam
Map 7 - Merrill Dam to Gilbert Park
Map 8 - Gilbert Park to Mosinee Flowage
Map 9 - Mosinee Flowage to DuBay Dam
Map 10 - DuBay Dam to Whiting Plover Portage
USGS 05391000 WISCONSIN RIVER AT RAINBOW LAKE NEAR LAKE TOMAHAWK,WI
USGS 05395000 WISCONSIN RIVER AT MERRILL, WI
USGS 05398000 WISCONSIN RIVER AT ROTHSCHILD, WI
USGS 05398100 WISCONSIN RIVER AT MOSINEE, WI
5230 Razorback Road, Conover, WI 54519
715-547-3639 or 715-617-1593 cell or 715-617-1870 alternate cell
5179 WI-70, Eagle River, WI 54521
715-417-3333 or 715-617-3644
1761 County Highway C, St. Germain, Wisconsin 54558
1-800-688-7471
8576 Hwy 51, Minocqua, WI 54548
(715) 356-1618
N2460 County Road K, Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-9056
Silent Glide Canoe and Kayak Shop
W6821 Wester Avenue, Medford, Wisconsin 54451
715-748-0148
Unlike most rivers I have provided trip planning for, the Wisconsin River information I found measured river miles from its source, instead of its confluence with another major river. For this reason, I will be describing the trips in that order. It also appears that the river miles are not very accurate. User discretion advised.
Insufficient information was available to help determine river gradients.
Wisconsin Centennial Trail Maps
Map 1 - Lac Vieux Desert Dam to River Road
If the staff gauge in Lac Vieux Desert tailwater reads 0.6' the water is just deep enough to float a canoe.
The first suggested trips begin at the tailwaters of the Lac Vieux Desert Dam (RM 000) (L) and offer several options to consider. The first option takes out approximately 13 miles downstream at the Rummels Road Bridge access (RM 013) (L). The first couple of miles of the river are narrow, but passable, although you may encounter some beaver dams and deadfalls to contend with. The velocity of the river eventually picks up but the stream twists and turns a lot in this area. You may need to walk your watercraft through a long stretch of low hazard rapids upstream of portage creek. This has a 7.1 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 35 minutes.
If you wish, you can extend this trip to 15 miles by instead taking out at the Heart Lake Road access (RM 015) (L). This is a 9.1 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 45 minutes.
The third option for take out, is the County Road K access (RM 019) (L) giving you a long 19 mile trip. In this area the river begins to get wider and the flow increases. The bicycle shuttle is 9.5 miles and takes 47 minutes to complete.
A 10 mile long trip can be done by putting in at the Heart Lake Road access (RM 015) (L) and taking out at the River Road Landing (RM 025) (L). The floodplain broadens in this area and the terrain becomes more marshy with occasional oxbows. The current remains moderately fast. A bicycle shuttle is 10.3 miles long taking 51 minutes.
Putting in at County Road K (RM 019) (L) and taking out at the County Road G bridge (RM 035) (L) gives you an 16 mile long trip. The river continues through some marshy lowlands. Be on guard for deadfalls. This is a 8.6 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 41 minutes.
Map 2 - River Road to Rainbow Dam
(be aware that there are numerous "River Road Landings" along the Wisconsin River...)
If you put in at the River Road Landing (RM 025) (L) you have two options for taking out. The first is a 10 mile long trip taking out at the County Road G bridge (RM 035) (L). The bicycle shuttle is 7.1 miles and takes 35 minutes.
The second option for take out is the State Hwy 70 Bridge Landing (RM 040) (R) at the confluence of Mud Creek, and just west of the City of Eagle River, giving you a 15 mile long trip. There is little current in this area but be aware of heavy boat traffic through the Watersmeet Lake area where the Eagle River and other tributaries enter. A bicycle shuttle would be 10.9 miles long and take about 59 minutes.
Putting in just below the Otter Rapids Dam (RM 041) (R) and floating down to take out at the County Road O Bridge (RM 048) (R) gives you a 7 mile long float. Be aware that the tailwater of the dam is fast with many boulders in the river. The river narrows again through a wooded upland and then opens to a marshy lowland to the flowage above the County Road O bridge. The bicycle shuttle is 6.8 miles long taking 33 minutes.
This 10 mile long trip puts in at the County Road O Bridge (RM 048) (R) and soon enters the headwaters of the Rainbow Flowage. High winds can make crossing this 4,165 acre reservoir very difficult. The take out spot is just to the right of the Rainbow Dam (RM 058). The bicycle shuttle is 9.5 miles long taking 45 minutes.
Map 3 - Rainbow Dam to Rhinelander Dam
Putting in below the Rainbow Dam at the Rainbow Park Landing (RM 058) (R) and taking out at the McNaughton Bridge Landing (RM 069) (R) gives you an 11 mile long trip. A couple of miles downstream of the put in spot you will encounter the Class I Rainbow Rapids. After those rapids the floodplain broadens the river slows down again. A bicycle shuttle is 10.1 miles long taking 50 minutes.
Putting in at the McNaughton Bridge Landing (RM 069) (R) gives you a couple of options to consider for taking out. The first is at the River Road Landing (RM 076) (L) at the headwaters of the Rhinelander Flowage giving you a 7 mile long trip. The bicycle shuttle is 4.8 miles long and takes about 23 minutes.
The second option for taking out on the above trip is the Hodag Park Landing (Rm 080) (L) on Boom Lake in the City of Rhinelander. This is an 11 mile long trip. This trip brings you into the upper sections of the Rhinelander Flowage where wind and heavy boat traffic can be a challenge. This requires a 10.8 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 54 minutes.
Map 4 - Rhinelander Dam to Kings Dam
The put in spot for this trip is at Shepard Park (RM 081) (L) which is at the confluence of the Pelican River in the southwest part of the City of Rhinelander. The take out spot is 6 miles downstream at the Hats Rapid Dam (RM 087) (L). This is a nice calm water trip. The bicycle shuttle is 6.1 miles taking 32 minutes.
Putting in at the landing (RM 087) (R) below the Hats Rapid Dam and taking out at the County Road A bridge (RM 099) (R) gives you a 12 mile long trip. About 4 miles downstream of the put in spot, near the Camp 10 Ski Hill, you will encounter the Class II Whirlpool Rapids. An island in the river gives you several options to consider; The left side of the island is short and straight but drops several feet. The right side has a longer rapids with many boulders. You can also choose to portage 300 feet over the very rocky terrain of the island. This faster water ends below Menard Isle. This trip requires a 12.9 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 65 minutes.
You could put in at the County Road A bridge (RM 099) (R) or any of the other public landings located on Lake Alice Flowage which is created by the Kings Dam (RM 104) and fish this area as you would a lake. Be aware of heavy boat traffic and challenging westerly winds.
Likewise, there are multiple public access landings on Lake Mohawksin, which is located adjacent to the City of Tomahawk. Just be aware of increased boat traffic.
Map 5 - Kings Dam to County Road E
This trip puts in about a mile below the Tomahawk Dam at the River Oaks Drive access (RM 112) (R) and takes out at Grandmother Dam (RM 118) (R) giving you a 6 mile long float. The bicycle shuttle is 5.3 miles long taking 26 minutes.
Putting in below the Grandmother Dam (RM 118) (R) and take out just below the County Road E bridge Landing (RM 122) (R). This is more calm flowage water (dependent upon how much water the dam is releasing) to paddle and fish. A bicycle shuttle is 6.2 miles long and takes 29 minutes.
Map 6 - County Road E to Merrill Dam
Putting in at the Camp New Wood County Park Landing (RM 126) (L) gives you two trips to consider, depending upon where you take out; Taking out at the Lokemoen Road Landing (RM 131) (L) gives you a short 5 mile long trip with a bicycle shuttle of 4.8 miles taking 26 minutes. Soon after putting in you will encounter the easily navigated Posey Rapids and then another 2 miles downstream the more challenging Bill Cross Rapids.
Putting in at the Camp New Wood County Park Landing (RM 126) (L) and taking out at the Council Grounds State Park Landing (RM 134) (L) gives you an 8 mile long trip. A State Park fee may be required for entry. The south half of this trip is in the Alexander Flowage where you may experience heavy boat traffic. The bicycle shuttle is 9.4 miles and takes 48 minutes.
You also have the option of putting in and taking out at the City of Merrill Otts Park Landing (RM 137) (R) to do some urban fishing by paddling upstream to the Alexander Dam (RM 134) or downstream to the Merrill Dam (RM 138)
Map 7 - Merrill Dam to Gilbert Park
Putting in at Riverside Park Landing (RM 138) (R) which is located downstream of the Merrill Dam you could have a 9 mile long float and take out at the Pine Bluff Road access (RM 147) (L) off of County Road W. The river in this area has easily navigated rapids leading to a wide river with steady current. The bicycle shuttle is 9.5 miles long taking 50 minutes.
Putting in at Riverside Park Landing (RM 138) (R) and taking out instead at the Granite Heights access (RM 150) (L) gives you a 12 mile long trip. The Trappe Rapids are encountered right before the confluence of the Trappe River where the river narrows and the current increases all the way to the Granite Heights access. A 12.7 mile long bicycle shuttle would take about 67 minutes to complete.
If you put in a the Pine Bluff Road access (RM 147) (L) off of County Road W and take out at the Gilbert Park Landing (RM 155) (L) this gives you an 8 mile long trip. Just below the County Road WW bridge you may want to portage (R) the remains of the old Brokaw dam. Concrete abutments still remain in the river and may hamper your travel. The bicycle shuttle is 8.8 miles long and takes 48 minutes.
Map 8 - Gilbert Park to Mosinee Flowage
This is a slow urban float of about 5 miles within the City of Wausau between two dams. Putting in at the Oak Park Landing (RM 160) (L) and taking out at the Kort Street Landing (RM 165) (L). The 5.1 mile long bicycle shuttle takes 27 minutes.
Putting in right below the Rothschild Dam (RM 166) (R) and taking out at the River Road Landing (RM 173) (L) just upstream of the Mosinee Dam. The Mosinee Flowage is a wide floodplain adjacent to the City of Mosinee. The bicycle shuttle is 8.6 miles and takes 47 minutes.
Map 9 - Mosinee Flowage to DuBay Dam
Putting in at the Fremont Street Landing (RM 176) (R) just downstream of the Mosinee Dam and taking out Mead Avenue Landing (RM 186) (L) (Located at the intersection of County Roads DB and C) gives you a 10 mile trip. The take out is in the middle of the DuBay Flowage. A bicycle shuttle is 6.3 miles long taking 33 minutes.
If you put in at the Fremont Street Landing (RM 176) (R) and instead continue to the DuBay Dam Landing (RM 190) (L) this will give you a 14 mile long trip. Be aware of increased boat traffic and high winds traveling within the flowage. The bicycle shuttle is 9.6 miles long and takes 50 minutes.
Map 10 - DuBay Dam to Whiting Plover Portage
This trip puts in right below the DuBay Dam (RM 190) (R) and takes out 7 miles downstream at the First Lake Landing (RM 197) (R) which is a the headwaters of the Wisconsin River Flowage. A bicycle shuttle of 7 miles takes 34 minutes.
You can also put in at the US Hwy 10 Bridge Landing (RM 195) and take out at the Mead Park access (RM 203) giving you an 8 mile long trip right into the City of Steven Point. Over half of this trip will be paddling within the Wisconsin River Flowage so be aware of heavier boat traffic. The bicycle shuttle is 7.6 miles long and takes 38 minutes.
Putting in at the Consolidated County Park access allows you to fish upstream to the Stevens Point Dam or downstream to the Whiting Dam.