- Brule River
- Black River
- Bois Brule River
- Chippewa River
- Eau Claire River
- Flambeau River
- Manitowish River
- Menominee River
- Montreal River
- Namekagon River
- Peshtigo River
- Pike River
- Pine River
- Popple River
- Red River
- St Croix River
- Tomahawk River
- White River
- Wisconsin River
- Wolf River
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WPG
A canoeing, kayaking, and whitewater rafting guide to Wisconsin's most popular paddle rivers.
Brule River
Most of the 55 mile-long Brule River flows along the northeastern edge of Wisconsin and forms part of the border with upper Michigan. The river runs through a remote, wilderness setting with few cabins and homes, and even fewer roads. The 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. This is one of the most secluded, navigable rivers in the state which provides an excellent, relaxing paddling experience for those who wish to escape the daily grind.
The Brule has a pleasant small-river character in a gorgeous northwoods setting. The surrounding landscape varies from high wooded banks in small rolling hills, to dense northern lowland forest, and open wetlands. Cedar, spruce, balsam fir, red pine, aspen, maple, birch, and various thickets cover the river banks.
Wildlife is abundant, especially in the morning and afternoon hours. Paddlers are likely to see, white-tailed deer, beaver, muskrat, raccoon, and river otter. Among the 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 popular trout stream with brown and brook trout frequently pulled from the many pools scattered throughout the river's length.
The Brule is mainly quietwater with just a few, short sets of rapids, most located just above and below the Pentoga (FR 2446) Bridge in Segment 2.
Early french explorers named the river; Brule, which means 'burnt' in french. The forest near the confluence with the Menominee had been decimated by fire around the time they first arrived. The Chippewa named the river "We-sa-co-ta".
Season
The river is usually navigable throughout spring and summer, and into fall. It can be scrappy in places during periods of little rainfall in late summer and fall.
River Level Information
river gage location: US Hwy 2 Bridge, MI (north side)
suggested minimum level: 3.5 feet / 220 cfs
on the web: USGS gage @ Hwy 2, MI