River | County | Reach | Length (miles) | Description | Potential Classification | ORVs | Watershed (HUC Code 8) | Year Listed/ Updated | Other State |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bad River | Ashland | From town of Mellen to mouth | 51 | A northern Wisconsin river in a heavily forested watershed. Flows through outstanding Copper Falls State Park and Bad River Indian Reservation and empties into Lake Superior. Upper area has high hills, rock outcrops, gravel banks and Copper Falls. Good trout fishing in upper reaches. Canoeable only below falls. Relatively undeveloped. Studied by the state for possible inclusion in the State Wild Rivers System. | Geologic, Scenic | Bad-Montreal | 1982 | ||
Black River | LaCrosse, Jackson | Black River Falls dam to confluence with Mississippi River | 62 | An outstanding river segment flowing through western Wisconsin hill country to the Mississippi River. Very little cultural intrusion. High sand banks, wooded shores and occasional limestone bluffs. Only 12 dwellings visible, except for village of North Bend; 4 road crossings on entire stretch. A sand bottom stream with good water quality and flow. Many large sandbars offer excellent recreation opportunities on this unspoiled stretch of river. Studied by the State for possible inclusion in the State Wild Rivers System. | Geologic, Recreational, Scenic | Black | 1982 | ||
Black River, East Fork | Jackson, Wood, Clark | From source SE of Chili to mouth at Black River. | 58 | A generally small stream only seasonally canoeable. Low recreational use. Fishing fair. Has a relatively undeveloped shoreline and a fairly well wooded watershed. Little cultural intrusion. | Scenic | Black | 1982 | ||
Bois Brule River | Douglas | Campground at County road south to mouth at Lake Superior | 38 | This stretch of river flows entirely within the Brule River State Forest to Lake Superior. One of the state's most famous and scenic trout streams. An excellent canoe trip over some medium rapids in lower section. Watershed heavily forested with 3% public ownership along stream. | Fish, Recreational, Scenic | Beartrap-Nemadji | 1982 | ||
Brule River | Florence, Forest | Forest Boundary to backwater of Brule Island dam | 43 | Flows on boundary of Michigan and Wisconsin. Good to excellent canoeing and fishing. Watershed is primarily forested. Good water quality. | Fish, Recreational | Menominee | 1982 | MI | |
Brule River | Florence, Forest | Brule Lake to Forest boundary | 10 | Excellent brown trout fishery. Provides fine recreational canoe route during most of the year. | Recreational | Fish, Historic, Recreational | Menominee | 1982/ 1993 | MI |
Chippewa River | Rusk, Sawyer | Dam at Radisson to Holcombe Flowage | 56 | A north central Wisconsin stream flowing through a mostly forested area. Some farming to waters edge. Not a top quality river although very good for recreation. More than usual cultural intrusion. | Recreational, Scenic | Upper Chippewa | 1982 | ||
Chippewa River | Peppin, Dunn | Eau Claire-Dunn County line to confluence with Mississippi River | 48 | A broad river segment located in the western Wisconsin hill country. Many sand bars and islands in the channel. Near mouth, the country flattens out to a broad floodplain interspersed with forests and farms. Chippewa River Bottoms National Natural Landmark located at mouth. Banks are generally forested. Fishing fair to good. Provides an excellent scenic canoe trip with generally slow water and few rapids. | Recreational, Scenic | Upper Chippewa | 1982 | ||
Chippewa River, East Fork | Iron, Ashland | Headwaters to Glidden | 32 | A tributary of the Chippewa River flowing through a forested watershed. An average stream for this part of the state. Fair to good recreational potential. Crosses Chequanegon National Forest. | Recreational, Scenic | Upper Chippewa | 1982 | ||
Chippewa River, East Fork | Ashland, Sawyer | forest boundary to Sturgeon Bay at upper end of Blaisdell Lake | 21 | A tributary of the Chippewa River flowing through a forested watershed. An average stream for this part of the state. Fair to good recreational potential. Crosses Chequanegon National Forest. | Recreational/Scenic | Fish, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Upper Chippewa | 1982/ 1993 | |
Clam River | Burnett, Polk | Clam Falls flowage to Clam River flowage | 45 | A tributary of the St. Croix River located in northwestern Wisconsin forest land. Limited trout fishing and some warm water species. Canoeing possible on entire length. | Scenic | Upper St. Croix | 1982 | ||
Crystal River | Waupaca | Long Lake to confluence with Waupaca River | 12 | A fast running small stream flowing through central Wisconsin farm and forest country. Banks are generally wooded. Trout fishing above Cory Millpond. Old grist mill and small towns have historic value. | Recreational | Wolf | 1982 | ||
Des Plaines River | Kenosha | Headwaters to Wisconsin-Illinois State line | 22 | An interstate river rising in Kenosha County farm country. Major portion of this river is in Illinois. Flows through Racine and Chicago SMSA. Portion in Wisconsin generally free of development, except farming. Some floating use. Fishing is major use. Good warm water fishing. | Recreational | Des Plaines | 1982 | ||
Flambeau River | Rusk, Price | Crowley dam to Big Falls Reservoir | 46 | Much of this stretch of river lies in the Flambeau River State Forest. Virtually all wilderness with very little cultural development. Good water quality with many rapids and good fishing. A very good stretch of wild river. | Recreational, Scenic | Flambeau | 1982 | ||
Flambeau River, South Fork | Sawyer, Rusk, Price | SR 13 S. of Park Falls to confluence with Flambeau River | 33 | Flows through a generally wild, forested watershed and portion of Chequamegon National Forest. A good to high quality stream with very good musky and walleye fishing. Some bald eagle nesting. Canoeable with mostly easy water and some rapids. Minimal cultural intrusion. | Fish, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | South Fork Flambeau | 1982 | ||
Flambeau River, South Fork | Price | Round Lake to forest boundary | 24 | Canoeable in high water. | Recreational/Scenic | Fish, Historic, Recreational, Scenic, Other | South Fork Flambeau | 1982/ 1993 | |
Fox River | Ontagomie, Brown | Kankana to DePere | 17 | A major route across Wisconsin of early explorers, fur traders and settlers. Many historic sites in upper river area and around Green Bay. Flows through Green Bay SMSA. | Historic, Recreational | Lower Fox | 1982 | ||
Fox River | Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha | Waukesha to Waterford (33 river miles); Waterford to Wilmot (26 river miles) | 61 | A slow moving river through southern Wisconsin farm country with agriculture to the waters edge in many places. Flows through some lakes and Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha SMSA's. Has good recreation potential. | Historic, Recreational | Lower Fox | 1982 | ||
Jump River | Chippewa, Price, Rusk, Taylor | From confluence with North Fork Jump River to Holcombe flowage. | 33 | A north central Wisconsin tributary of the Chippewa River. Good warm water species habitat. An average stream for recreation purposes. | Scenic | Jump | 1982 | ||
Kickapoo River | Crawford, Richland, Vernon | Ontario to confluence with Wisconsin River | 108 | A long river segment flowing through very scenic western Wisconsin hill country. Bottomlands along river are generally farmed, but hill-sides and watershed are fairly well wooded. High bluffs and rock outcrops in places. Harbors rare and endangered tundra plants. Flows through Kickapoo River National Natural Landmark. | Geologic, Scenic | Kickapoo | 1982 | ||
LaCrosse River | LaCrosse, Monroe | Perch Lake 143 dam to mouth at Mississippi River | 40 | Flows through western Wisconsin area of high hills and coulees. Moderate floating use. Good trout fishing above Perch Lake 143. | Scenic | La Crosse-Pine | 1982 | ||
Marengo River | Ashland | Town of Marengo to confluence with Bad River | 14 | A generally narrow trout stream, tributary to the Bad River. Shorelands almost entirely forested. Lower reaches have extensive agriculture to waters edge in places. | Scenic | Bad-Montreal | 1982 | ||
Mecan River | Marquette, Waushara | Richford to backwaters of impoundment at Germania | 21 | A fair to good trout stream in upper reaches and warm water fishing in lower portion. A good small central Wisconsin stream receiving moderate fishing and canoeing use. Watershed about 50% farmed. Banks generally wooded. Flows through some marsh areas in upper reaches. | Recreational | Upper Fox | 1982 | ||
Menominee River | Marinette | Dam at White Rapids to backwaters of Grand Rapids | 28 | Flows on boundary between Wisconsin and Michigan. A broad river with good flow thtough heavily forested country. Good fishing and canoeing. Several portages. | Recreational | Menominee | 1982 | MI | |
Menominee River | Marinette | Dam at White Rapids to backwaters of Grand Rapids | 29 | Flows on boundary between Wisconsin and Michigan. A broad river with good flow through heavily forested country. Good fishing and canoeing. Several portages. | Recreational | Menominee | 1982 | MI | |
Milwaukee River | Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, FonDuLac | Eden to Campbellsport (8 rm); Campbellsport to YoungAmerica (16 rm); West Bend to Waubeka (20 rm); Grafton to Thiensville ( 10 river miles) | 66 | A southeastern Wisconsin river rising near the highly popular Kettle Moraine State Forest emptying into Lake Michigan at Milwaukee. Has scenic dolomite bluff near Grafton. Relatively little development considering the area it flows through. Watershed fairly heavily farmed although banks are generally wooded. | Recreational, Scenic | Milwaukee | 1982 | ||
Nemadji River | Douglas | Wisconsin-Michigan State line to drive-in theater S. of Superior village | 26 | A meandering, generally slow moving stream flowing through the extreme northwestern part of the state. Moderate recreational use. High banks along part. Generally little cultural intrusion. Flows through Duluth-Superior SMSA. | Scenic | Beartrap-Nemadji | 1982 | ||
North Branch Peshtigo River | Forest | From Forest Road 2183 to National Forest Boundary | 15 | Canoeable on main branch in high water, variety of character from flat oxbows to narrow rapids. | Scenic/Wild | Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Other | Peshtigo | 1982/ 1993 | |
North Branch Pike River | Marinette | Township Rd. one-half mile downstream of U.S. 8 to mouth at Pike River | 30 | A tributary of the Pike River flowing through mostly wild, well forested country with some farmland in the watershed. Some rapids and low falls. Canoeing fair, difficult at times. | Scenic | Menominee | 1982 | ||
North Branch Pine River | Florence, Forest | From the East shoreline of Butternut Lake to confluence with Pine River. | 17 | Canoeable in high water. Remote recreational setting. | Scenic/Wild | Recreational, Scenic | Menominee | 1982 | |
North Branch Popple River | Forest | From source to confluence with Popple River | 11 | Canoeable below Highway 55 during high water (spring), stretches of rapids alternate with slow water, variety of wildlife in area. | Scenic/Wild | Recreational, Wildlife | Menominee | 1982/ 1993 | |
North Fork Jump River | Price | From Spring Creek Flowage to confluence with Jump River | 26 | A north central Wisconsin tributary of the Chippewa River. Good warm water species habitat. An average stream for recreation purposes. | Scenic | Jump | 1982 | ||
Oconto River | Oconto | Confluence with Peshtigo Brook to Underhill | 19 | A northeastern Wisconsin river flowing through generally forested land in upper portion and largely agricultural country in lower portion. A basically slow moving stream. | Scenic | Oconto | 1982 | ||
Peshtigo River | Marinette, Forest | Headwaters to backwaters of Caldron Falls Reservoir excluding portion in National Forest | 32 | A winding stream flowing through marsh country in upper portion. | Geologic, Recreational, Scenic | Peshtigo | 1982 | ||
Peshtigo River | Forest | The Peshtigo River within the Nat. Forest boundary | 28 | Canoeable on main branch in high water, variety of character from flat oxbows to narrow rapids. | Rec/Wild/Scenic | Geologic, Recreational, Scenic, Other | Peshtigo | 1982/ 1993 | |
Pike River | Marinette | From confleunce with South Branch Pike River to mouth at Menominee River. | 16 | An excellent northeastern Wisconsin stream flowing through a heavily forested watershed. Rock outcrops, falls, canyons, and rapids provide a high quality floating experience. Somewhat threatened by expanding recreation home interest. A component of the State Wild Rivers System. | Geologic, Recreational, Scenic | Menominee | 1982 | ||
Pine River | Florence, Forest | National Forest Boundary to backwaters of Pine River dam | 21 | A relatively undeveloped stream mostly within the Nicolet National Forest. Has a heavily forested watershed with few areas cleared to waters edge. Generally not canoeable during summers. A component of State Wild Rivers System. Fishing generally good. | Scenic | Menominee | 1982 | ||
Pine River | Florence, Forest | Portion within National Forest Boundaries. | 46 | Canoeable in high water. Remote recreational setting. | Scenic/Wild | Recreational, Scenic | Menominee | 1982 | |
Plover River | Portage, Marathon | Bevent to east of Stevens Point and Park Ridge | 25 | A small tributary of the Wisconsin River located in north central farm and hill country. Brook, brown and rainbow trout in upper reaches. Very good canoeing. | Recreational | Castle Rock | 1982 | ||
Popple River | Florence | From National Forest boundary to mouth at confluence with Pine River | 14 | Flows through a heavily forested portion of northeastern Wisconsin. Good fishing. Canoeable from Hwy. 139 downstream. Relatively undeveloped, flowing mostly through Nicolet National Forest. A component of the State Wild River System. | Recreational | Menominee | 1982 | ||
Popple River | Florence, Forest | From source to boundary of National Forest | 33 | Canoeable below Highway 55 during high water (spring), stretches of rapids alternate with slow water, variety of wildlife in area. | Scenic/Wild | Recreational, Wildlife | Menominee | 1982/ 1993 | |
Potato River | Iron | Town of Upson to confluence with Bad River | 27 | A tributary of the Bad River system in northern part of the state. Very little cultural development. Waterfalls and rapids in wild corridor. Canoeing limited. Low quality trout fishing. Good public ownership. Some high hills and banks. | Geologic, Scenic | Bad-Montreal | 1982 | ||
Somo River | Lincoln | Junction of Big Somo & Little Somo creeks at Clifford to Lake Mohawksin | 23 | Flows through an open area of little relief in north central part of state. Many low, swampy areas along stream. | Scenic | Upper Wisconsin | 1982 | ||
South Branch Pike River | Marinette | From Brock Pond dam to confluence with Pike River | 22 | An excellent northeastern Wisconsin stream flowing through a heavily forested watershed. Rock outcrops, falls, canyons, and rapids provide a high quality floating experience. Somewhat threatened by expanding recreation home interest. A component of the State Wild Rivers System. | Geologic, Recreational, Scenic | Menominee | 1982 | ||
South Branch Popple River | Florence, Forest | From source to confluence with Popple River | 11 | Canoeable below Highway 55 during high water (spring), stretches of rapids alternate with slow water, variety of wildlife in area. | Scenic | Recreational, Wildlife | Menominee | 1982/ 1993 | |
South Fork Jump River | Price | State Highway 13 at Prentice, WI to confluence with Jump River | 34 | Flows through a well forested watershed and has some cultural intrusions. Canoeable and fishable, but not heavily used. | Recreational/Scenic | Recreational, Scenic | Jump | 1982/ 1993 | |
Sugar River | Green, Winnebago | Lake Decatur in Green County, Wisconsin to confluence with the Pecatonia | 33 | A meandering interstate river with many remnant and existing oxbow lakes. Flows through an area of very intensive agriculture in northern Illinois. Has very good sport fishing and some unique flora | Fish, Recreational | Sugar | 1982 | IL | |
Thornapple River | Rusk, Sawyer | Headwaters to mouth at Chippewa River confluence (except part within Chequamegon National Forest) | 64 | Flows through forested and farmed watershed. Low to moderate recreational use. Corridor generally well forested. | Scenic | Upper Chippewa | 1982 | ||
Totagetic River | Douglas, Sawyer, Washburn | Nelson Lake to Minong flowage (formerly Lake Nancy) | 39 | A small to medium sized stream flowing through northern coniferous and hardwood forests. Good recreation potential, but use low. Fishing is generally average. Tributary to Namekagon River, a component of National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. | Scenic | Namekagon | 1982 | ||
Waupaca River | Waupaca, Portage | Weyauwega to below Mill Pond at Amherst, Wisconsin | 39 | The Tomorrow/Waupaca is one river with two names. The name change occurs at the Portage-Waupaca county line rather than at a confluence. The corridor is largely undeveloped, but it does flow through farm lands and woods. The upper reaches support a trout fishery, while the lower reaches support trout and small mouth bass. In addition, many waterfowl and shore birds use the corridor. | Recreational | Fish, Recreational, Scenic, Wildlife | Wolf | 1995 | |
White River | Ashland, Bayfield | Headwaters in Bayfield County to impoundment at crossing of County Road 112 in Ashland County | 43 | A large tributary of the Bad River flowing through an area of high hills in the lower reaches and many miles through the very wild Bibon Swamp. Outstanding water quality in upper reaches. A popular canoe route. Popular trout water in upper portion. A very small portion lies within the Chequamegon National Forest. | Recreational/Scenic | Recreational, Scenic | Bad-Montreal | 1982/ 1993 | |
Wisconsin River | Marathon, Lincoln | Merrill to Wausau (22 river miles); Wausau to Marathon Co. line south (23 rm) | 51 | The largest river system in Wisconsin. Good water quality. Flows from near Michigan border in the north to Mississippi River. Crosses unglaciated driftless area of hills and bluff. | Geologic, Recreational | Lake Dubay | 1982 | ||
Wolf River | Outagamie, Wampaca, Shawano | Shawano to county Road P, 2 miles North of Shiocton | 43 | Considered a prime northern river, it has outstanding seasonal walleye and white bass fishing. The river is a popular canoe route with generally good water quality. The watershed is about 60% farmed, the rest being forested with some extensive swamps. Part of upper portion of this river is an existing component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. | Fish, Recreational | Wolf | 1982 | ||
Yellow River | Juneau, Wood | Spillway at Lake Dexter to Necedah Bluff | 42 | A central Wisconsin stream flowing through farm country with a generally wooded corridor and watershed. Lower portion flows through Necedah National Wildlife Refuge where there are remnant oxbow lakes. | Scenic | Castle Rock | 1982 |
Last updated: November 30, 2016