Canoeing

1. Manitowish River Trail
Hwy 51 Bridge into Turtle-Flambeau Flowage.
Total: 20 miles. Rating: Novice.

Named for the "manitous" or spirit people of the Ojibwa,
the Manitowish is a clean sandy bottomed river with a steady
current.
This route is a continuation of the popular Manitowish trip that
begins at High Lake (Vilas County) at the river's origin on Co. B
east of Presque Isle.
As it enters Iron County, below the village of Manitowish Waters,
it leaves the populated Manitowish Chain of Lakes and flows
through quiet pine-studded uplands and wildlife-rich marshes.
During normal water levels there should be no portages.
There are several state-owned rustic campsites along the route.
Most do not have water. Be prepared to bring you own if you
plan to camp.
A variety of trips of different lengths may be made depending on the choice of put-in. The trip may be started below the Rest
Lake Dam in Manitowish Waters or downstream at the Hwy 51 bridge. There are parking areas at both put-ins.
Downstream from the Hwy 51 bridge, the river makes a wide 'S' curve and bends into a short, but fun Class I rapids. It should
pose no problems. There is a good fishing hole along the high sand banks at the end of the bend.
The river widens briefly into Sturgeon Lake. After this point, no other development will be found along the route except for
rustic campsites and waysides.
The old bridge abutments at the State Wayside on Hwy 51 mark this as a potential take-out or put-in. Water and toilet facilities
are available here, but no camping is permitted. It is roughly a 1 1/2-2 hour paddle from the Hwy. 51 put-in to this point.
The character of the river changes now as it enters a large marshy area. Currents remain good and some interesting side
trips can be made up the backwater sloughs to investigate the many "pine islands" that dot the river's banks.
A popular take-out is the town of Manitowish. The take-out is located on the east (right) bank of the river, just before it passes
under an old railroad trestle and the Hwy. 47 bridge. Paddle up a small slough to get to the take-out.
Paddling time from the Hwy. 51 bridge to Manitowish approximately 3 hours and makes a nice half-day trip. Limited supplies
are available in Manitowish.
Downstream, the river continues through the great marsh, its course bending south. Past Manitowish, there are no take-outs
until Murray's Landing in the Flambeau Flowage. Paddling time from Manitowish to Murray's Landing is approximately 5 hours.
The newly-designated Manitowish River Wilderness Area lies to the east of the river's edge and Hwy. 47. This is a great area
to see waterfowl!
There are 4 rustic State-owned campsites along this section. Watch for the convergence of the Bear River from the left. A
favorite camping and fishing spot is at the confluence.
Together the waters of the Bear and the Manitowish Rivers create the mighty North Fork of the Flambeau River. The river now
widens. Meanders and marshy islands mark the entrance into the great 19,000 acre Turtle-Flambeau Flowage. It is
approximately a 2-hour paddle from the Bear River to the Murray's Landing take-out.
Murray's Landing is located about 2 miles into the main body of the Flowage. This is a well-marked public boat landing located
on the right (north) shore of the river where it narrows to a 100-foot width before entering the main body of the Flowage.
Murray's Landing is connected by Murray's Landing Road to Hwy. 51 1/2 mile west of Manitowish. Supplies are available in
Manitowish or Mercer.
This trip may be extended by paddling through the Flowage to Turtle Dam, a distance of approximately 9 1/2 miles. (See river
route #4 for information of the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage.)

2. Bear River Trail
Flambeau Lake to Murray's Landing (Turtle-Flambeau Flowage).
Total: 25 miles. Rating: Novice.

This trip is tranquil and unspoiled by development. There is always an
opportunity to see wildlife. Fishing is usually good.
Only one low hazard rapids, better described as a "riffle", will be
encountered at the second bridge crossing. A good portion of this
route passes through the historic Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation.
The usual put-in is below the outlet of Flambeau Lake. This makes a
25-mile paddle to the Murray's Landing take-out. Other put-in points
can be made at either of the two town road bridges or at the State
Hwy. 182 bridge. Putting in at the Hwy. 182 bridge makes a fine
half-day paddle to Murray's Landing.
The full trip starts at Flambeau Lake, southwest of the town Lac du
Flambeau. The put-in is below Flambeau Dam off the public road.
The first 4 miles of the trip is narrow and full of oxbows as the river
bends through a great marsh. It soon widens and the current becomes
faster. A creek adjoining Munnomin Lake enters the Bear from the
left. Munnomin is a favorite for ducks and geese. The river becomes
wider and deeper with few bends past this point.
The lone rapids is located at the East River bridge, the second
road bridge encountered should be no problem.

The river continues through the great marsh, assuming a almost "bottomland" character before it crosses the third bridge at
Hwy. 182. There are no take-outs from this point downstream to Murray's landing.
Look for the Manitowish River joining the Bear. From this point on the two rivers are called the Flambeau River-North Fork. A
favorite campsite is at the confluence of the rivers. Good walleye fishing can be found there, too.
From the confluence to Murray's Landing in the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage requires about 2 hours of paddling on the right
shore where the river narrows to a 100-yard width before entering the main body of the Turtle-Flowage.
Murray's Landing is connected by Murray's Landing Road to Hwy. 51, 1/2 mile west of the town of Manitowish. Supplies are
available in Mercer or Manitowish.










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