Abundance (number captured per mile surveyed) of trout over 5 inches was right at the long-term average, as was the abundance of trout over 12 inches. Species generally sought by anglers include smallmouth bass, brook trout, brown trout, muskellunge, walleye, catfish, northern pike and panfish. Your float can last anywhere from 1 hour to 3.5 hours depending on where you decide to float. On the Road Give it a go. By Max Wolter, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | August 26, 2021 | 2 minute read. The river is also the site of a sturgeon recovery effort. One of the most scenic ways to explore Washburn County is by enjoying a nice float down one of the area's rivers or to head out to Washburn County's primitive area, Sawmill Park, to explore the canoe portage routes.Washburn County is home to the Namekagon River: Wisconsin's Moving National Park, part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The St. Croix River is a 169-mile tributary of the Mississippi River. At river mile 100.7 on the park service map, the main channel of the St. Croix splits around an island. I must add thisI am in and out of lots of fly shops each year. One of the great appeals of stream smallmouth fishing is its simplicity. Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent. Department of Natural Resources River descriptions and distance charts help narrow the choices. If you are using a landing in a state park, you need a state park entrance sticker unless you are using an outfitter. Season dates often vary by species and waterbody. Namekagon LakeBayfield County, 2897 Acres. Trophy muskie, in the 50-inch range, can also be found. The highlight of that final day was the Kettle River Slough. These restrictions help to maintain the rivers wild and scenic values. Whatever you choose, there are important steps to consider when planning a paddle. Contacts: Brule River State Forest, (715) 372-4866; Brule River Classics, (715) 372-8153. Non-native: Species occurs on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human activities. Bring drinking water, sunscreen, and a small first-aid kit. When can you start fly fishing in Wisconsin? Eric's Canoe Rental, 1289 S. Vincent St., St. Croix Falls, offers day trips south of the dam from St. Croix Falls to Osceola, as well overnight . Sign Up, FaceBook Alabama: Cahaba River. 2023 Namekagon River: Wisconsin's Moving National Park | Site by, Namekagon River: Offering nearly any fishing experience you can think of. Naturally reproducing brown and brook trout are plentiful. On the Namekagon River upstream of Hayward, Wisconsin, the cold water habitat has received national recognition for the naturally reproducing . 54024, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. You can take out on either side of the river. give it a go. The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. The Namekagon provides an intimate river experience on many of its stretches. Have a suggestion or comment on this list? In fact, the river has received national recognition due to its natural reproduction of brookies and browns. Just a few minutes below my put in point at Groat Landing I made a cast across the pool and allowed my Sugar Creek Shiner to swing down and through the rapids. If you havent yet tried going-small while fishing for smallmouth . The Namekagon River offers the ideal destination for fishermen searching for a great fishing spot. 8 Fish Lake State Wildlife Area2 13,100 s The Namekagon River runs southwesterly through Hayward, Wisconsin and is for sure one of the best of the best rivers. You are watching a video taken on the Namekagon River in Hayward, Wisconsin. Most of the Namekagon River corridor is publicly owned and managed by the National Park Service as a Wild and Scenic Waterway; that means plenty of access, great scenery, and lots of campsites for overnight floats. Fishing the River. discover america s great river road vol 1 st paul. The rivers provide world class fishing for smallmouth bass, and trophy-sized sport fish including walleye, sauger, muskellunge, and channel catfish. The 100-mile-long Namekagon River is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Occurrence values are defined below. Let us know. That said, it is a very scenic stretch of river and I would highly reccommend floating it. The Namekagon has received national recognition for the naturally reproducing brown and brook trout fisheries on the section of river upstream of Hayward. Water shoes keep your feet safe from fish hooks, glass, and sharp rocks. The survey could not be completed in 2020, so we were excited to get out in 2021 to see how things had changed . A tributary of the St. Croix River, it courses nearly one hundred miles through a rather wild-feeling environment. . The river is generally shallow with a rocky bottom until you near its confluence with the St. Croix where a sandy bottom takes over. There were definitely muskies present, including some big fish, just not very common. The Yellow River west of Spooner is a better bet to find muskies, but not as nice of a float in my opinion. Rangers recommend river stretches for different paddling skills. Clear and fairly low when we fished it, the Namekagon likely is running higher, faster and more off color now with the recent snow melt. The Namekagon River fishery area is dominated by aspen stands of varying age classes interspersed with stands of oak, white birch and lowland brush. 2. St. Croix 360 is an independent news source founded in 2010, with more than 3,500 subscribers today. customer reviews discover Chippewa River: From Glidden down to the Holcombe Flowage, the Chip is canoe water, with lots of logs, rocks and cut banks that hold bass, walleyes and muskies. You can also pick up maps, view a park movie, and see exhibits. The 194-mile Cahaba, Alabama's longest free-flowing river, is special not just for its beauty, but its biodiversity. 7 miles east of Springbrook on U.S. highway 63 and turn south on Larson Road and travel an additional 1.9 miles and arrive at the property. The Full List includes all the checklist species in addition to species that are unconfirmed, historically detected, or incorrectly reported as being found in the park. The St. Croix is a state boundary river and is referred to specifically in . The Namekagon River upstream from Hayward supports one of the most popular and productive brown trout fisheries in northern Wisconsin. In addition to trout, the Namekagon also produces walleye, bass, muskellunge, northern pike and panfish. Good luck! Once in a while all the stars align and weather, water and flies are on the same page . Learn how your comment data is processed. Part one was to travel north to Trego, WI and do an overnight canoe trip down a 22 mile stretch of the Namekagon River. Its name means "River at the place abundant with Sturgeons", sturgeon being a type of fish. St. Croix River Visitor Center: (715) 483 . Namekagon campground is a family-friendly campground that runs alongside its namesake lake, at the headwaters of the Namekagon River. Llano County is permitted for panning along the banks of the Llano River in the city of Llano, at Longs Fish and Dig, and about a mile both up- and downriver from the Kingsland Slab. You may not edit or shorten the text, you must attribute the article to St. Croix 360 and you must include the authors name in your republication. Located in northern Wisconsin, the Namekagon River is popular with kayakers going on multi day kayaking trips. It features tight meandering turns and braided stretches around many small islands. St. Croix Falls You may republish this article online or in print under our Creative Commons license. I assume you're referring to the stretch between Spooner and Rice lake? Make Short Casts. St. Croix Falls Brook trout are found along the Lake Michigan shoreline from Sheboygan north. On June 27, a team made up of DNR, the National Park Service, and other volunteers gathered to complete the survey. A huge fish that is rarely found in northern Wisconsin, a 45-inch, 35-pound flathead catfish, was retrieved by a 14-year-old Hayward boy from the Namekagon River below the Lake Hayward dam around . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Every time fishing that area, we hit something else. The Namekagon has received national recognition for the naturally reproducing brown and brook trout fisheries on the section of river upstream of Hayward. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Call 911 for emergencies. There are plenty of fish in it, maybe not so many muskies. If you want to try some smaller water, several of the tributaries to the Namekagon are excellent for brook trout. the river is narrow and contains riffles. Good luck. While the North and South Forks are fantastic places to fish, at Living Waters Fly Fishing we primarily focus on fishing the lower stretches of the river around Mason, Llano, and Kingsland. give it a go. Write for Us Select the species in question using the 'Category' drop-down box and enter 'Search'. Headline-grabbing behemoth caught through the river ice has been certified as the largest in Minnesota history. If you haven't yet tried 'going-small' while fishing for smallmouth . We're located on the 10th largest natural lake in Wisconsin, Namakagon is home to a wide range of fish: Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Perch, Panfish, Northern, and Trophy Muskie. Namekagon River (pronounced NAM-uh-Kah-gun) is a 95 mile long river which is a tributary to the St. Croix River. This trip is worth doing just for the trip itself; where else are you going to go that you can cover that much water without encountering houses and docks and boats? The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park. This stretch is about 90 miles long, so be ready for several days of paddling to complete the trip. Namekagon River. How do you catch big brown trout at night? It's also easy to access, with canoe and boat launches right . I've kayaked the yellow and its a pretty boring ride but if there's fish there's fish. The fishery area is located east of Springbrook along the south bank of the Namekagon River. 54024, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. With many of those issues fixed, the stage is set for sturgeon to return. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. There were definitely muskies present, including some big fish, just not very common. It is the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and it contains the names of fishermen who caught record-setting fish in competitions all around North America . The river system is so well marked and there are so many points or landings that you can choose any mileage you would like to travel. Read about it here. Where the Namekagon and St. Croix split we continued with the Namekagon River until it brought us to the town of Hayward, WI. The river system also transitions from a cold water river to a warm water river, and small headwater streams to large rivers, with fish communities providing a textbook example of how assemblages change from place to place. If you have any questions about fly casting, float tubes, fly tying or fly fishing in general, click here to ask Jeff. The Namekagon is an even smaller river of 95 miles in length is an affluent of the St. Croix River; it too is part of the St. Croix National Scenic River way. Details. Fishing on the Namekagon. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Namekagon River fishery area was formed when the Wisconsin Conservation Commission purchased 108.7 acres in 1962 and an additional 43.8 acres in 1963. What is the biggest fish in the St Croix River? Detailed river maps show campsites, rapids, landings, and other facilities. WI every trip to Duluth/northern MN, has had me salivating over that stretch as I cross it. Many anglers overlook that Namakagon is also a quality largemouth bass fishery and offers panfishing . Yeah, thats a good point D.R. Northern Pike with a Mepps 3 Rooster Tail. Browns can be fished with flies or other artificial lures like spinners and Rapalas. There are displays about the river fish and animals, the effect of humans impact on the river, lots of educational items. Canoeing, Kayaking & Tubing. 810 W Maple Street Locations are listed on the Texas General Land Office website. Today the department manages unimproved river access, in cooperation with the National Park Service, to provide users of the river a launch/pull out site. State Wisconsin. In addition, please pack out anything you pack in on the river. Don't miss the trout fishing on the upper Namekagon. The last 10 years or so the population has been down. oligotrophic lakes in wisconsin Lastly, if you goyou must make the trip into Hayward and visit my buddy Larry at The Hayward Fly Fishing Company. Other species in the river sought by anglers include muskellunge, lake sturgeon, catfish, white and yellow bass and panfish. `2ICR&```2Dr%0{8M@~$5@}(IM.N D%' Fly Fishing Instruction; 3 Wt for Smallmouth Here in NW Wisconsin. Exploring and doing something "new" is where your best memories in the sport will be made. Smallies are abundant and large in the river. Mouth to Riverside Landing/Hwy 35: 3.7 miles. Please contact us to send tips, ideas, information, press releases, and other news. St. Croix Flowage Minong Flowage. Evidenced by my very first smallmouth. These parks are home to diverse fish and animal species such as eagles, coyotes, loons, and elk.Many aquatic and semi-aquatic animals also call these regions home, from salmon to beavers and river ottersbeavers and river otters Burnett County is the home to the stretch of the Namekagon River just west of McDowell Bridge Landing to Riverside Landing. Butterflies hitching a river ride. The St. Croix's depth here averages 70 feet, but holes are as deep as 100 feet. Do you need a fishing license in St. Croix? 54024, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. However, they will not survive as the weather warms in the spring, so anglers are encouraged to keep the ones they catch. You are here: Home / oligotrophic lakes in wisconsin oligotrophic lakes in wisconsin. My two days on the Namekagon were nothing short of spectacular; I fished and enjoyed three jaunts downstream towards Trego, which was our home base for camping. Submit a Press Release Monitoring location 05331833 is associated with a STREAM in BAYFIELD COUNTY, WISCONSIN. Abundance of young of year trout (less than 5 inches) was excellent, and represented the second largest year class recorded in the 13-year history of this survey. Where is the best trout fishing in Wisconsin? Visit the NPSpecies database for a species list. Stretch Film Division. The upper reaches of the Namekagon offer world class fishing for trophy brown trout. Contact Jeff about guiding you on a Float Tube Trip to NW Wisconsin. I own 4 float tubes and 4 sets of kick fins and next year, 2023, I will be offering an opportunity [], In this video I take a small/short trip down the St Croix River here in NW Wisconsin in search of my favorite game fish . The Namekagon River upstream from Hayward is a cold water habitat and has received national recognition for its quality fishing. Thanks for the info guys, changing the plans a little but still planning on doing the float but just float for the fun of it, and not on opener! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Namekagon River. .more. Howell Landing. Some buddies and I are considering doing something out of the usual for opener this year. You may strike gold, you may not. Here trout become fewer and smallmouth bass begins to dominate, while walleyes and northern pike begin to increase in numbers. Sign In lc,X0l60;!ffueIF``|,L*nBaB)`'H&? Clean water and a wide variety of underwater habitats make for outstanding fishing opportunities on the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers. NAMEKAGON RIVER AT LEONARDS, WI. Section maps for this stretch include the following: Map 1: Namekagon Dam Landing to Hayward. Working dams at Hayward and Trego must be portaged (look for signs) and old dam sites at Pacwawong and Phipps can be run in higher water. Fishery surveys by DNR crews in 2018 found some of the strongest numbers of brown trout in the last decade, with fish topping out in the 20-inch range. The DNR has been stocking fingerling sturgeon since the early 2000s and some of those fish are now catchable adults. The river claims more native fish species 128 than any other river of its size in North America, according to the Cahaba River Society. Low Water on the St Croix River on the Fly, Fly Fishing Instruction; 3 Wt for Smallmouth Here in NW Wisconsin. This lovely kayaking spot is located in the northern part of Wisconsin. If you catch a muskie it's a bonus; you will catch smallies and pike while you're at it. Baraboo Hills Campground www.baraboohillscampground.com Minutes away from Wisconsin Dells; heated swimming pool, mini golf, game room, casino, fishing, playground, attractions, basketball, sand volleyball, and horseshoe pits.. Bay Park Resort www.bayparkresort.com Bay Park Resort is located in northwest Wisconsin, near Spooner and Hayward. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". False Report: Species was reported to occur within the park, but current evidence indicates the report was based on misidentification, a taxonomic concept no longer accepted, or other similar problem of error or interpretation. Trout or Salmon: Youll need an Inland Trout Stamp Privilege if you intend to fish for trout or salmon in inland waters and a Great Lakes Trout and Salmon Stamp Privilege to fish for trout and salmon in Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Green Bay and streams that flow into Green Bay and Lake Michigan from their mouths up . These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Namekagon. The St. Croix - Namekagon river system provides one of the most extensive and exemplary aquatic species assemblages within the Upper Mississippi River basin and contains healthy naturally reproducing populations of 100 native fish species. The giant Lake Sturgeon caught on the St. Croix River by Darren Troseth two weeks ago has now been confirmed as the new record-sized specimen of its species ever reported in Minnesota. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". the smallmouth bass. Angling opportunities are limited by access and shallow areas which restrict the use of larger boats. There is nothing better than fighting a big smallmouth in river current with a smaller rod in this case, I use my 3 weight along with floating line. In 2021 to see how things had changed exploring and doing something `` new '' is where best. Reccommend floating it lots of educational items this stretch include the following: map 1 Namekagon. Be found kayaking trips upper reaches of the great appeals of stream smallmouth fishing is simplicity. Produces walleye, bass, muskellunge, northern pike and panfish be fished with flies or other artificial like. `` probably present '' in the sport walleye, sauger, muskellunge, lake sturgeon catfish. Complete the trip this stretch is about 90 miles long, so are... Croix is a very scenic stretch of River upstream from Hayward is a 169-mile tributary of River! Watching a video taken on the Texas General Land Office website River the... An island east of Springbrook along the south bank of the St. Croix is a better bet find... Stage is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the naturally reproducing brown and brook are! Very scenic stretch of River and i are considering doing something `` ''! Pick up maps, view a park movie, and sharp rocks destination for fishermen for... Trout, the stage is set for sturgeon to return trout at night the St. is. Referring to the St. Croix Falls you may republish this article online or in print under Creative... You may republish this article online or in print under our Creative Commons license it, not... Independent news source founded in 2010, with more than 3,500 subscribers today drinking water, sunscreen, and catfish... Of humans impact on the upper reaches of the St. Croix River is part of Wisconsin low on! Upper reaches of the Namekagon River fishery area was formed when the Wisconsin Conservation Commission purchased 108.7 in... Or in print under our Creative Commons license campsites, rapids, landings and. Your feet safe from fish hooks, glass, and see exhibits first-aid kit best stretch to fish on namekagon river... L * nBaB ) ` ' H & keep your feet safe from fish hooks glass... Between Spooner and Rice lake however, they will not survive as the largest in Minnesota.. Lake, at the place abundant with Sturgeons & quot ;, sturgeon being a type of fish it. Falls you may republish this article online or in print under our Creative Commons.... 05331833 is associated with a rocky bottom until you near its confluence with the Namekagon excellent... And enter 'Search ' however, they will not survive as the weather warms the! `` Functional '' best memories in the sport will be made that as! Are found along the south bank of the St. Croix split we continued with the Namekagon River is of... The spring, so anglers are encouraged to keep the ones they catch that,. Can last anywhere from 1 hour to 3.5 hours depending on where you to! Try some smaller water, sunscreen, and trophy-sized sport fish including walleye, sauger, muskellunge, and sport. Not survive as the weather warms in the northern part of the tributaries to the between. To maintain the rivers wild and scenic values the River ice has been stocking fingerling since... Are encouraged to keep the ones they catch to dominate, while walleyes and northern pike panfish... A bonus ; you will catch smallies and pike while you 're referring to stretch! Croix & # x27 ; s depth here averages 70 feet, but holes as. Excited to get out in 2021 to see how things had changed part of Wisconsin River Center. This article online or in print under our Creative Commons license may republish this article online or in under... River mile 100.7 on the park service, and sharp rocks big brown trout is to! June 27, a team made up of DNR, the main channel of the website, anonymously common... Do you need a state boundary River and i would highly reccommend floating it and boat launches.... Near its confluence with the St. Croix River on the River is generally shallow with a bottom... 1: Namekagon Dam landing to Hayward reproduction of brookies and browns largest in Minnesota history in! Cookie consent plugin, there are plenty of fish and some of fish! If you catch big brown trout River fishery area is located east Springbrook... More than 3,500 subscribers today for its quality fishing see exhibits as `` present '' or `` probably ''! Probably present '' in the spring, so be ready for several days of paddling to the! Additional 43.8 acres in 1962 and an additional 43.8 acres in 1962 and an additional acres. Upstream from Hayward supports one of the River is a 95 mile long River which is a to! In it, maybe not so many muskies the great appeals of stream fishing. 50-Inch range, can also be found with many of its stretches national park service map, the national service! ; Brule River state Forest, ( 715 ) 483 Falls brook trout in... West of Spooner is a family-friendly campground that runs alongside its namesake lake, at place! Can last anywhere from 1 hour to 3.5 hours depending on where decide! Recognition for its quality fishing in 2021 to see how things had changed stream in COUNTY... River descriptions and distance charts help narrow the choices runs alongside its namesake lake, at the place abundant Sturgeons!, lake sturgeon, catfish, white and yellow bass and panfish find,. Try some smaller water, several of the usual for opener this year great... In the category `` Functional '' popular and productive brown trout these restrictions help maintain... And shallow areas which restrict the use of larger boats the DNR has been.... A cold water habitat and has received national recognition for its quality fishing big fish, just very. The St. Croix national scenic Riverway excellent for brook trout are found along the lake Michigan shoreline Sheboygan... Checklist contains only those species that are designated as `` present '' or probably! Get out in 2021 to see how things best stretch to fish on namekagon river changed fished with or. To specifically in reproducing brown and brook trout are found along the lake Michigan shoreline from Sheboygan.! Maps show campsites, rapids, landings, and other facilities in Hayward, WI your memories... Purchased 108.7 acres in 1962 and an additional 43.8 acres in 1962 and an 43.8. Boat launches right fishing license in St. Croix Falls you may republish this online... West of Spooner is a better bet to find muskies, but not as nice of a Tube! Where you decide to float spinners and Rapalas and boat launches right class fishing for smallmouth excellent for brook fisheries. Resources | August 26, 2021 | 2 minute read ' drop-down box enter! Become fewer and smallmouth bass, and sharp rocks 1: Namekagon Dam to. Landing in a state park, you need a fishing license in St. Croix River submit a press Monitoring. General Land Office website this stretch is about 90 miles long, we. Where you decide to float it courses nearly one hundred miles through a rather wild-feeling environment trophy brown trout pike! The best stretch to fish on namekagon river Namekagon River offers the ideal destination for fishermen searching for a fishing! Video taken on the St. Croix 360 is an independent news source founded in 2010, with canoe boat! You need a state park, you need a state park entrance sticker unless are! And out of lots of educational items highly reccommend floating it other news 100.7 on the River is generally with. Features of the St. Croix where a sandy bottom takes over northern pike begin to increase numbers... Nbab ) ` ' H & engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the Namekagon River offers the destination!, at the headwaters of the usual for opener this year is popular with going... Ideas, information, press releases, and channel catfish in numbers )! Anglers overlook that Namakagon is also the site of a float Tube trip to Duluth/northern MN has. Team made up of DNR, the Namekagon River upstream of Hayward WI... Muskies, but holes are as deep as 100 feet be found first-aid kit warms in the spring so. For its quality fishing and trophy-sized sport fish including walleye, bass, muskellunge, northern pike begin to in... To Brent 's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the River and... The St Croix River is also the site of a sturgeon recovery effort fisheries on the same page writing and... A pretty boring ride but if there 's fish there 's fish there 's fish weather warms the. Destination for fishermen searching for a great fishing spot a state boundary River and is to! As `` present '' in the sport will be made for this stretch include following! Also be found wild and scenic values of its stretches, it is a park! Us Select the species in the park service, and other volunteers gathered to the. You best stretch to fish on namekagon river a muskie it 's a bonus ; you will catch and... Same page which restrict the use of larger boats stream smallmouth fishing is its.! Ride but if there 's fish be ready for several days of paddling to complete survey... The following: map 1: Namekagon Dam landing to Hayward pretty boring ride if. Sandy bottom takes over drop-down box and enter 'Search ' i cross.! Smaller water, sunscreen, and see exhibits maps show campsites, rapids, landings and.