Canoeing/Kayaking

INTRODUCTION

From Lake Superior’s tributaries to the Superior National Forest, the Arrowhead has canoeing and kayaking galore. Plan an extended trip into the BWCAW or a day trip on the St. Louis River. Learn from a professional or tackle the rapids of Wisconsin’s Brule River. For water level information, check out the DNR’s report.  Most importantly, before beginning your journey learn to talk like an experienced boater and get to know what the different classes of rapids mean:

LEARN THE LINGO

Keel – A strip of material running along a canoe or kayak’s underside.
Used for durability and direction.
Skirt – Also known as a spraydeck, is worn by a kayaker to prevent water
 from coming in the cockpit.
Gunwale – The edge of the side of a boat.
J-Stroke - A canoeing stroke that spells a “J” with the paddle.
Used to steer a canoe without switching sides.
Bow – The front of the boat.
Stern – The back of the boat.
Eddy – A reversed current caused by an obstacle in a river.
Finding a good eddy will allow you to sit still in a moving current.
Chute – A channel where water is funneled.

RAPID CLASSES 

Class I. -  Easy. Small waves. Few obstacles.
Class II.  -  Rapids up to three feet high.
Class III. -  Difficult rapids. High, irregular waves. Constricted passages
and blind drops. Narrow chutes.
Class IV. -  Long, turbulent rapids. High irregular waves. Constricted passages
and blind drops. Decked canoes and kayaks only.
Class V.  - Long, violent rapids. Complex routes and steep drops/waterfalls.
Hazard to life. Only consider if you’re an expert.
Class VI. - Forget about it.

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WATER TRAILS (For more river information, visit our Lakes and Rivers page.)

MINNESOTA

Big Fork River

• The Big Fork flows north to the Rainy river. Expect good fishing for walleye, northern pike and muskies. There are two waterfalls: Little American Falls (Class III-IV) and Big Falls (Class IV-VI).

Cloquet River

• Upper stretch of the Cloquet River yields red and white pine, fir, spruce, aspen and birch. The river offers a mixture of flat areas and bouldery stretches. If you’re looking to fish, expect smallmouth bass, sunfish, northern pike, walleye and channel catfish. For whitewater kayaking, head near the Island Lake Reservoir for Class III rapids (the rest of the river is Class I-II).

Kettle River

• By far one of the Kettle River’s most unique aspects is its sandstone banks. The area was once mined for sandstone and copper. At Banning State Park you can see the remnant buildings of old mining. The river also offers great whitewater kayaking (Class II-IV at Banning State Park). Expect smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and crappies if you plan on fishing.

Lake Superior

• The Lake Superior Water Trail offers some of the best sight seeing in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, it can also be the most dangerous due to the lakes low temperatures and unpredictability. Safety aside, Lake Superior has a lot to offer for canoeists kayakers alike. Take a look at these four water trail maps to plan your day trip or extended kayaking excursion. Map 1: St. Louis River to Two Harbors, Map 2: Two Harbors to Caribou River, Map 3: Caribou River to Grand Marais, Map 4: Grand Marais to Pigeon River.

Little Fork River

• Twin to the Big Fork, the Little Fork also flows north to the Rainy River. Class I-II rapids and Class VI at Hannie Falls. Expect walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, rock bass and sturgeon.

St. Louis River

• The St. Louis begins near Hoyt Lakes, MN and empties into Lake Superior. Expect walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Rapids are Class I-VI, expect lots of rapids at Jay Cooke State Park in Carlton. See the DNR’s Guide to the Lower St. Louis River (Floodwood to Duluth), and the Guide to the Upper St. Louis River (Round Lake to Floodwood).

Vermillion River

• The Vermillion River is fed by Lake Vermillion and flows to Crane Lake. There are 10 portages set up along the 40 mile route. Rapids are Class I – VI. Fish include: smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, rock bass, muskies and crappies. Most rapids are runnable for experienced paddlers but High Falls (Class VI) near Crane Lake needs to be portaged by everyone.

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WISCONSIN

Lake Superior

•  The Wisconsin segment of the Lake Superior Water Trail stretches more than 400 miles and is known as the South Shore. It is known for its sprawling sandy beaches and high cliffs. Perhaps one of the most iconic sections of the trail is the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Bayfield county. Two of the islands, Otter and Devil, feature sandstone cliffs, sea caves, vaulted chambers, arches and pillars. Sea kayaking is a popular way to experience the islands. Check out one of the following outfitters to set up your trip: Adventure Vacations, Chequagemon Adventure Company, Crawdaddy Outdoors, Geneva Kayak Center, Living Adventure, Lost Creek Adventures, Northwest Passage,  Trek and Trail, Whitecap Kayak, Wilderness Inquiry, Wisconsin River Outings.

Brule River

• Believe it or not, fishing for trophy steelhead is not the only thing the Brule has to offer. It is also a great (one of the best) rivers for kayaking and canoeing in northern Wisconsin. The river begins at the Upper St. Croix Lake and empties into Lake Superior. There are multiple landings spaced fairly evenly. From landing to landing, trips vary from 45 minutes to 5 hours and provide river conditions varying from flatter bogs to fast moving rapids and ledges. For a simple view of the landings and their relative locations, see this map. For trip details, check out the Brule River Canoe Rental’s guide.

St. Croix River and Namekagon River

•  The St. Croix and Namekagon meet near Danbury, Wisconsin. The St Croix then flows south and forms the border bewteen Minnesota and Wisconsin. Both rivers yield sunfish, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskies and more. For detailed river information, refer to the following river section maps:

Chippewa River

• The Chippewa River forms begins just south of Bayfield county where it flows south until it empies into the Mississippi River in Pepin county. It is joined by the Flambeau River in Rusk county. Fishing includes panfish, northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass and muskies. For river segment maps and rapid information, check out these Wisconsin Department of Tourism maps: Hwy D to Imalone, Bruce to the Flambeau River, Imalone to Bruce.

Flambeau River

• There are two segments of the  Flambeau River, the North Fork and South Fork. The North Fork begins at the Turtle Flambeau Flowage and the South Fork begins at Round and Pike Lakes. The river flows primarily through Sawyer, Price and Rusk county in North Central Wisconsin. There are nine dams along the river. Fish include: panfish, smallmouth bass, lake sturgeon, muskies, northern pike and more. Rapids range from Class I-IV. For directions and river segment maps, check out what PaddleFlambeau.com has put together:

North Fork

Turtle Dam to Park Falls
Park Falls to Nine Mile Creek
Nine Mile Creek to Highway W
Highway W to Hervas Camp Landing
Hervas Camp Landing to Big Falls Dam
Big Falls Dam to Ladysmith
Ladysmith to Thornapple Dam
Thornapple Dam to Chippewa River

South Fork

Round Lake to Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids to Fifield
Fifield to County Highway F
County Highway F to County Highway W
County Highway W to Hervas Camp Landing

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LAKES (For more lake information, visit our Lakes and Rivers page.)

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MN
Water accesses: North St. Louis County, Central St. Louis County, South St. Louis County.

Bear Head Lake

•  Nearest town: Tower, MN
• Map
• Species: Black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

Boulder Lake Rervoir

•  Nearest town: Duluth, MN
• Map
• Species: Black bullhead, black crappie, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

Caribou Lake

• Nearest town: Duluth, MN
• Map
• Species: Black crappie, bluegill, Largemouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch, pumpkin seed.

Fish Lake Reservoir

•  Nearest town: Duluth, MN
• Map
• Species: Black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, pumpkin seed, northern pike, rock bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

Grand Lake

• Nearest town: Twig, MN
• Map
• Species: Black bullhead, bluegill, brown bullhead, golden shiner, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

Island Lake Reservroir

•  Nearest town: Duluth, MN
• Map
• Species: Black crappie, bluegill, burbot, channel catfish, muskellunge, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, smallmouth bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

Pike Lake

•  Nearest town: Duluth, MN
• Map
• Species: Black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

Rainy Lake

• Nearest town: International Falls, MN
• Map
• Species: Black crappie, burbot, lake whitefish, northern pike, pumpkin seed, rock bass, sauger, shorthead redhorse, smallmouth bass, tullibee (cisco), walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

St. Louis Bay

•  Nearest town: Duluth, MN
• Map
• Species: Black crappie, channel catfish, freshwater drum, lake sturgeon, muskellunge, northern pike, river ruffe, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, smallmouth bass, tadpole madtom, walleye, white perch, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch.

Lake Vermillion

• Nearest town: Tower, MN
• Map
• Species: Black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, burbot, golden shiner, lake whitefish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, tullibee (cisco), walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

Whiteface Reservoir

•  Nearest town: Markham, MN
• Map
• Species: Black crappie, bluegill, burbot, northern pike, pumpkin seed, rock bass, trout-perch, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

Wild Rice Lake Reservoir

•  Nearest town: Duluth, MN
• Map
• Species: Black crappie, bluegill, golden shiner, northern pike, pumpkin seed, rock bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

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LAKE COUNTY, MN
Water accesses: North Lake County, South Lake County. 

Birch Lake

• Nearest town: Ely, MN
• Map
• Species: Bluegill, lake whitefish, largemouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, smallmouth bass, tullibee (cisco), walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

Silver Island Lake

• Nearest town: Isabella
• Map
• Species: Black crappie, golden shiner, lake whitefish, northern pike, rock bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

White Iron Lake

• Nearest town:
• Map
• Species:

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COOK COUNTY, MN
Water accesses: East Cook County, West Cook County. 

Devil Track Lake

• Nearest town: Grand Marais, MN
• Map
• Species: Lake whitefish, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

McFarland Lake

• Nearest town: Hovland, MN
• Map
• Species: Lake whitefish, northern pike, smallmouth bass, tullibee (cisco), walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

Two Island Lake

• Nearest town: Grand Marais, MN
• Map
• Species: Bluegill, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.

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Douglas County, WI

Amnicon Lake

• Nearest Town: Superior, WI
• Map
• Lake Access
• Species: Muskellunge, panfish, largemouth bass, walleye.

Lake Nebagamon

• Nearest Town: Winneboujou, WI
• Map
• Lake Access
• Species: Panfish, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, trout, walleye.

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Bayfield County, WI

Lake Owen

• Nearest town: Drummond
• Map
• Lake access
• Species: Panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye.

Lower Eau Claire Lake

• Nearest town: Drummond
• Map
• Species: Panfish, northern pike, walleye, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass.

Middle Eau Claire Lake

• Nearest town: Drummond
• Map
• Lake access
• Species: Panfish, largemouth bass, northen pike, walleye, muskellunge, smallmouth bass.

Upper Eau Claire Lake

• Nearest town: Drummond
• Map
• Lake access
• Species: Northern pike, panfish, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye.

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OUTFITTERS

Bear Track Outfitting Co.

• Location: Grand Marais, MN
• Water Systems: Lake Superior Water Trail
• Contact: (218) 387-1162

Positive Energy Outdoor (Ed)Ventures

• Location: Duluth, MN
• Water Systems: Lake Superior Water Trail
• Contact: (218) 428-5990