Bois Brule River
About
From its headwaters to Lake Superior, the Bois Brule cuts 44 miles through Douglas County's Brule River State Forest, shifting character from wild trout water to steelhead runs as it approaches the big lake. The upper reaches above Stones Bridge hold Class I water and wild brook and brown trout in a Wisconsin Class A Wild Trout Stream designation. Through the middle section from Big Lake to Winneboujou, Class I-II water opens up prime fly fishing territory, while the lower Brule from Copper Range to Lake Superior steps up to Class II-III rapids that steelhead push through on their spawning runs. At 160 CFS average with an optimal range of 100-500, the Brule responds well to spring snowmelt and fall rains when the steelhead are most active. President Coolidge established his Summer White House along these banks in 1928, fishing the same pools that draw anglers today. Brule River Classics outfits trips along the 44-mile corridor, with USGS gauge 04025500 tracking flows for both paddlers and steelhead fishermen timing their arrival.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.