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Welcome Canoe Routes On & Off the River T he Black River starts as a small stream flowing out For specific information on paddling routes please Fishing of Black Lake in northern Taylor County. It flows for open this brochure to the center map. Warm water rivers like the Black River tend to have nearly 200 miles before emptying into the Mississippi a diverse fish community. Over 20 species of fish River near La Crosse, Wisconsin. East Fork of the Black River inhabit the Black River including the following This part of the river is scenic but rocky with rapid game fish: The Black River flows flowing water. Canoeing is not recommended • Walleye through land with sandy, during low water periods usually found in mid to • Smallmouth Bass shallow soils and many late summer. Campers are required to register at • Northern Pike wetlands. As the water the East Fork State Campground. • Muskellunge
filters through the wetlands, • Catfish organic acids leach out of Lake Arbutus to Black River Falls decaying wetland plants and The upper stretch of this section has rapid flowing The river also contains other organic material, water with Class II and III rapids and some granite non-game species such causing the black coloration boulders, the lower section is scenic with Class I as Common Carp, White Sucker, Longnose and of the river. The stained rapids. Shortnose Gar, and Quillback Carpsuckers. water isn’t harmful, and Panfish do not prefer flowing water so species like actually limits the growth of Black River Falls to North Bend Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Pumpkinseeds are noxious algae blooms or South of Black River Falls, the river is slower and found mostly in impounded areas like the Black Black River Watershed nuisance plants that can wider with many sandbars and Class I rapids. River Flowage and Lake Arbutus. interfere with recreational activities. Follow these general guidelines: For information on fishing season and limits look for signs at the • No gates to one gate open at the Black landing, or contact the Wisconsin DNR. Stewardship River Falls Dam = Safe Stewardship is defined as “the careful and • Two gates open = Average/better skill For Your Safety: responsible management of something entrusted to required • Bring: one’s care”. You can be a good steward when using • Three or more gates open = Canoeing • A wearable personal floatation device the river by: not recommended due to debris (life jacket) for each person (It’s the • Always taking a trash bag with you. law!). * Flows are approximately 4,500 cfs per gate. • Carrying out everything you carry in! • Sun protection • First aid kit • Picking up trash other river users have Flows • Snacks and drinking water carelessly left behind. The sandy and shallow soils and large watershed • Shoes to wear in the river • Leaving the river cleaner than you found it! of the Black River contribute to the large • Learning about local burning fluctuations in its flows. Depending on • A wet/dry suit when kayaking in regulations for camp fires and precipitation, flows may exceed 20,000 cubic feet coldwater temperatures minimizing their impacts per second (cfs) while low flow conditions in drier • Tell someone your plans • Packing in your own local firewood. months (August) may be less then 100 cfs. • Pay attention to hazardous weather and the • Observing wildlife from a distance, and Recreational canoeists enjoy traveling on the river river conditions (snags, overhangs, rocks) respecting their habitat. with flows from 200-3,000 cfs. • Boil all river water and use approved tablets or • Controlling pets at all times, or leaving filters before drinking them at home. Real-time flows are available on line by visiting: • Being a good neighbor—don’t http://waterdata.usgs.gov. trespass. The law has changed—sandbars in the river where it flows through private Black River flow at Hatfield available at property are private property! 1-888-493-7694 (HYDRO WI) updated 10 am.
Lower Lake Beach Black River Landings #1-10 Miles (approx.) (Off Cty. K, Old K & Beach Rd.) LAKE ARBUTUS BLACK RIVER Merrillan STATE FOREST Dam-1 (West Hatfield Dam to Hatfield Powerhouse) ...... 4 miles (1 hr.) EAST FORK EAST FORK CLARK CO. CAMPGROUND CAMPGROUND
1-2 (Powerhouse to Halls Creek Landing) ...... 4 miles (1 hr.) JACKSON CO. BLACK RIVER W. ARBUTUS CAMPGROUND 2-3 (Halls Creek to Black River Falls - exit above dam (Holmgreen Landing) ...... 6 miles (2-3 hr.) Powerhouse Rd. Dam E Fork E Fork Rd & Landing 4-5 (South 3rd St. [Cormican Landing] to Perry Creek State Park) ...... 2 miles (1/2-1 hr.) JACKSON CO. E. Clay School Rd HALLS E. ARBUTUS Overguard Rd. CAMPGROUND
5-6 (Perry Creek Park to Mason’s Landing) ...... 1.5 miles (1/2-1 hr.) CREEK Campground Rd
6-7 (Mason’s Landing to State Forest Canoe campsite near Hawk Island) ...... 1 mile (1/2 hr.) Paddy’s Rest Old Hwy. 54 Unimproved 7-8 (State Forest Canoe Campsite near Hawk Island to the river access Pray
Garage _ Road Old Hwy. 54 David Hansen Memorial Landing at Irving) ...... 6.5 miles (2-3 hr.) Morrison Old Hwy. 54 Private Creek 8-9 (Irving to Melrose Hwy 108 Bridge) ...... 12 miles (3-4 hr.) Waterbury Rd unimproved Pray Rd Pray Rd 9-10 (Melrose Hwy 108 Bridge to North Bend HWY VV) ...... 12 miles (3-4 hr.) creek access Steponik Rd
Black Morrison Rd S. Cemetery unimproved Eau River river access Lake Arbutus to Black River Falls (off Mission Rd. & ClaIre Put in at the foot of the West Hatfield Dam near junction of Cty. E and K. From the dam to Pettibone Pass) City Point
Powerhouse is a 4 mile paddle with two class III rapids and many class II rapids. The Hatfield power Hoffman Landing (Off Levis Cr. Rd. canal makes a quiet flat water paddle from the railroad trestle into several wooded backwaters. & Paulley Rd.) It is a 4 mile run with two class III rapids from Powerhouse to the Halls Creek Landing. After this the Black river has only a few class I rapids. Black River East Fork of the Black River
Falls Landings A-D Miles (approx.) Black River Falls to North Bend Z-A (Steponik Road to Pray Road) (Beware of low snowmobile bridge) 4 miles Put in at the South 3rd Street (Cormican) Landing in Black River Falls. It is a short 2-mile stretch to A-B (Pray Road Access to Overguard Road) 6.5 miles Perry Creek Park and 1.5 miles further is Mason’s State Landing. SQUAW B-C (Overguard Road to East Fork Road ) 1.5 miles BLACK RIVER CREEK STATE FOREST C-D (East Fork Road to East Fork Campground) 2 miles The State Forest Canoe Campsite on Hawk Island is just 1 mile downstream opposite bank from CASTLE MOUND CAMPGROUND D-Dam (East Fork Campground to Hatfield Dam) 1.5 miles Mason’s Landing. Camping at this site is free of charge but campers are limited to a one-night Perry Creek Rd This part of the river is scenic but rocky with rapid flowing water. Canoe- stay. From the State Forest Canoe Campsite downstream, it is 6.5 miles to the David Hansen Memorial PERRY ing is not recommended during low water periods usually found in Landing at Irving. From Irving it is 12 miles to the Highway 108 Bridge in Melrose. CREEK Hawk mid to late summer. Canoeing from the Pray Road access to Old Hwy. 54 Island Rd Overguard Road access is 6.5 miles with Class I rapids and Lastly, the flat water canoe trip from Melrose to North Bend is 12 miles. Primitive Co. Landing mostly wooded, wild country. There are Class III rapids 1-2 On Black River Dodge Rd. (Off Hawk Island Rd.) Paquette Rd. miles upstream from Pray Road. Overguard Road to East Creeking Hwy. X Fall Old I Fork Road is only 1.5 miles with some Class II and III Hall Some of the feeder streams running into the Black River are an excellent Nichols rapids depending on water levels. East Fork Road David Rd. paddling option. Always be aware of down trees which can trap and Partridge Rd. Millston to East Fork Campground is 2 miles with some Hansen ROBINSON Hwy O pin you and your boat. Creek Flows can be very low and scrapey if no recent rain. Memorial CREEK Class II rapids. Canoeing from Pray Road to Landing ROARING ● Kelly Rd. the East Fork Campground takes Morrison Creek –Cemetery Road to County K will take about 1½ hours. CREEK @ Irving 8 8 Creek Landing Rapids Classification (Off Robinson approximately 7 hours. Canoeists It is considered Class II, with one Class III near Oxbow State Park. ● & W. Pine Hill Rds.) Class I – Easy. Smooth water, light riffles; interested in camping at the end County K to the Black River is approximately 2 hours. Lost Falls clear passages, occasional sand banks and of their trip are required to Private gentle curves Halls Creek – Lower lake to Garage Road, Class I-II takes 1½-2 hrs. Grinde (Schroeder) Campground register at the East Fork State River access with river access From Garage Road Bridge to the landing on the Black River takes DOUGLAS Class II – Moderate. Medium-quick water; rapids with or East Arbutus campgrounds. (River Rd.) (Sunnyvale Rd.) 2-3 hours to paddle through beautiful walled canyons with CREEK regular waves; clear and open passages between rocks Class II-III rapids. and ledges. Maneuvering required. Best handled by inter- mediates who can maneuver canoes and read water. Melrose = Public Access Robinson Creek – Beautiful, mostly Class I-II, Madison with large pines. Class II-III rapids below Class III – Moderately difficult. Numerous high and irregular Dodge Road. Portage 6 ft. Polly Falls, it is waves; rocks and eddies with passages clear but narrow and = Public Campground North one-third of the way between Dodge Rd. & Bend requiring experience to run. Visual inspection required if rapids are Hwy. 27. Several Class III ledges in the 9 unknown. Open canoes without flotation bags will have difficulty. gorge just past Fall Hall Road. Riverview 0 5 10 Miles Inn HWY 71 Rev. 8/10
HWY VV