Hi friends,

I am hoping to get one last solo canoe-based trip in before full ice-in. I was going to head up to BWCA but with deer opener and ice already forming up there, I don't think that is the best option. So I was thinking of somewhere in WI!

Anybody know of an solo spot on a lake in Wisconsin that can be driven to via forest roads? That would allow me to bring the canoe and get some fishing and paddling in during the day, but not risk being iced in when I head out after a few days. Or maybe river camping somewhere? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated and can be kept secret. Thanks!

Here are two options:

The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage south of Mercer. Drive in on Murray's Landing Road off of Hwy 51 and spend some time in the Bonie's Mound area of the flowage. Kind of an unofficial no-motor area part of the flowage (although you won't likely see many - or any - people anyway). No fees for camping. Consider stopping at a sport shop and picking up a Fishing Hotspots map of the flowage before you go.

The other one is pretty cool, too. Check out the Bittersweet Lakes Wilderness Area off of Hwy 70 just east of Woodruff. It's a small grouping of four lakes connected by portage trails. It's located in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest so there would be some fees, but they would be modest. Only one or two campsites per lake. Again, probably unlikely that availability would be a problem.

Good luck!

Wisconsin River. Muscoda to Wyalusing. Maybe 3 nights. I did it on Veterans Day some years ago.

Smaller (or combine with Wisconsin) is Kickapoo. Not sure how far up river you can launch.

Check out milespaddled.com for reviews on all sorts of WI (and beyond) paddling trips.

Jackfish: "The other one is pretty cool, too. Check out the Bittersweet Lakes Wilderness Area off of Hwy 70 just east of Woodruff. It's a small grouping of four lakes connected by portage trails. It's located in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest so there would be some fees, but they would be modest. Only one or two campsites per lake. Again, probably unlikely that availability would be a problem."

I'll second Bittersweet. Cool spot if you can't make it to the BWCA. I've been there several nights saw people camping at the drive-in spots but not the canoe-in campgrounds. Small water too which for me would be important this time of year. Fishing was fine but nothing very big...should note I'm not the greatest fisherman but I enjoy it.

Another option would be Sawmill. More lakes, better fishing, fewer people. One of the drawbacks, however, is the only campground is the county campground at the first lake and it is a drive-in spot. I think it would be pretty lonely this time of year. The other lakes are just day-trip options but beautiful portages and each lake is very different. If you decide to go here, post a note and I'll give you a few spots to hit for fish and a few to avoid.

Stay safe and enjoy the trip!

"I'll second Bittersweet. Cool spot if you can't make it to the BWCA. I've been there several nights saw people camping at the drive-in spots but not the canoe-in campgrounds. Small water too which for me would be important this time of year. Fishing was fine but nothing very big...should note I'm not the greatest fisherman but I enjoy it."

Quick question- I am just learning about the Bittersweet area, is there a drive in solo spot there (ie not a campground but a BWCA-like site)? Definitely looking for some solitude and yes on a smaller lake, I can find the fish :)

WanderingWoodsmanMN: ""I'll second Bittersweet. Cool spot if you can't make it to the BWCA. I've been there several nights saw people camping at the drive-in spots but not the canoe-in campgrounds. Small water too which for me would be important this time of year. Fishing was fine but nothing very big...should note I'm not the greatest fisherman but I enjoy it."

Quick question- I am just learning about the Bittersweet area, is there a drive in solo spot there (ie not a campground but a BWCA-like site)? Definitely looking for some solitude and yes on a smaller lake, I can find the fish :) "

Hi Wandering Woodsman,

There is not a campground at Bittersweet but several of the paddle-in sites do have picnic tables. If I remember correctly, you can drive to one campsite on the west side of Bittersweet Lake without too much trouble. I slept in the back of my truck at the little parking spot at the start of the portage to Prong Lake - I think that's the first lake just off the main road. There are some ATV trails through the backwoods on the west sides of the lakes but when I've been there I didn't see anyone using them.

Another one I thought of...Lost Canoe Lake State Natural Area...about 20 minutes or so north of Bittersweet. There are a few campsites on Nebish Lake. You need to check in at Escanaba Lake as they count the fish people catch for research. Three or four little lakes right there that have no development. I paddled and fished those for a handful of days and rarely saw anyone else on the water. Lost Canoe Lake has a few private cabins as part of the lake is outside of the SNA but otherwise a quiet area.

Willow Flowage is an option. Been there a few times and enjoyed it.

Google "northern highlands American legion canoe routes"

Jackfish: "

billconner: "Wisconsin River. Muscles to Wyalusing."

Bill, do you mean "Muscoda to Wyalusing"?"

Pile of rain little over week ago in SW Wisconsin. Pretty sure those rivers are running high.

YetiJedi: "Another option would be Sawmill. More lakes, better fishing, fewer people."

Yeti,
Are you saying that there are no BW-type campsites on the individual lakes? Just the main campground is available? I've had the Sawmill and Loyhead lakes area on my list of possible long weekend getaway spots, but haven't gotten there yet. I'm not as interested if I'd have to camp in the main campground and do day trips. I'd rather camp in a campsite on one of the other lakes.

Looks like great options here! Do any of these areas have "car camping" options that are not campgrounds? Willing to drive anywhere and on any kind of forest roads. It would be ideal to have a car camping individual site (like the BWCA) to find some solitude on a lake where I could bring the canoe and fish and do day trips. I think that would be a safer option this time of year.

Some of these canoe routes and areas are definitely getting on my list for next paddling season though! Thanks for all the great input.

Jackfish: "

YetiJedi: "Another option would be Sawmill. More lakes, better fishing, fewer people."

Yeti,
Are you saying that there are no BW-type campsites on the individual lakes? Just the main campground is available? I've had the Sawmill and Loyhead lakes area on my list of possible long weekend getaway spots, but haven't gotten there yet. I'm not as interested if I'd have to camp in the main campground and do day trips. I'd rather camp in a campsite on one of the other lakes."

Hi Jackfish,

We found evidence of dispersed camping sites and I assume they are unauthorized but I have no idea if they are against any rules or not. Looking online I cannot find anything that references formal campsites on any of the lakes either. I have not visited the Loyhead lakes...yet. :)

Wi National Forest do not allow dispersed camping like other National Forest do in other states. I camped in the Northern Highlands at a regular campground at Firefly lake two weeks ago on my way home from the BWCA and I had the entire campground to myself and my campsite was right on the edge of the lake. It may be closed for the season as of now but Crystal lake right down the Rd has year round camping. And many campsites are at waters edge. I've hot tented there in the past.

Boundary Boy: "Wi National Forest do not allow dispersed camping like other National Forest do in other states..."

I find about 10 or 12 regulations regarding dispersed camping in the Chequamagon-Nicolet NF. But nothing about not allowed.

I was having trouble finding info about dispersed camping so I asked Google and the response I got was no. Next time I'm up in the area I will stop at a ranger station and ask.

bobbernumber3: "

Boundary Boy: "Wi National Forest do not allow dispersed camping like other National Forest do in other states..."

I find about 10 or 12 regulations regarding dispersed camping in the Chequamegon-Nicolet NF. But nothing about not allowed. "

I stand corrected, I checked their website and they do allow dispersed camping. So Google does not know all!

Boundary Boy: "I stand corrected, I checked their website and they do allow dispersed camping. So Google does not know all!"

Seemed odd that one state would be different regarding National Forest usage.

YetiJedi: "

Jackfish: "

YetiJedi: "Another option would be Sawmill. More lakes, better fishing, fewer people."

Yeti,
Are you saying that there are no BW-type campsites on the individual lakes? Just the main campground is available? I've had the Sawmill and Loyhead lakes area on my list of possible long weekend getaway spots, but haven't gotten there yet. I'm not as interested if I'd have to camp in the main campground and do day trips. I'd rather camp in a campsite on one of the other lakes."

Hi Jackfish,

We found evidence of dispersed camping sites and I assume they are unauthorized but I have no idea if they are against any rules or not. Looking online I cannot find anything that references formal campsites on any of the lakes either. I have not visited the Loyhead lakes...yet. :)"

I've paddled and camped this area and also did see some evidence of dispersed camping on Mallard Lake. I believe most of the lakes (there are 16 between Loyhead and Sawmill) are within the Washburn County forest system. I believe dispersed camping is allowed throughout the county forest (per their website)... "Camping on the County Forest is allowed with the prior permission of the Forest Administrator and with a tent or lesser facility.

Camping during the nine-day gun deer season is allowed with larger facilities within 200 feet of a town road or County Forest Road. A dispersed camping permit is required. Camping reservations and dispersed camping permits are available at www.washburncountyparks.us"

YetiJedi: "

Jackfish: "

YetiJedi: "Another option would be Sawmill. More lakes, better fishing, fewer people."

Yeti,
Are you saying that there are no BW-type campsites on the individual lakes? Just the main campground is available? I've had the Sawmill and Loyhead lakes area on my list of possible long weekend getaway spots, but haven't gotten there yet. I'm not as interested if I'd have to camp in the main campground and do day trips. I'd rather camp in a campsite on one of the other lakes."

Hi Jackfish,


We found evidence of dispersed camping sites and I assume they are unauthorized but I have no idea if they are against any rules or not. Looking online I cannot find anything that references formal campsites on any of the lakes either. I have not visited the Loyhead lakes...yet. :)
"

Thanks for the folks who clarified the rules. I miswrote that sentence...I intended to say, "I assume they are authorized but I have no idea if they are against the rules or not." Appreciate the clarification.

Think we saw at least one on Mallard, two on Beartrap, one on the island on Deep (most of the island was lightly burned so perhaps a campfire went awry), and one on a trail between Sawmill and Otter.

Check out Perch Lake Campground North of Drummond. Nat'nl Forest with lots of little lakes around to paddle.

h20: "Check out Perch Lake Campground North of Drummond. National Forest with lots of little lakes around to paddle."

Oh, this is a new one for me!!! Thanks for the tip!

Also close access to the North Country Trail.