Paddle

Paddle Canoe, Kayak, SUP

Paddling opportunities include something for everyone with the Bear River's tranquil water and unspoiled wilderness, multiple put-in and take-out possibilities on the Turtle River, lake paddling on the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage, and challenging rapids on the North Fork of the Flambeau River.

Join the Mercer's Loony Paddlers or the Mixed Social Paddlers for weekly excursions on area lakes and rivers during the summer. Visit IronCountyOutdoors.org for information and schedules.

Looking for excellent canoeing and kayaking areas off the beaten path? Iron County is where you'll find them, wrapped in the color palette of the season. Whether you are a novice or looking for an "extreme" experience the Mercer area has what you've been looking for.

TFF-Summer-AerialCover-0006

Visitors to the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage come to enjoy the peace, quiet, and wilderness surroundings. The Flowage has an abundance of stumps, logs, floating "drift wood," and rock bars that are great for fish and wildlife habitat. Caution is advised while water skiing, tubing and using personal watercraft on the Flowage. Pontoon boat touring is an ideal way to explore the area and pontoon boats are available for rent from.

Canoeing and kayaking opportunities abound. Paddling on the Flowage is a flat-water experience. A voluntary quiet area has been established on approximately the eastern 1/5 of the Flowage. The quiet area boundaries run from the narrows near Blair Lake upstream to the property boundary which is near the confluence of the Bear and Manitowish Rivers. The purpose of this designation is to promote an atmosphere of quiet solitude for those seeking a "wilderness" type experience.

To experience more of a thrill while paddling, try the Flambeau, Turtle, Manitowish or Bear Rivers which have a current and whitewater adventure. Area outfitters provide services for paddling, rafting and tubing.

Popular Paddling Routes

Manitowish River: Hwy 51 to Murray's Landing
Distance: 20 miles
Rating: Novice


Bear River: Flambeau Lake to Murray's Landing
Distance: 25 miles
Rating: Novice


Turtle River: North Turtle Lake to Lake of the Falls
Distance: 27 miles
Rating: Intermediate


Turtle Flowage: Manitowish Route & Turtle Route
Distance: Lake Paddling


Flambeau River: North Fork Turtle Dam to Park Falls Landing
Distance: 18 miles
Rating: Intermediate-Expert


Montreal River: West Branch
Distance: 18 miles
Rating: Expert