The Turtle Flambeau Flowage has been my home away from home for over 30 years. Spending all 4 seasons through the years fishing, camping and snowmobiling the flowage and iron county area. I gave up snowmobiling in 1987 and dedicated all my time to fishing and camping this beautiful body of water which is nearly 19000 acres. It has literally hundreds of islands and bays that hold good numbers of muskie, northern, walleye, small-mouth bass, perch, crappie and even some monster blue gills. Wildlife is abundant along the shorelines with deer, bear, wolves, and even moose. In the sky and on the water you will see all types of water fowl including loons, osprey and bald eagles. Below are some pictures of the flowage and the fish that can be caught on the fourth largest inland body of water in the state of Wisconsin.
The Flowage map above shows just how big this body of water is. From the bottom which is known as the Beaver creek area to the top which is lake of the falls is a distance of 9 miles. The big island located at the left upper area of the map is three miles long!! There are depths of 50 feet although much of the flowage is much shallower. The back dots show designated camping areas. This is a wilderness area with no buoys or navigation routes marked. Changing water levels throughout the seasons can make for hazardous boating and caution must be taken as there are stump fields that can be hit in 20 foot of water!!! Although this would seem very difficult to navigate, many years of experience has given me an edge to get to areas that many others never fish. If your looking for the perfect getaway with little or no boat traffic, water skiers or jet ski's, then this is your next adventure.
This is the beginning of the Turtle Flowage. This picture of Lake of the Falls was taken in the fall of the year when water levels are low. During normal water levels, most of these rocks are what you would call white water rapids. This area also provides great spring time walleye action.
The picture above and below are from the southern end of the flowage and also show fall water levels which are about 2-3 foot lower than summer level. Boating can be dangerous for those who refuse to slow down. Stumps and rock bars are virtually everywhere throughout the flowage and can be very hazardous for those who refuse to use caution when navigating these waters. Most islands have rock points and stumps nearby and provide great walleye and small-mouth action throughout the seasons.
Only the Northern parts of the flowage are privately owned with cabins and businesses dotting the shorelines. The rest of the shoreline is vacant land owned by the state of Wisconsin where over 60 designated campsites are available on a first come first serve basis. These campsites are well kept and clean thanks to the folks that return year after year and great management by the WDNR . All have fire pits, toilets, level ground for large tents and some have picnic tables. Most are located on sandy shorelines so boats can be beached without damage. As you can see from the sandy beach below, taking a cool swim when camping can be refreshing after a long day on the water.
Another picture of the flowage looking north. From this location, your nearest resort is 6 miles north from this campsite. It is not uncommon to fish the whole day and never see another boat in your area. There are endless bays and islands to explore and fish. If you choose to camp and take advantage of our guide service, we will take you to your campsite so you can set up camp, then return in the morning and head out for a day on the water. Supplies can also be brought to you as we have radio communication available for convenience. Within a couple of days, you'll be comfortable in traveling to and from your favorite spots or to the resort.
Although the flowage can become very rough in bad weather, there is always areas that can be fished without fighting the heavy wind and waves. Once you pass through the big waters, you can always find calm waters and plenty of fish. Don't forget your camera as many animals and wildlife are happy to pose for a picture or two. The DNR does not allow the cutting of trees for firewood. they also request that driftwood is not used for fires. Most campsites have plenty of downed trees and branches to ensure a good campfire. There is also firewood sold at many of the resorts and businesses when entering the area.
This bald eagle watched us for about a half hour while we fished the nearby shoreline. I think he was keeping an eye on our spinner baits as we retrieved them. Before we left, we saw him swoop down and take his dinner for the day which appeared to be a small bass or perch. You will wake up in the morning by the sounds of loons on the water. It's like having a natural alarm clock.
The TFF is a true wilderness area where one can enjoy nature and fishing at its best. Below are some fish caught in 2004 and 2005 during our stay on the best kept secret in Wisconsin.
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Some days are better than others but there is rarely a day when fish are not caught. You'll want to bring your lunch and beverage with you because once you hit this body of water, the last thing on your mind is returning to your camp or resort for anything!!! You'll spend countless hours fishing and gazing at the shoreline beauty and wildlife. The spinner boat is fully equipped with GPS and night equipment for those who choose to take advantage of the nite bite which can be fierce on the flowage. Through the year, some of the biggest fish are taken as the sun dips behind the trees and daylight comes to an end. Do walleye get hungry at night time??? ..... YOU BET THEY DO!!!!
The Spinner boat will be available for guiding on the TFF in June and September 2008. Please contact JD by email, phone or check for Available Dates then go to Guide Inquiry on this site to get further information. You can visit the link below for local Flowage information.
WWW.TURTLEFLAMBEAUFLOWAGE.COM
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