Who’s our eyes in the northwoods that can give us a sitrep?

Thinking about canoe camping Turtle Flambeau next week.  

Assume since the mild winter lake is totally open?  Lake level?  Trees sprouting leaves yet and have the bugs emerged?

Forecast temps show about a low of 40 and high of 60.  May roll the dice and leave the ‘no bug zone’ at home and just bring a tarp.

I'm about 70 miles south & east of it (near Eagle River). I follow (on farcebook) a resort on the flowage that is next to one family friends owned in the 70-80-90s, which is now a private residence. Water level is down about 3'-4' as of a few days ago. Trees are just starting to grow buds, no "green" yet. Have not seen any bugs yet either. But I'm not on the water... so it might be different where you're canoeing.

If you are on farcebook, search "Donners Bay". They have pictures of water level.

I’m not on Facebook

3-4 ft low sounds pretty significant.  The stumps in the quiet zone area are probably sticking well out of the water.  Was planning to camp on Blair Lake and I imagine with water that low it’s probably cut off from the rest of the lake.

It's been 3 decades since I was on the flowage when it wasn't frozen, so I don't recall how that level effects different areas. I do know it's been a lot lower than it is now.

I'm more familiar with the Rainbow Flowage, which is also 3' below full currently. Last fall's duck season it was 11' below full. Now that was significant, and 3' is nothing there.



We hunted on the lake bottom last fall, with a portable blind set up on a mud flat that's normally 8-12' under water. For all intents & purposes, it was ideal for us. We were right out in the middle, water 360 degrees around us, lots of natural food on the lake bottom exposed for migrators, and not many assholes in fishing boats to deal with.

As for water levels... it rained last friday. Again on Saturday. Heavy rain on Sunday, and more rain coming today and tomorrow. Weather service even advised about rising river levels, this morning. So I'm thinking that the "3' below full" will be disappearing soon.  

@JimEB

I prefer that water in the quiet section a little low.

Seems to keep that quarter of the lake, well..........quiet.

Manitowish is flowing nicely out of Boulder Lake
Trout river flowing nicely under Hwy 51 as was Gresham creek


This youngster was dancing in the back yard about an hour ago

Attached File

Attached File


There's an empty bird feeder over his head

@rfb45colt

3rd one we've had in the back yard in two weeks...neighbor says there's a large male hanging round the neighborhood
haven't had him in yet...
You were right they are all cabin bears at heart...and boy are they hungry this spring.
Lack of harsh winter and little winter kill I suspect...

We are getting more rain tonight and this week...shouldn't be any shortage of water plus warm temps.
Was in a nearby lake today and the water sure is warm for this time of year.