East Fork Cranberry River

East Fork Cranberry River is classified a Class 1 trout stream by WDNR. This means that it is considered a high quality trout waters that have sufficient natural reproduction to sustain populations of wild trout, at or near carry capacity. Consequently, streams in this category require no stocking of hatchery trout. These streams or stream sections are often small and may contain small or slow-growing trout, especially in the headwaters.

East Fork Flag River Overview

The East Fork Cranberry River is the major tributary to the Cranberry River and accounts for the majority of the flow in the Cranberry River. This entire stream is considered Class I trout waters and supports migratory trout runs from Lake Superior. This stream drains relatively wild land and the stream bed is primarily sand and gravel and boulders.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, four rare species of macroinvertebrates were found and overall taxa richness was high (25 or more species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted significant turbidity in the stream, with significant bank erosion present as well as impacts from impoundment. To a lesser extent, potential pollutant sources include livestock operations, barnyards, cropland and failing septic system. Present at survey sites were aquatic plants and filamentous algae.

Wisconsin Trout Streams incorrectly refers to a major tributary to the East Fork as T50N R7W S25. It actually enters the East Fork in Section 28. Because of this, the stream is also incorrectly identified in the NR102 list of outstanding and exceptional waters. This sand and gravel-bottomed tributary is popular with migratory trout for spawning. The majority of the streambank vegetation is tag alder. Abundant in-stream cover occurs in the form of rocks, logs, deep pools and undercut banks.

The water marked for higher production is located south of Herbster by following Lenawee Rd. When you run into Cranberry Rd you can take a right or continue on Lenawee to reach various sections. Check access maps.

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