Siskiwit River
Siskiwit River
Cornucopia, Wisconsin
Part of the Siskiwit 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.
Siskiwit River Overview
The Siskiwit River originates in Siskiwit Lake and flows through Little Siskiwit Lake, before emptying into Siskiwit Bay on Lake Superior. From the outlet of Siskiwit Lake downstream to Siskiwit Springs in T50N R6W S24, the water quality is characterized by high temperatures, acid pH and dark brown color. This river reach supports primarily forage species. From the springs, water quality improves and allows trout survival. For the five-mile stretch from the springs to Siskiwit Falls, the river is classified as Class I trout water for brook, brown and rainbow trout. This segment of river is also considered an exceptional resource water. Below the falls to the mouth, the stream is Class II trout water because of its lack of gravel spawning areas. Rainbow and brown trout, and chinook and coho salmon migrate from the lake to spawn. The river also supports spawning northern pike, bullheads, suckers and spottail shiners.
At the mouth of the river, Cornucopia Harbor provides a mooring and docking area for commercial and sport fishing operations and private recreation. A pier juts out from the mouth, forming a sheltered beach area. Sediment sampling in the harbor since the last update of this plan did not indicate contaminants at levels higher than background typical of the region.
Siskiwit Bay is bounded by Squaw Point to the east and Roman Point to the west. The bay is a spawning area for lake whitefish. Shorebirds use the sand beaches of the bay. The mouth of the river, the bay shoreline and Roman Point are in private ownership. Upstream areas of the Siskiwit River are in county forest and private ownership. The Lake Superior Binational Program identified Siskiwit Bay and the river as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem for fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds.
Past water quality sampling by the University of Wisconsin – Superior, indicated fecal coliform counts were elevated. This was prior to the construction of the new Bell Sanitary District Wastewater Treatment Plant.
A tributary to Siskiwit Bay entering the lake at T51N R6W S34 has been designated an exceptional resource water. This stream is listed as a Class I trout stream for brook trout in Wisconsin Trout Streams. We have little other information for this stream.
The water marked for higher production is located south of 13 and just East of Cornucopia. Follow C out of Cornucopia until Siskwit Falls Rd. Turn left (East) and then Turn South on Stage Rd. Stage Rd is the closest access road to the Class 1 Section. Check access maps.
Specific Map
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Wisconsin Trout Stream Maps
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