Saxine Creek

Saxine Creek 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.

Saxine Creek Overview

This small spring-fed stream empties into Squaw Bay on Lake Superior. From the mouth of Saxine Creek to the east is the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. This stream is considered an exceptional resource water for its Class I brook and rainbow trout fishery. It also supports migratory runs of fish from Lake Superior. This is primarily a nursery for rainbow trout, with the young living in the stream for two years before migrating to the lake to mature, then return to spawn. The stream bottom is mostly sand, with occasional gravel areas used for spawning. Vegetation is primarily upland hardwood. The mouth of this stream is considered important Lake Superior habitat for coastal wetlands.

Wisconsin Trout Streams identifies a Class III trout stream as entering Saxine Creek in Section 30. This is inaccurate. A Class III brook and rainbow trout stream flows from Section 31, through 30, and enters Saxine Creek in Section 19. This stream is a high-gradient spring creek with a number of feeders. Trout habitat is poor due to the shifting-sand bottom and limited food sources. The stream flows primarily through upland hardwoods.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, four rare species of macroinvertebrates were found in Saxine Creek and overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted potential problems due to low flows.

The water marked for higher production is located north and south of 13 and just East of Cornucopia. Hwy 13 crosses where you want to travel north or south. Check access maps.

All content the property of WDNR

IMPORTANT NOTE: Great Lakes Drive, affiliates, and site resources are not responsible for any incidents attributed to the use of this information. All information provided on this site should be considered a simple bit of information that informs the average individual on activities or available lodging that others have participated in, and in many cases warns them of dangerous aspects of a location, and should not be considered a promotion for taking part in the activity or a recommendation to use, stay, or support. Some of these pages represent extremely dangerous activities and should not be considered by individuals and families as normal activities. Many of the links provide information contributed by professionals or adrenaline junkies and are meant only as interesting points. Other information would probably never be heard about and represents wonderful historic facts and fiction about places that have disappeared. All activities from driving a car to entering the water can be hazardous and should be taken on at your own risk. Take responsibility for your actions and be very careful when exploring this wonderful fast land that is available to us all. Ads on the site may be from awesome companies but for legal reasons they do not necessarily represent the beliefs or receive the support of GreatLakesDrive.com. By reading the information on a page, and/or clicking on any of the links, you agree to take full responsibility in the result. Drive Safely! Stay on the path if you are concerned about the results of stepping off the edge. Discover a wonderful place right in your own backyard! You will never forget it.