Onion River

Onion 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.

Onion River Overview

The Onion River is a high-quality, spring-fed trout stream that flows into Lake Superior at a small coastal estuary connected to the Sioux River wetland complex. Wetlands fringe the lower reaches of the river, an area primarily privately owned. This stream supports a Class I trout fishery and is classified as an outstanding resource water. A number of spawning trout and salmon species use the river, including brook, brown and rainbow trout, and pink and coho salmon. The Lake Superior Binational Program has identified this river and its estuary as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem for coastal wetlands, vital functions for planning objectives, and fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds. The Bayfield County 10-year Forest Management Plan places about half of the watershed, about 1,840 acres, in a Awild area@ category, thereby making the primary management concern that of maintaining the river’s water quality (Swanson). The plan identifies the risk of excessive timber harvest and road development in erodible soils causing degradation of stream habitat as the primary reason for protecting the area (Fenner).

Surface Waters of Bayfield County indicates that two feeder streams to the Onion River are trout waters. One is discussed below, the other collects a number of small feeders before entering the Onion River from the west at T49N R4W S06. This latter stream, which the document describes as providing the bulk of the Onion River’s flow at this point, is not listed as a trout stream in Wisconsin Trout Streams. NR102 indicates all Class I tributaries to the Onion River should be considered outstanding resource waters. Both of the sources of information for the Onion River tributaries are outdated.

The water marked for higher production is located South of Bayfield and West of 13. South of Bayfield/North of Washburn take McCulloch Rd off of Hwy 13 (where Soulfire Pottery is located). 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.