Pikes Creek

Pikes 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.

Pikes Creek Overview

This medium-sized Class I trout stream is an outstanding resource water for its entire length. The stream drains about 30 square miles, dropping some 400 feet before entering Lake Superior. This results in massive erosion problems with historic cases of devastating flash floods. Streambank improvements performed by the Bureau of Fisheries Management have helped enhance spawning habitat for migratory trout and salmon species including rainbow trout, coho and chinook salmon. This stream supports a population of brook, brown and rainbow trout and trout and salmon species from Lake Superior migrate upstream to spawn. The stream’s major tributary is North Pikes Creek, but the majority of Pikes Creek baseflow comes from bank springs. WDNR’s Bayfield Fish Hatchery discharges well and lake water from the hatchery into Pikes Creek via a small tributary.

Most of the Pikes Creek watershed is upland forest that may periodically be subjected to clearcutting and logging traffic. Some reaches drain heavy red clay soils, while the rest of the stream drains sandy loam soils. Some areas of the watershed are managed as apple orchards. Where Pikes Creek enters Lake Superior, a wetland community supports both emergent and submergent aquatic plants. Offshore in Chequamegon Bay, a large open-water submergent aquatic plant community exists. The area also has sheltered vegetated sand and mud flats. The stream and its estuary provide nesting areas for waterfowl and are used by migratory birds. Lake Superior Village is a marina operating just north of the mouth of Pikes Creek in an area of sheltered flats and vegetation. Both state and private ownership exist along Pikes Creek, but the stream flows through a corridor of land that is largely state owned. This stream is part of the South Shore Fish and Wildlife Area, where there is a state acquisition goal of 1,128 acres.

The mouths of Pikes Creek and Pikes Creek Slough have been identified by the Lake Superior Binational Program as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem for coastal wetlands, vital functions for planning objectives, fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, one rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). Significant bank erosion, point sources and silt affect habitat quality in the stream and impoundment may pose a threat (Epstein 1997).

The water marked for higher production is located West of Bayfield and 13. South of Bayfield take S. Co. Rd J or Hatchery Rd. to Star Rte Rd heading West. The Creek is south of Star Rte Rd. Check access maps.

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