Sioux River
Sioux River
Washburn, Wisconsin
The beginning of the Sioux 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.
Sioux River Overview
This high quality trout water arises from springs near the Chequamegon National Forest and flows some 17 miles to empty into Lake Superior in the Sioux River Slough north of Washburn. The entire river is an outstanding resource water and several high quality trout streams are tributary to it. The river is a Class II trout fishery for roughly half of its length, and a Class I fishery from County Highway C west. Runs of rainbow and brown trout and coho salmon occur and brook and brown trout are resident in the stream. Past water quality evaluations indicated clear and cool waters upstream, with downstream areas carrying a light load of suspended clay particles. The river and its wetlands provide excellent habitat for nesting and migratory waterfowl and furbearers. One interesting feature of this river is Big Rock Hole, where a deep hole has been delved below a wide flat layer of bedrock. During low flow, this steep layer of bedrock above Big Rock Hole can be a temporary obstacle to migratory trout. Bayfield County maintains a wayside park with camping facilities at Big Rock. WDNR has, through permanent easements, set up public fishing grounds along about three-quarters of a mile of the Sioux River. The Sioux River falls within the South Shore Fish and Wildlife Area. The mouth and estuary are in state ownership, while the river flows through a combination of state and privately held lands. The watershed supports agriculture and forestry among its activities.
The Sioux River enters Lake Superior through extensive wetlands. The area also has a beach and sandstone cliffs that support unique plants. The wetland estuary complex also features a shoreline bog. The estuary connects with that of the Onion River to the north. The Lake Superior Binational Program identified this area as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem for coastal wetlands, rare communities, vital functions for planning objectives and fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds.
The exotic purple loosestrife, an escaped garden perennial, has been a problem in the sloughs at the mouth of the river. Loosestrife can alter the natural wetland water flow and vegetation that wildlife rely on. WDNR Fisheries Management applied a pesticide that was fairly successful. Due to staff and funding shortages, additional WDNR work is not anticipated, but the project may be turned over to The Nature Conservancy (Swanson).
The Sioux River was identified by the Lake Superior Coastal Wetland Evaluation (Epstein 1997) as an aquatic priority site. The fauna was diverse, with 35 taxa present, four of which are rare. Caddisflies, mayflies and beetles were dominants. Management concerns noted included turbidity, low flow, filamentous algae and silt.
The water marked for higher production is located Northwest of Washburn and 13. Take C out of Washburn and Hwy 13. C will eventually cross the Sioux River. The area marked for better fishing is south of Cty Rd C. Check access maps.
Specific Map
Source & More Detail
Wisconsin Trout Stream Maps
Wisconsin Public Access Maps
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