Brule River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows

River History

The Brule (pronounced "BROO-lee," from the French brûlé, "burnt") begins at Brule Lake just inside Michigan and winds east and southeast for 52.3 miles, forming the Michigan–Wisconsin border for nearly its entire course — Iron County, Michigan on one side, Forest and Florence counties, Wisconsin on the other. Do not confuse it with the Bois Brule River of Douglas County, Wisconsin, which flows north to Lake Superior through the Brule River State Forest; our Brule is the southern one, a Menominee River headwater that joins the Michigamme River to form the Menominee and ultimately reaches Lake Michigan. The river's dependable flow comes from its largely undeveloped, spring-fed watershed, and much of the land on both banks remains publicly owned.

Like the rest of the Upper Menominee country, the Brule valley was logged in the pine era and later harnessed for power: a single hydroelectric dam — the Brule Project (FERC P-2431), built by Wisconsin Electric in 1919 — sits on Brule Island near the river's mouth, just below the Paint River confluence, impounding the Brule River Flowage. The upper river has long been prized as trout water and is stocked with brook and brown trout, while its reliable summer flows and spread-out access points made it one of the classic multi-day canoe trips of the western U.P. — about 45 miles of documented paddling broken into three day-long reaches.

Interactive River Map

Tap a pin for details. Pinch or use the + / – buttons to zoom.

• Launch / take-out
• Dam / portage
• USGS gage
• Camping

Pins marked (approx.) are approximate — confirm exact launch spots before a club trip.

River Overview

Headwaters

The Brule rises at Brule Lake in Iron County, Michigan, and winds east and southeast along the state line to its confluence with the Michigamme River — the meeting of the two forms the Menominee River. Its flow is notably reliable compared with neighboring rivers, thanks to an "untouched" watershed of forest, wetlands and springs.

Character by Section

Segment B1 — Brule River Campground to the M-189/WIS-139 bridge (14.5 mi): Class I water dropping 115 feet (8.4 ft/mi), a 6–7 hour paddle through undeveloped forest — the classic first day. Segment B2 — M-189/WIS-139 to Forest Road 2150 (16.2 mi): Class I–II, 120 feet of drop (7.5 ft/mi), 6–8 hours, with more riffles and small rapids. Segment B3 — Forest Road 2150 to the Brule River Flowage (14.3 mi): Class I–II, 123 feet of drop (8.7 ft/mi), 6–8 hours, ending at the impoundment above the Brule dam. (Segment data: Wisconsin Trail Guide.)

USGS Flow & Water Conditions

Primary USGS Gage

Station

04060993 — Brule River at US Highway 2 near Florence, WI

Status

Active — continuous data through October 2026; daily record back to 1914

Use

The reference gage for all three paddling segments (minimum 220 cfs / 3.5 ft)

USGS Interactive Map

Explore every USGS stream gage on and near the river. Tap a site for live flow and gage height.

Additional Gages

• Historical: 04061000 — Brule River near Florence, WI (daily record 1914–1994, discontinued)

Water-Level Considerations

Typical Water Temperature

Spring: cold, in the 40s °F. Summer: cool and spring-fed, typically in the 60s — comfortable for trout, chilly for swimmers. Fall: dropping fast after September. Dress for cold-water immersion through June.

Paddling Character

Recommended Boats

• Recreational kayak
• Touring kayak
• Canoe
• Whitewater-capable boat (B2/B3 at higher water)

Best Conditions

Flows at or above the 220 cfs / 3.5 ft minimum, warm air, and a full day's food and water — each segment is a 6–8 hour commitment with no development along the banks.

Potential Hazards

• Class I–II rapids
• Strainers & sweepers
• Brule dam at Brule Island
• Cold water
• Remote — no easy exits
• Border-river logistics
• Anglers & drift boats

Difficulty note: this guide uses the club's 1–4 scale (1 Beginner, 2 Intermediate, 3 Expert, 4 Professional). The Brule rates a 2 — the rapids are modest, but the remoteness, length of each day, and cold water keep it out of beginner territory.

Michigan Water Trails

No designated Michigan Water Trail is listed for the Brule River on michiganwatertrails.org. The river's paddling documentation comes from the Wisconsin Trail Guide's three segment guides (B1–B3) and U.S. Forest Service information out of Florence, WI (715-528-4464).

Access sites on designated water trails appear on each trail's live map at michiganwatertrails.org.

Dams & Portages

A single dam affects the whole river — the Brule Project on Brule Island near the mouth, just below the Paint River confluence. Plan the portage before the trip; the take-out for Segment B3 is the Brule River Flowage above the dam.

Public Kayak & Canoe Launches

Access points are the segment boundaries from the Wisconsin Trail Guide plus the river's source and mouth. Much of the shoreline is public land; confirm parking and carry routes locally. Coordinates are approximate.

Segment mileages and paddle times from the Wisconsin Trail Guide (B1–B3). Each segment is a full day — plan shuttles accordingly.

Camping

Much of the land on both sides of the Brule is publicly owned, and good riverside campsites are available along the paddle — which is what makes the three-segment, multi-day trip work. Dispersed camping on national forest land follows the forest's current orders (stay limits, setbacks from water); confirm with the Florence ranger district before the trip.

Wildlife & Fishing

• Bald eagles
• Osprey
• Great blue herons
• White-tailed deer
• Black bear
• River otters
• Beavers
• Loons

Fish Species

Brook trout and brown trout (stocked) in the upper river and tributaries; smallmouth bass and northern pike abundant in the lower sections

Seasons & Regulations

Trout seasons, size and bag limits follow Michigan and Wisconsin regulations — you are on the state line, so know which state's rules apply where you fish. Check both DNRs' current guides.

Fish Consumption

Check the current MDHHS Eat Safe Fish guide (and Wisconsin's advisories) for the Menominee River watershed before keeping fish.

Safety

Required / Recommended Gear

• PFD worn at all times
• Paddle + spare
• Whistle
• Bilge pump
• Dry bag
• First-aid kit
• GPS / navigation
• Emergency communication
• Cold-water protection
• Throw rope

River-Specific Concerns

This is a true wilderness river: each segment is a 6–8 hour day with no towns, no easy exits and no cell service in much of the valley. Water stays cold all summer. Strainers are the main hazard — scout rapids and tight bends. At the end of Segment B3, take out at the Brule River Flowage well above the Brule dam; never drift toward Brule Island. Because the river is the state line, a 911 call may route to either Michigan or Wisconsin dispatch — give your location by the nearest bridge, forest road or segment landmark.

Best Time & Access

Best Months

June through September; May can be good with cold-water gear

Spring

Reliable flows but cold water and possible high water — experienced paddlers only.

Summer

Prime season; the Brule's dependable watershed keeps it runnable when other rivers drop. Black flies and mosquitoes in June.

Fall

Quiet, scenic, cold — great color, dropping water temperatures.

Winter

Ice and extreme cold — not a paddling season.

Crowds & Tubing

Very light use; you may have the river to yourself midweek.

Hunting Seasons

Firearm deer season runs Nov 15–30 in Michigan (Wisconsin dates differ — check both states). Wear blaze orange on shore in hunting season.

Shuttle & Livery

No liveries found on the Brule — plan a self-shuttle; each segment needs its own car spot.

Parking Passes

National forest sites may require a day-use fee; confirm with the Florence ranger district.

Local Rules

You are paddling the Michigan–Wisconsin state line — watercraft registration and fishing regulations follow your state of launch/registration; know both states' rules.