Brule River Kayaking Guide

The Brule River is a 52.3-mile river whose course forms nearly the entire boundary between Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin. It begins at the outlet of Brule Lake, flows generally south and east, and joins the Michigamme River to form the Menominee River. Most of the Michigan side of the river passes through state and commercial forest land, with the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest along much of the Wisconsin shore.

The Brule is a well-established canoe and kayak river: mostly quiet water with a few short rapids, gentle gradient, and roadside access points along its length. Local and agency paddling references describe roughly 45 miles of commonly paddled water, broken into floats between the M-73 and M-189 bridges and on to Scott Lake. At low water the river runs shallow in places and paddlers may have to drag short stretches.

Brook trout, brown trout, northern pike, and smallmouth bass all live in the Brule, and the Michigan DNR highlights the river in its Trout Trails series. Wildlife sightings along the river are common, and the remote, forested corridor makes it one of the finest multi-day canoe trips in the western Upper Peninsula.

Paddling the Brule River

M-73 Bridge to M-189 Bridge (~15 miles)

The M-73 bridge launch sits at 46.032439, -88.797252, with roadside parking; the M-73-to-M-189 float is a documented 15-mile section of mostly quiet water with a low gradient. A few short rapids occur near the Pentoga (Forest Road 2446) bridge above M-189. In low water this reach runs shallow in spots and you may need to drag your boat.

M-189 Bridge to Scott Lake (~8 miles)

The M-189 access (45.9877, -88.652396) has a small parking area and a canoe platform on the Wisconsin side. Below M-189 the river stays quiet and gentle for a documented 8-mile float to Scott Lake (46.03085, -88.553658), making it a good beginner-friendly day trip or the start of a longer downstream journey.

Scott Lake to the Michigamme River

Below Scott Lake the Brule continues east through remote forest to its confluence with the Michigamme River. There is a dam affecting water level on Brule Island just below the Paint River confluence — portage or take out around it. Beyond the confluence the water becomes the Menominee River heading toward Lake Michigan.

Hazards & Portages

The Brule's hazards are mild but real: shallow riffles and shoals that require dragging in low water, occasional deadfall and sweepers in the quiet reaches, and a dam on Brule Island below the Paint River confluence that must be portaged. Spring high water raises speed and can push boats into shoreline timber. Treat every downed tree as a potential strainer.

Access & Parking

The documented accesses are the M-73 bridge (roadside parking), the M-189 bridge (small parking area with canoe platform on the Wisconsin side), and Scott Lake. Access between these points is limited and the banks are largely undeveloped forest, so plan put-ins and take-outs before you launch.

Map

Map: Brule River near the M-189 bridge access.