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Brule River
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Unique Features
Brule River State Forest Conditions
Conditions as of Thursday, October 30, 2008:
Although Brule did not have any accumulation of snow, the snow coming down Monday, October 27, certainly looked like winter was on it's way. On Wednesday, the overnight temperature of 20 degrees Fahrenheit was cool enough to make a skim of ice on small ponds. Don't worry though, winter is not here yet...the extended weather forecast calls for milder conditions with high temperatures in the 50s and low temperatures in the 30s to 40s.
Nature
Tamarack trees are still putting on a show with their golden needles. They are beginning to shed their needles, though. They'll grow new ones in the spring.
Deer are seeking greens to eat now as killing frosts make the vegetation tastier to the deer.
River
Recent rain has brought the Bois Brule River back up to it's average flow of 143 cubic feet per second.
See the U.S. Geological Survey's page about the river [exit DNR] for provisional data about stream discharge, water level, precipitation, and water quality.
Fishing
Steelhead fishermen are still busy fishing for the "big one" before season close on November 15.
The inland trout season is closed. The Bois Brule River trout season is closed from its headwaters in Solon Springs to Highway 2 in Brule. The stretch of the Bois Brule River from Highway 2 to Lake Superior will remain open until November 15.
Trails
Remember that all-terrain vehicles are allowed only on designated routes or trails in the Brule River State Forest. They are not permitted on the logging roads.
Maps of designated ATV and snowmobile trails in Douglas County [exit DNR]
Camping
The Copper Range Campground has been full or nearly full on the last several weekends with the fishermen. There has been plenty of space available at the Bois Brule Campground for those campers looking for a little more solitude. Both campgrounds are open year-round. The main loops will be plowed clear of snow, but the sites are not plowed out, so winter campers will need four-wheel drive vehicles or some good shovels to camp when the snow gets deep.
Brule River State Forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served. Visitors are reminded that sites are designed to accommodate no more than two vehicles and six people. See new firewood rules and general burning regulations.
Camping is limited to the two campgrounds. Back country camping permits (required for the North Country Trail) are available at the Brule office. Camping is not permitted on the beach along Lake Superior in the Bear Beach State Natural Area.
There is a nightly fee (per site) for camping, and campers also must have daily or annual vehicle admission stickers. The camping fees are:
- Resident $9 per site per night
- Non-Resident $11 per site per night
Instructions for registering are at campground entrances.
Firewood originating outside of Wisconsin or more than 50 miles away within Wisconsin is prohibited in our campgrounds. Firewood is a prime mover of the emerald ash borer and several other forest pests. Several businesses in and around Brule sell firewood from local trees. Buying local firewood is the best way of slowing the spread of exotic forest pests from coming into the Brule River State Forest.
Public Meeting
The Brule River State Forest fall annual public meeting will be held on November 13, 2008, at 7 p.m. at the Brule Town Hall.
More Conditions
Fire
danger conditions
Road
Conditions [exit DNR]
Weather [exit DNR]
Brule River State Forest Information: Phone (715) 372-5678 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or e-mail Catherine Khalar.
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